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GEORGE SELWYN
AND
HIS CONTEMPORARIES.
VOL. III.
y^^-
^^5Z^
GEORGE SELWYN
AND
HIS CONTEMPORARIES;
WITH MEMOIRS AND NOTES.
BY JOHN HENEAGE JESSE,
AUTHOR OF
" MEMOIRS OF THE COURT OF ENGLAND DURING THE REIGN
OF THE STUARTS," AND " THE COURT OF ENGLAND UNDER THE
HOUSES OF NASSAU AND HANOVER."
VOL. III.
LONDON:
RICHARD BENTLEY, NEW BURLINGTON STREET, fhiblfafycr m ©rtutarj) to f^ci- {Hajcstn.
1844.
London :
Printed by S. & J. Bentley, Wilson, and Fley,
Bangor House, Shoe Lane.
5U
s- i
LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SANTA BARBARA
\J
J
GEORGE SELWYN
AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.
GILLY WILLIAMS TO GEORGE SELWYN.
L'Hotel du Pare Royal, Dec. 13, 1770. DEAR SELWYN,
I am vastly obliged to you for your letter. You cannot imagine how happy I always am to hear from England, especially the kind of news you write me. People are very good to endeavour to account for my journey to Paris : I am sure I have not been very well able to account for it myself. I am very glad to hear that Harry St. John goes this way to Minorca. I am afraid he will be very unhappy, but absence, perhaps, may be a good thing for him. I do not suppose, however, that he will set out unless war is declared. Within these three days, a report has got about that war was declared in England on the 5th, and that I brought this news over.
VOL. III. B
2 GILLY WILLIAMS.
Madame du Deffand is very well, and desires me to tell you that she is convinced you have a heart inaccessible a Vamitie. She seems to like me rather better than she used. I do not mean that she ever had an aversion to me, but I always found myself treated in that set, as a jeune garfon, qui ?i'avoit point encore Vliabitude du monde. Faith ! there may have been some ground for it. I mean to invite myself to meet her on Sunday at Lord Harcourt's,* and I am to hear the messe de minuit at her house.
There is the devil to pay here between the King and the Parliament. The King held a lit de justice last week, in order to cause an edict to be registered, which the Parliament has refused to register. The edict was to restrain the privilege of remonstrating in Parliament. They yesterday sent the premier President to desire the King to annul the edict, or accept of all their resignations. The King's answer is not yet known.
P.S. The King has refused to give an answer till the Parliament ait repris ses fonctions.
* Simon, second Viscount, and first Earl of Harcourt, was twenty-seventh in paternal descent from Bernard, Lord of Har- court, in Normandy. In 1751, he was appointed Governor to George the Third, then Prince of Wales ; in 1761 he was nominated Ambassador Extraordinary, to demand the Princess Charlotte of Mecklenburgh Strelitz, in marriage for that monarch ; and, in 1772, was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. He lost his life, on the 10th of September 1777, by falling into a well in his own park at Nuneham. His titles became extinct in 1S30, on the death of his second son, William Harcourt, third Earl.
THE HON. II. ST. JOHN. 3
THE HON. HENRY ST. JOHN TO GEORGE SELWYN.
Paris, December 22nd, 1770. MY DEAR GEORGE,
I arrived here at live o'clock in the morning, last Sunday ; had a fine passage of less than three hours ; and travelled with the Prince de Nassau from Calais, without stopping till we got here, in the most abominable weather I ever saw. It scarce ever ceased raining during the two nights and one day we were on the road, and the servants were half dead with the soaking and fatigue they underwent.
I must tell you a droll accident we met with on the road. The Prince and I were asleep in the chaise, and were waked with the noise of something cracking. On looking out of the window we found ourselves accroche to a waggon, with the wheel of our chaise buried in a Iaro*e box that huno- over the waggon. By the excessive despair and misery which the poor waggoner testified, on this unlucky rencontre, I guessed we had done some great mis- chief; and, on enquiry, found the waggon was loaded with glasses for Monsieur de Guigne in England, and that our wheel had run so deep into the box that we must have destroyed two or three at least, and we were half an hour before we could dis- entangle ourselves. I was heartily tired of my compagnon de voyage, and glad to get rid of him.
B 2
4 THE HON. HENRY ST. JOHN
I have executed your commissions to the best of my power, and with great pleasure. Madame Poirier says your tables will be ready in a fortnight, and sent you without fail. I have bought just such a pair of stone buckles as you wanted, at TeniereX and I think your night-gown, a dauphine, is pretty : it is of the colours you desired, and costs five louis and a half. Monsieur l'Auguste says you are very capricious in having refused having the box made so long, and at last determining on it. He says he cannot possibly make it in less than three months, having so much business on his hands, and that he will give you a lettre d'avis before he sends it to you. Chevalier Lambert has orders to pay all these things ; your box, he tells me, will cost about sixty louis.
I beg you will give my best compliments to Lord March, and tell him I have obeyed his orders in regard to his coat. I have chosen a pretty silk, as I think it, and a chenille embroidery, a7ialogue to the fourrure, with olives, &c.
Lord Robert does not know where he shall go, and is loaded already, he says, with commissions. I carried Madame Fagniani's letter to Madame Thierz, marchande de gaze. She said she could not make the gaze, according to the pattern she sent, in less than six weeks or two months ; I did not therefore order it to be made, not knowing whether Madame Fagniani could wait ; so that, if she chooses to have it made, she may by writing two words to the
TO GEORGE SELWYN. O
marchande. You will inform Lord March of this, as he gave me the commission.
Nobody whom I know is here but Lord Robert, and the great Earl of Farnham,* who told me yesterday he had resolved on staying here till next March. He talks much of the accueil he receives in this country, and is determined not to protect Madame du Barry f too much, for fear of giving
* Robert, first Earl of Farnham. He died November 16th, 1769.
t The celebrated mistress of Louis XV. This beautiful woman (who, previous to her becoming the royal mistress, had led a life of profligacy in Paris) was a person of mean birth, and had recently been under the protection of the Comte du Barry, who, in order to advance his own fortunes and those of his mistress, had contrived to have her thrown in the King's way. She shortly obtained so great an influence over her royal lover that he consented to receive her publicly at court. In order, however, to effect this purpose, it was necessary to confer on her a certain rank by marriage ; and, accordingly, Du Barry produced his younger brother, Count Guillaume du Barry, who was complaisant enough to lead her to the altar, at the expense of his own degradation. Horace Walpole, who saw her in September 1769, in the royal chapel at Versailles, observes, " Madame du Barry arrived over against us below, without rouge, without powder, and indeed sans avoir fait sa toilette; an odd appearance, as she was so conspicuous, close to the altar, and amidst both court and people. She is pretty, when you consider her ; yet so little striking, that I never should have asked who she was. There is nothing bold, assuming, or affected in her manner. Her husband's sister was along with her. In the tribune above, surrounded by prelates, was the amorous and still handsome King. One could not help smiling at the mixture of piety, pomp, and carnality." — Letters, vol. iv. p. 256.
6 THE HON. HENRY ST. JOHN
jealousy to his friend Monsieur de Choiseul.* War is not believed in here as much as at London. I never remember being so discontented in mind, in my whole life, as I am at this moment. However improper such language may be from a military man, I pray for a peace, and a quick return to England. I wait only for my baggage from Calais, and intend setting out on my melancholy journey quite alone, next Tuesday. It will take me near a fortnight going to Marseilles : then comes the melancholy passage to Mali on ; then the charming sefour of Minorca; so that I have an agreeable series of pleasures before me.
Sunday night, December 23rd.
The post goes to-morrow, so I must close my letter. My intention is still to set out on Tuesday, provided I hear to-morrow from England.
Nothing remarkable since I wrote the above, so adieu, my dear George. Ever yours sincerely,
H. St. John.
THE HON. HENRY ST. JOHN TO GEORGE SELWYN.
Mahon, February 19th, 1771. MY DEAR GEORGE,
Your last letter came very opportunely, and brought me the most acceptable news I ever
* In the course of this month the Due de Choiseul, by means of the intrigues of Madame du Barry, was driven from office and power, and ordered to retire to his chateau at Chanteloup.
TO GEORGE SELWYN. 7
had, — that of a peace. You may probably have expected to see me in England by the time you receive this ; but my governor, Jack Mostyn,* has desired me to put off my departure till another packet, (about a month, perhaps,) till he has a second confirmation of the peace, and thinks himself at liberty to grant leave of absence to officers under his command. As I am now se- cure of going home, I do not grudge staying here a little longer, though I pass the dullest life pos- sible, and long impatiently to be among my friends again.
Our present Governor talks of staying here some years. He has found out the sweets of his govern- ment, and intends to enjoy them, though at the expense of leaving old White's, which you know was his darling pleasure. In lieu, however, of that loss, he has established a W Jute's in this town, called a whist club, which meets every evening, of which I am the president for the first week, in order to regulate forms, &c. It is composed of the officers of the garrison ; and, what happens to be droll, the man, at whose house we meet, happens to be called White. Entre nous, it is thought very properly by the gentlemen of the garrison, that he had better have assembled them every evening at his own house, where it has always been customary for governors to see company every evening, than
* Lieutenant- General John Mostyn. He was advanced to the rank of General in May the following year.
8 THE HON. HENRY ST. JOHN
to meet them at a public-house, where every officer pays for what he wants, as well as the Governor.
Johnston and Lady Cecilia,* the deposed gran- dees of this island, bear, and indeed are forced to bear, their being superseded, with better temper than I could have suspected ; but he has got a regiment of dragoons given him, to make up for the loss of the government. I have given you more than I believe you desire of Minorca news ; but, did I not send such sort of stuff, I should have little to say. I have enjoyed very good health here, and the climate is very fine, though I fre- quently complain of its being too hot even at this time of year. We have natural roses in profusion, and yesterday I ate very fine green peas.
We have Lord George and Lady Louisa Len- nox f here, who seem to like this place exceed- ingly. She lives among the officers — the only woman, and has more of the man than the woman in her manner of life. That sort of indelicacy suits very ill with any woman, and less so with a woman of fashion. She is, however, in general, popular and well-liked, from her affability and good humour. I am on a civil and good footing with them, but I avoid intimacies.
* See ante, July 21, 1768.
-f- Lord George Henry Lennox, a general in the army, was second son of Charles second Duke of Richmond. He married, in 1759, Louisa, daughter of William Ker fourth Marquis of Lothian, by whom he was the father of Charles, who succeeded in 1806 as fourth Duke of Richmond.
TO (JEORGE SELWYN. 9
We have had a report here, but God forbid it be true ! that, notwithstanding the pacification lately signed by us and Spain, there is a probability of a rupture ; but I do not believe it, after the formal declaration of peace made by our Ministers to the Parliament. How are people pleased with the terms in England ? I mean the majority, and not the canaille.* I suppose there scarcely remains a shadow of an Opposition, after taking so many of them into place. Great preferment in the law ; but I hear of none in the military, or at court, which would more immediately interest me.
I live, as I have now lived this long time, upon hopes ; I wish I had something more solid ; but, at this instant of time, I am so happy with the pros- pect of being in England in two months, that I scarcely think of other disappointments. I think I may probably be at Paris, if no unforeseen acci- dent occurs, about the middle of April, where I shall be glad to receive your commands. Adieu, my dear George ! You say a hundred flattering things of me, which I can assure you are very satisfactory to me, though I cannot think I deserve them ; but I should not enjoy those sentiments
* The famous dispute between England and Spain, relative to the Falkland Islands, had recently been brought to an amicable termination. However, in consequence of the Governor of Buenos Ayres having subsequently despatched an armed force to dispossess the English of Port Egmont, it was generally appre- hended in England that our peaceable relations with Spain would be again disturbed, and that war would be the infallible result.
10 THE RIGHT HON. C. J. FOX.
you express for me, were I not satisfied you knew I entertained the same friendship and regard for you, which I profess I do and always shall. Yours most affectionately,
H. St. John.
THE RIGHT HON. C. J. FOX TO GEORGE SELWYN.
Kingsgate, August 23, 1771. DEAR GEORGE,
I am excessively concerned at poor Keber's melancholy end. It is very well Lady Carlisle was not more frightened, and indeed she shewed more than common resolution in not being so, for I can conceive nothing more shocking.
My father continues much the same. He desires me to tell you, there is a statue here very like Lord Gower, and not the less so for being good for nothing. He was troubled with a tooth-ache soon after I wrote to you last, which gave him a good deal of inconvenience ; but that is now gone, and I really think him very tolerably well, and more cheerful at times than I have seen him for a great while. The cause you assign for his being in better spirits, and what follows in your letter, look as if the flattering scheme you practised upon me at Castle Howard was not over ; but you know I declared my opinion upon that subject, and the oftener you play me that trick the better I shall like it.
THE EARL OF MARCH. 11
Stephen and Lady Mary have by this time left Spa for Strasburg, where they leave Harry,* and then proceed to Paris. Pray remember you promised to let me know whenever Lady Carlisle is brought to bed. You had better direct to me at the Ad- miralty, f My love to Carlisle, and tell him we have a cricket party here, at which I am very near the best player, so he may judge of the rest.
I am reading Clarendon, but scarcely get on faster than you did with your Charles the Fifth. I think the style bad, and that he has a good deal of the old woman in his way of thinking, but hate the opposite party so much that it gives one a kind of partiality for him4 My best respects to Lady Carlisle. I am, my dear George,
Yours, ever most affectionately, C. J. Fox.
THE EARL OF MARCH TO GEORGE SELWYN.
White's, Monday night, past 1 1 o'clock. [25 Aug. 1771.]
Last night Madame Fagniani was brought to
bed of a girl. J They wished it had been a boy ;
* Younger brother of Charles Fox. See ante, vol. ii. p. 263.
j Charles Fox was at that period a Lord of the Admiralty.
J This is a very curious passage from the pen of Charles Fox.
§ The present Marchioness of Hertford, and the child in whose welfare and happiness the affections of Selwyn were after- wards so deeply and mysteriously engaged.
12 THE EARL OF MARCH.
however, cette petite prhicesse heritera les Mens de la famille ; so that they are all very happy. She is vastly so to have it all over, and to find her- self quite well after having suffered a great deal, which I believe women always do on these occa- sions, but particularly with their first child.
I dined to-day with the Spanish Ambassador. Pembroke, Hamilton, and myself were the only Englishmen, and Mrs. Hamilton, and the beauti- ful Mrs. Matthews, and Madame Pouskin, the women ; the rest, foreign ministers. I saw Lady Townshend the other day airing in Hyde Park. She made a great many enquiries about you, with all the usual affectation. She says that you will perform Dr. Hunter's * part better than you would Lord Carlisle's.
Poor James is confined with an inflammation in his gums, that gives him a great deal of pain. I have had something of that sort though with- out pain, which put me in danger of losing two of my fore teeth. I have given March fifty guineas to cure me, which he promises to do, and I believe will perform. As I consider this a very serious thing, I shall give him a fair trial, and as I find
* Dr. William Hunter, the celebrated anatomist and surgeon- accoucheur. He died on the 30th of March, 1783. In his last moments he observed to his friend Dr. Combe : " If I had strength enough to hold a pen, I would write how easy and pleasant a thing it is to die."
THE HON. HORACE WALPOE. 13
myself much better, I have no doubt of getting perfectly well, though I have been very much alarmed, and not without reason. Pray make my best compliments to Carlisle; I am sorry to hear that he has had such bad success at York. Adieu ! my dear George,
Yours very sincerely and affectionately,
March & R. P.S. Lord Harrington is returned. The water at Paris almost killed him ; he thinks, if he had continued there, that he certainly should have died.
THE HON. HORACE WALPOLE TO GEORGE SELWYN.
[The identity of " Raton and Rosette," in the following lively letter, at first somewhat puzzled the editor; indeed, he was compelled to exercise his ingenuity for a considerable time before he discovered that the hero and heroine of the piece were, in fact, the respective dogs of Selwyn and Horace Walpole. It was, perhaps, rather a curious coincidence, that a light dramatic entertainment, entitled " Raton et Rosette," had recently been produced at the Comtdie Italienne at Paris. A printed copy of the Journal des Spectacles for 28 August, 1771, was enclosed in Walpole's letter, in which, under the head of La Comedie Italienne, appears the following lively bill of fare : —
14 THE HON. HORACE WALPOLE.
Raton et Rosette, Parodie remise au Theatre,
Avec ses Agremens ;
Precedee Du Marechal.
On prendra 6 Iw. et
Demain la troisieme Representation
Des Deux Miliciens,
Comedie nouvelle en un Acte.
Suivi d'un Divertissement,
Precedee
Des Intrigues d'Arlequin,
Piece Italienne.
On commencera a. cinq heures et un quart.]
Strawberry Hill, Sept. 9, 1771. Who would ever have thought that Raton and Rosette would be talked of for one another ? But neither innocence nor age are secure ! People say that there never is a smoke without some fire : here is a striking proof to the contrary. Only think of the poor dear souls having a comic opera made upon their loves ! Rosette is so shocked that she insists upon Raton's posting to Paris, and breaking the poet's bones ; sauf a les ronger apres. If he is a preuoc chevalier, he will vindi- cate her character, d'une maniere eclatante. Do not tell me that you are lying-in and cannot spare him ; I am sure you are so fond of your little girl, that you will not miss him.
Have you heard the last adventure of the fiancee du Roi de Garbe ? She was seven years and a half at sea ; the captain of the packet-boat is tall, comely enough, and a very shark on such an oc-
LORD GRANTHAM. 15
easion. He snapped her up at once as voraciously as she did John Harding. They passed a week together at Calais, and he then consigned her over to a marching regiment at Ardres. Alfieri * told this story himself to Monsieur Frances, from whom I had it fresh. Alfieri's sentiments, that had re- sisted so many trials, could not digest this last chapter; he has given her up. I wish, when she has run the gauntlet through all the troops on the road to Paris, she may replace Madame du Barry, and prove la fiancee du Roi de France.^
Yours ever, H. WALroLE.
LORD GRANTHAM.
Thomas Robinson, second Baron Grantham, was bora at Vienna, November 30, 1738. In 1761 he was employed as Secretary of the Embassy at the Congress of Augsburg ; on the 1st of October, 1766, he was appointed a Commissioner of Trade and Plantations, and, at the period when this letter was written, was Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary at the Court of Madrid. He sub-
* Alfieri had recently visited England, where he had distin- guished himself by his numerous gallantries.
\ Walpole, of course, alludes to La Fontaine's lively tale la Fiancee du Roi de Garbe, in which la fiancee meets with several piquant and not very creditable adventures, on her way to meet le Roi de Garbe.
1G LORD GRANTHAM.
scquently succeeded Fox as Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in 1782. By his wife, Jemima, daughter and co-heir of Philip, second Earl of Hardwicke, he was the father of Thomas Philip and Frederick John, the present Earls De Grey and Ripon. Lord Grantham died on the 20th of July, 1786.
LORD GRANTHAM TO GEORGE SELWYN.
Escurial, 31st October, 1771. DEAR GEORGE,
I am delighted with your account of Carlisle and his family. You are pleased to call yourself an old Hun ; be it so : but I am glad you told me the little girl was handsome ; more because it is a proof of her health, than any pledge of future beauty. The very post before I received yours I had written to Carlisle. I hope he will sometimes let me hear from him, and I shall in my next desire him not to let you be idle. Thank you for thinking of fixing some scheme of rotation at the Club, for writing to me.
I really wish to know the true story of Richard's * winnings, and why they are to be concealed, unless the loser is afraid of his father, and the winner of his creditors. I fear James is not well; he does not give a good account of himself.
You ask me if there are good prints of Pe- noushen? I believe not, except you like Saints,
* Probably General Fitzpatrick.
THE EARL OF CARLISLE. 17
of whom there are innumerable, and there is one just published of the venerable Palafox, who ex- pects to be called up to that house very soon. The nourriture, which you hope agrees with me, is much better than I expected, and, what is re- markable, the sea-fish is as fresh here as on the coast. What does St. John do about Miss Ken- nedy?* Your account of Harry pleased me much; pray give my compliments to him. Believe me,
Most sincerely yours, Grantham.
THE EARL OF CARLISLE TO GEORGE SELWYN.
Friday. [Circ. Nov. 1771.] MY DEAR GEORGE,
We shall leave this place in about three weeks. I can assure you it will give me great pleasure to see you again. I think I can account for your headache after Lord Clermont's f dinner. I sup- pose, while they were talking of horses you drank all the red wine within your reach. I have made Mr. Car, of York, give me a plan for stables, of a
* This is apparently an allusion to the sister of the unfortunate Kennedys, in whose fate Mr. St. John had interested himself. See ante, vol. ii. p. 384.
t William Henry Fortescue, Earl of Clermont in Ireland, Knight of St. Patrick, and Governor of the county of Monaghan. He was born August 5th, 1722, and died at his house on the Steyne, at Brighton, September 30th, 1806.
VOL. III. C
18 THE EARL OF CARLISLE
very different kind from that of Mr. Chambers in point of expense.
This fine weather agrees with us all, particularly the little girl. I hear Mr. Delaval met the Duchess of Cumberland at Calais, and kissed her hand. She said it was disagreeable at first, but she should soon be used to it. Everybody here desires to be remem- bered to you. I am,
Yours most affectionately, C.
[The Duchess of Cumberland, alluded to in this letter, was Lady Anne Luttrell, daughter of the Earl of Carhampton, and widow of Christopher Horton, Esq., of Catton, in Derbyshire. She was married, on the 2nd of October, 1771, to Henry Frederic, Duke of Cumberland, brother of George the Third. Their union was first announced to the world in the public journals of the day, and caused so much annoyance to the King, that he imme- diately issued an order, forbidding the duke and duchess to appear at Court. A bill was subse- quently passed, which precluded any member of the royal family from contracting marriage under the age of twenty-five without the permission of the sovereign ; nor after that age, unless with the joint and express sanction of the sovereign and both Houses of Parliament, to whom the law com- pelled them to give due notification.]
TO GEORGE SELWYN. 19
THE EARL OF CARLISLE TO GEORGE SELWYN.
[1771.] MY DEAR GEORGE,
I have been out shooting till my hand shakes so that I can hardly hold the pen. I think Lord Robert's affair will be kept secret if he manages well, though too many people know it, not to have fears for him. The first word I saw in your letter this morning was " hazard," which made me tremble. Little Caroline* is very well, and shall thank you, as soon as she is able, for all your kindness to her. Did you see the adver- tisement in the papers to desire Lady Harrington would not disturb the audience at the play-house with her snuffling gabble ?
Lady Louisa is in doubt, whether she shall begin reading Locke, Blackstone, or Eden on the penal law. Lady Carlisle, Hare, &c, desire their compli- ments to you. I am, my dear George,
Yours most affectionately, &c. &c.
[Charles James Fox, of whom an interesting no- tice will be found in the following letter, Mas at this period rendering himself no less an object of won-
* Lady Caroline Howard, Lord Carlisle's eldest child ; the present Dowager Lady Cawdor. She was born September 3,
1771.
c 2
20 THE EARL OF CARUSLE
der and curiosity by the display of his extraordinary talents than by his wild profligacy and reckless ex- travagance. Gibbon, in a letter to Lord Sheffield of the 8th February, referring to the debate in the House of Commons relative to relieving the clergy from subscription to the Thirty-nine Articles, ob- serves : " I congratulate you on the late victory of our dear mamma, the Church of England, &c. By-the-by, Charles Fox prepared himself for that holy work, by passing twenty-two hours in the pious exercise of hazard ; his devotion cost him only about five hundred pounds an hour, — in all, eleven thousand pounds." Horace Walpole also writes to General Conway, on the 22nd of June : " I do not think I can find in Patin or Plato, nay, nor in Aristotle, a parallel case to Charles Fox : there are advertised to be sold more annuities of his and his society, to the amount of five hundred thou- sand pounds a-year ! I wonder what he will do next, when he has sold the estates of all his friends!"]
THE EARL OF CARLISLE TO GEORGE SELWYN. MY DEAR GEORGE,
Nothing that you can tell me of Charles can surprise me. When he is so perfectly neglectful of his own affairs, it is not to be expected that he will have attention to those of his friends. I am a little out of humour with him for not having
TO GEORGE SELWYN. 21
taken any notice of a paper T gave him before I left town. It is in relation to Morpeth, and he knows that it is of serious consequence to me. We seem to be settled here for life. Ekins is a great comfort to me. Lady Carlisle and Caroline are both the better for this air, sharp as it is.
I read Tacitus with Ekins.* His partiality would persuade me that I had not forgot his former in- structions. I believe he is too honest to flatter, but I know he loves me too much to have an unpre- judiced opinion about me.
T have been all clay out shooting. I have ate the more for Conty's arrival, and have drank with Ekins all the wine upon the table, in order to keep the gout off his stomach ; you will imagine therefore that I am rather inclined to sleep, which I have opposed to tell you how much I love you, and how- very earnestly I wish to see you. I think it would have been rather hard upon us to have had two monsieurs instead of one this Christmas. Little Caroline shall say "George" before we meet. Lady Carlisle desires to be remembered. I am, my dear George. Yours, &c. &c, Carlisle.
* The Rev. Jeffery Ekins. He had heen Lord Carlisle's tutor, and long afterwards lived on terms of intimacy with him. Some letters and notices of him will be found in the course of the sub- sequent correspondence.
22 VISCOUNT BOLINGBROKE.
VISCOUNT BOLINGBROKE TO GEORGE SELWYN.
Lord Bolingbroke is so well acquainted with Mr. Selwyn's politeness and desire to make people happy, that he thinks it incumbent on him to inform Mr. Selwyn, that two of the most agreeable vagabonds in this world may be made happy, by partaking of Mr. Selwyn's turkey, next Wednesday. He need not inform Mr. Selwyn that their names are Charles and Richard.*
THE EARL OF CARLISLE TO GEORGE SELWYN.
Castle Howard, Sunday. MY DEAR GEORGE,
I was made very happy to hear this morning that you approved of my conduct, not only in regard to a certain affair, but the manner in which the narrative is drawn ; and also that you found it in all respects consistent with the relation I had always given you.
I agree with Charles, (and I think my behaviour proves that I have made a great difference,) that this is not to be treated like a debt incurred later in life ; but I only want to know in what light I am
* Apparently Charles Fox and Richard Fitzpatrick.
THE EARL OE CARLISLE. '2o
to regard that transaction. You seem to under- stand me so well, and as you are as much master of the affair as I am, I need not bore you any more upon this subject.
It gives me great pain to hear that Charles begins to be unreasonably impatient at losing. I fear it is the prologue to much fretfulness of temper ; for disappointment in raising money, and any serious reflections upon his situation, will (in spite of his affected spirits and dissipation, which sit very well upon Richard,) occasion him many disagreeable moments. They will be the more painful, when he reflects that he is not following the natural bent of his genius ; for that would lead him to all serious inquiry and laudable pursuits, which he has in some measure neglected to hear Lord Bolingbroke's ap- plause, and now is obliged to have recourse to it and play, to hinder him from thinking how he has perverted the ends for which he was born. I believe there never was a person yet created who had the faculty of reasoning like him. His judg- ments are never wrong ; his decision is formed quicker than any man's I ever conversed with ; and he never seems to mistake but in his own affairs. It is fair to think that he will not give his reason fair play in his own case. It seems to be very extraordinary that he can make his understand- ing useful to the whole world, but will not upon any account permit it to be of service to himself; and for his own private affairs he borrows one of
24 THE EARL OF CARLISLE.
some of the fools who tell him it is impossible but that, any morning he chooses, he may set his affairs right again. When he tells you that he will not talk to you upon his circumstances, he is certainly right ; for if your head is not so much heated with chimerical schemes as his own, or if you are not prepared to hear of enchantment and miracles, you will never enter into his manner of reasoning-, or derive any comfort from those resources which he brings into his picture. These he would willingly think are very near and on the fore-ground, but which to every other eye must appear flung far back in the distance.
I have been attending little Caroline to her bed, which she does the honours of very divertingly. I thank you much for Stuart's book ; it appears very conclusive, if there was no other side of the ques- tion. I think Lord M.* a dirty dog, and I dare say twists the law about like a turnstile, as it is most convenient for his conduct and proceeding ; but I cannot but say it is a little hard, but that any speech in Parliament should draw upon the speaker of it an answer after three years' consideration : I think if Lord M. answers it, he is not bound to do it under six years.
Adieu ! my dear George ! I have written a very dull letter. I sometimes am determined never to think about Charles' affairs, or his conduct about them ; for they are like religion, the more one
'■'' Apparently Lord Mansfield.
THE HON. HENRY ST. JOHN. 25
thinks the more one is puzzled. The common way of acting-, both in regard to our friend and religion, is to cut the matter short ; to be perfectly indif- ferent wliat happens to the one, and to disbelieve everything in regard to the other. I am sure you know I love him too well to adopt the first, and 1 hope you will not think I cant, when I tell you the last is very far from my real senti- ments. Yours, &c. &c. Carlisle.
P.S. Little Caroline will travel with us to Lon- don. I mean this as a temptation to you to come down, or at least to meet us.
THE HON. HENRY ST. JOHN TO GEORGE SELWYN.
Da.ny Park, January 3. [1772. J DEAR GEORGE,
Your very obliging letter I have received, and thank you for it very heartily. You must know I can spend no hours more agreeably than those T pass with you and Williams, and it is a pleasure to me to remember those that are passed. You send me a melancholy reflection, that you believe we shall not often meet. I comfort myself with hopes, and the distant prospect of an interview in September is pleasing to me. By living alto- gether in the country I am become acquainted with temperance, chastity, and sobriety, and con-
26 THE EARL OF MARCH.
sequently enjoy perfect health ; and the state I am in (laugh at me if you will) affords me per- fect happiness.*
Though I am happy in my retirement, yet I am no churl to the world, and should be ex- tremely glad to pass some social hours with my former friends in it, if my friends would permit me to make the excursions you point out. My dear George, you remember when Charles Towns- hend put his foot on the first step of preferment, he proposed taking me in his hand. In all these changes and resignations, can you give an old friend a lift into 400/. or 500/. a-year ? Then will I rejoice with you, and, without it, I yet hope to laugh with you, for I am, with great truth,
Most affectionately yours, H. S.
THE EARL OF MARCH TO GEORGE SELWYN.
February. [1772.] MY DEAR GEORGE,
I thought that I should have heard from you before this. I set out on Friday or Saturday for Newmarket. I intend going to Rigby's for Ipswich races, to meet the Duke of Grafton,
* Colonel St. John had married, August 31, 1771, the eldest daughter of Colonel Thomas Bladen, sister to the Countess of Essex.
THE EARL OF CARLISLE. 27
Vernon, Panton, Bunbury, &c. We all go on Thursday se'night to Euston, and the week after- wards to Newmarket, for the July meeting.
There is no news. Everything is much as you left it. The Fish says that Colonel Crawford continues to lose, and that he complains he has no money, nor anything now remaining of all his riches but bad debts.
Adieu ! mon cher ami. Let me hear from you what you are doing, and how you are. The Spa- nish Ambassadrice breakfasted at my house this morning, and went with me to see the Queen's house, which was a great bore, but they liked it. I hear that Mrs. St. John is enceinte. I will write to you from Newmarket when I return, and may, perhaps, make you a visit at Matson. Adieu !
Almack's, Monday, after dinner. At dinner, Lord William, Sir W. Boothby, Lord George Cavendish, and myself. Bunbury gives a dinner to-day to the Duchess of Devonshire and Lady Melbourne.
THE EARL OF CARLISLE TO GEORGE SELWYN.
Castle Howard, July 12. [1772.] DEAR GEORGE,
I am very sorry we shall not have the plea- sure of your company at Castle Howard so soon
28 THE EARL OF CARLISLE
as we expected, but I hope Mr. Hawkins will not detain you any longer. I have not seen or heard from Hare* since I left London, which sur- prises me much. What is this melancholy event in Fitzwilliam's family ?f I have heard nothing of it. Perhaps Hare may be there, and may be of use to him in case anything has happened ; but then I think he would have written to me. His sisters were ill when I was at Milton.
Lady Carlisle, by Lady Gower's advice, begins to have thoughts of lying-in at Castle Howard. The journey may do her harm at that hot time of the year. It will be fixed by the time we see you. Pray remember me to Harry St. John. He knows how much I am interested about him, and how sincerely he has my wishes for his hap- piness. I am sure nobody deserves to be happy more than he.
I have hung up all my ancestors in the gallery. Some of them, like Lady Falmouth's, have been hung up before.:}: I should be glad the vin de grave
* James Hare, the " Hare with many friends." He was a contemporary of Lord Carlisle and Fox at Eton, and, in early life, was thought to give promise of greater talent than even Fox himself.
f The editor has been unable to discover that any " me- lancholy event " occurred in Lord Fitzwilliam's family at this period.
\ Hannah Katherine Maria (daughter of Thomas Smith, Esq., of Worplesdown, in Surrey, and widow of Richard Russel, Esq.), married, in 1736, Hugh Boscawen, second Viscount Fal-
TO GEORGE SELWYN. 29
might be sent to Castle Howard as soon as con- venient. I am, my dear George,
Yours, &c. Carlisle.
THE EARL OF CARLISLE TO GEORGE SELWYN.
Castle Howard, July lGth. [1772.] MY DEAR GEORGE,
I cannot help owning that your letter, which I had this morning, gave me a little vexation ; I mean that part of it which relates to Hare. When I left town, he seemed very desirous to come early to Castle Howard, and it really appeared to be his own choice to come. Then, and not before, I told him that it would be particularly agreeable to me this year, as Lady Carlisle's situation would make me want a companion in my rides and walks. I was very cautious to urge this before, as I thought his friendship for mo might induce him to put off something that might be more agreeable to him. As for Storer,* the case is very different. He never gave me reason to expect him at any par- ticular time. I hope in general I am not trouble- some to my friends in these matters. If I am, it
mouth. The point of Lord Carlisle's pleasantry, as regards Lord Falmouth's ancestry, is not clear.
* Anthony Morris Storer, the intimate friend of Lord Car- lisle, and his schoolfellow at Eton. Both Hare and Storer will be found playing conspicuous parts in the course of the sub- sequent correspondence.
30 THE EARL OF CARLISLE.
is you that spoil me by your attention. I trust you will not mention this to anybody. If I did not think Hare was set out, I believe I should keep this to myself till I saw you, lest you should endeavour to bring him contrary to his inclinations, which would be the last thing I should desire. I fear you will think me too eager in what may appear but a trifle, but the idea of being neglected by one whom I have always looked upon and always treated as the warmest friend, is very painful to me, and the more I consider it the more dis- agreeable reflections I find attend it. Perhaps this is the first time that Hare has had an opportunity, by a little attention, of returning the civilities that Lady Carlisle and myself have been always anxious to show him. But I will say no more about it, nor would I have said so much, if I had not been sure you will not hint it to any person breathing.
I hope you will not put off your journey. I shall expect you on Monday; not that I should judge you so severely if you did not come, for I am sure your inclination is to come here. Perhaps my manner of life, spending some hours of every day alone more than I have been accustomed to, may make anything of this kind appear rather in blacker colours than it would at any other time. I hope it is an imaginary vexation ; if so, a little conver- sation with you will be able to dispel it ; but, both in love and friendship, if you once pierce the skin you cannot avoid making a very painful wound.
THE HON. GENERAL FITZPATRICK. 31
You may be quite sure I shall do nothing more to the wing. It makes a very good lumber-room. I have hung up all the old portraits in it, to the great delight of Sheperdson. I think I have bored you enough. I could not help it, because my heart is full. I am, my dear George,
Yours most sincerely, Carlisle.
THE HON. GEN. FITZPATRICK TO GEORGE SELWYN.* DEAR GEORGE,
I am very sorry to hear the night ended so ill ; but, to give you some idea of the utter impossibility of my being useful upon the occasion, I will inform you of the state of my affairs. I won four hun- dred pounds last night, which was immediately appropriated to Mr. Martindale, to whom I still owe three hundred pounds, and I am in Brooks's books for thrice that sum. Add to all this, that at Christmas I expect an inundation of clamorous creditors, who, unless I somehow or other scrape together some money to satisfy them, will over- whelm me entirely. What can be done? If I could coin my heart, or drop my blood into drachms, I would do it, though by this time I should pro- bably have neither heart nor blood left. I am afraid you will find Stephen in the same state of insolvency. Adieu ! I am obliged to you for the
* See ante, vol. ii. p. 395.
32 THE MARCHIONESS FAGNIANT.
gentleness and moderation of your dun, consider- ing how long I have been your debtor.
Yours most sincerely, R. F.
THE MARCHIONESS FAGNIANI TO GEORGE SELWYN.
( Translation.)
31st July, 1772. MY VERY DEAR AND RESPECTABLE FRIEND,
I cannot find terms sufficiently expressive to thank you for all your kindness, and more parti- cularly for the pains you take in regard to my daughter. I can assure you that nothing is more sensibly felt by me than the proofs of friendship which I have received from you on this occasion. The more I know the world, the more I perceive the difficulty of finding a person who resembles you, and I consider myself the happiest of mortals, solely from the happiness I have had in forming your acquaintance, and obtaining your friendship.
I am enchanted in learning that my daughter is in good health, though I fear she will suffer much in cutting her teeth. I venture to beg of you to continue to give me tidings of her, as without your kindness in writing to me from time to time I should have been ignorant, for the last three months, of the fate of ma petite. My lord, on his part, is a little indolent, but I forgive him this little
LORD GRANTHAM. 33
fault on account of the many good qualities of his heart, which he has to counterbalance it.
I hope that your health is good. Pray present my compliments to Lord March, and tell him that I expect to hear from him. Preserve your friend- ship for me, and do not forget the most grateful and affectionate of all your friends, who makes it her duty and pleasure to be
Your very sincere servant and friend,
COSTANZA FAGNIANI.
LORD GRANTHAM* TO GEORGE SELWYN.
St. Ildefonso, 2nd August, 1772. DEAR GEORGE,
I have two very kind and long letters from you unanswered. Let me first give you joy of your recovery from your very disagreeable and dangerous illness ; and secondly entreat you to forgive my long silence. I address this at a venture, not knowing your summer plan, or how far it falls in with Car- lisle's tour. I beg, if Carlisle does not send me his printed verses, that you will; you may easily contrive to have them conveyed to Paris, and from thence, if recommended to Masserano or Fuentes, they will find their way here directly. I have sent for Fielding's Works ; for Tristram Shandy ; and have even spoken about a set of Hogarth's prints ;
* See ante, October 31st, 1771. VOL. III. D
34 LORD GRANTHAM
so precious do I hold English humour to be, es- pecially in a place where a hearty laugh is really a cordial ! This language I may freely hold to you now, as you are more of a " John" than I remem- ber you formerly.
We are now without any English here, those who passed the winter and spring here being gone. I was much disappointed at Lord Beauchamp's and Conway's dropping all thoughts of a visit to Spain; All I can promise a visitor is, a hearty welcome and a new scene, which I can now pretty well judge of, being within a very few days of finishing my first year in Spain. The time, though spent without any agrement, has not appeared long. Our vaga- bond life has served to make it seem shorter, and, upon the whole, we have been well informed of almost everything that has happened to, or related to, those whom we are most anxious about ; and here again I must repeat to you how sensibly I am obliged to you for collecting everything of that kind in your letters to me.
The place we are now at is, in my opinion, very fine indeed ; surrounded with woods and rocks, and watered with streams as crystalline as any poet could fancy or describe. We live in a small farm-house, and can go as far as eight covers with Staffordshire ware. The ministers keep public tables, but they are only resources where one has no house or house- hold. These I pay a proper attention to, but dine at home three times a week at least. It does not
TO GEORGE SELWYN. 35
become me to speak of my own table, but I may go so far as to say, I like my own cook better than anybody else's.
A nephew of the Neapolitan ambassador here goes away to-night, and will soon be in England. He is a Prince Raffadali. Some months hence I shall pro- bably trouble some of my friends with recommenda- tions of Count Fernan Nunez, to whom I shall with pleasure do any good office : you will perhaps call this a retainer. I hope you will know him. I am very likely to trouble March upon this account. I beg my best compliments to him. I was not at all surprised to hear from you that you had received real marks of his friendship for you during your illness. We have here a Due d'Havre and a M. Mont- pelier; the former has Flemish relations here, and is himself a grandee, and a bore. He is nephew to the Prince of Croy, — but I beg pardon for telling you who any Frenchman's uncle is, as you have their genealogy by heart.
At this time of the year I can say nothing of the club, who are probably dispersed and distressed all over the face of the country. Whatever scattered anecdotes you can pick up of them I shall be very glad to have. I beg occasionally to be remembered to any of them, and to assure you that one of the pleasures which I look forward to is that of seeing them altogether again. If you lived in this country you would not think this a great compliment ; but you may be assured that, even in England, I rejoice
D 2
36 THE HON. HORACE WALPOLE .
at every occasion in which I can tell you how sin- cerely I am, Yours, Grantham.
P.S. My brother desires his best compliments to you.
THE HON. HORACE WALPOLE TO GEORGE SELWYN.
York, Aug. 12th, 1772. DEAR GEORGE,
I love to please you when it is in my power, and how can I please you more than by commend- ing Castle Howard ? for though it is not the house that Jack built, yet you love even the cow with the crumpled horn that feeds in the meadow that belongs to the house that Jack's grandfather built. Indeed, I can say with exact truth, that I never was so agreeably astonished in my days as with the first vision of the whole place. I had heard of Vanbrugh, and how Sir Thomas Robinson and he stood spitting and swearing at one another; nay, I had heard of glorious views, and Lord Straf- ford alone had told me I should see one of the finest places in Yorkshire ; but nobody, no, not votre partialite, as Louis Quatorze would have called you, had informed me that I should at one view see a palace, a town, a fortified city, temples on high places, woods worthy of being each a metropolis of the Druids, vales connected to hills by other woods, the noblest lawn in the world fenced by half the horizon, and a mausoleum that would
TO GEORGE SELWYN. 37
tempt one to be buried alive ; in short, I have seen gigantic places before, but never a sublime one. For the house, Vanbrugh has even shown taste in its extent and cupolas, and has mercifully omitted ponderosity. Sir Thomas's front is beau- tiful without, and except in one or two spots, has not a bad effect, and I think, without much effort of genius, or much expense, might be tolerably harmonized with the rest. The spaces within are noble, and were wanted ; even the hall being too small. Now I am got into the hall, I must beg, when you are in it next, to read Lord Carlisle's verses on Gray,* and then write somewhere under the story of Phaeton these lines, which I ought to have made extempore, but did not till I was half way back hither:
Carlisle, expunge the form of Phaeton ; Assume the car, and grace it with thy own, For Phcebus owns in thee no falling son.
Oh ! George, were I such a poet as your friend, and possessed such a Parnassus, I would instantly scratch my name out of the buttery-book of Al- mack's ; be admitted, ad eundem, among the muses ; and save every doit to lay out in making a Helicon, and finishing my palace.
I found my Lord Northampton :f his name is on
* See ante, vol. ii. p. 137.
+ Henry Howard, Earl of Northampton, so celebrated for his share in the murder of Sir Thomas Overbury, died June 15th, 1614.
38 THE HON. HORACE WALPOLE
his picture, though they showed me his nephew Suffolk's portrait, who was much fatter, for his. There is a delicious whole-length of Queen Mary, with all her folly in her face and her hand, and a thousand other things, which I long to talk over with you. When you write to Spa, pray thank Lord Carlisle for the great civilities I received here. The housekeeper showed me and told me every- thing, and even was so kind as to fetch Rosette a bason of water, which completed the conquest of my heart. Wine I was offered, and fruit was heaped on me, and even dinner was tendered ; in short, I never passed a day more to my content. I only wanted you, and I should have been as happy as I was at Iceaux ; you know my ecstasies when I am really pleased. By the end of next week I shall be in town, and hope to find you there, that we may satisfy both ourselves with larger details. When I mentioned the attentions paid to me, I am ungrateful to forget the sun, who was com- plaisance itself, shone all day, gilt an hundred haycocks that were spread over the great lawn, and illuminated the mausoleum during my dinner. And now, will you tell me that Lord Carlisle is not nearer related to him than some folks thought ? Let me tell you, this is much better authenticated than his lordship's priority to Howard of Corbie, in which you are mistaken, and so good night.
Yours most cordially, Hor. Walpole.
TO GEORGE SELWYN. 39
THE HON. HORACE WALPOLE TO GEORGE SELWYN.
Monday night, !) o'clock. DEAR SIR,
I am so much enjoined silence, that it is the more necessary for me to speak to you. I am utterly incapable of writing to Paris : I have no- body to write for me, and am not allowed to dictate above two or three lines. It would oblige me infinitely if that might be to you, either at the beginning or end of your letter, if you write to-morrow. One at noon, or seven in the evening, are the cleverest hours for me, — but I must not choose. Yours, &c. H. W.
To G. A. Selwyn, Esq., Chesterfield Street.
THE HON. HORACE WALPOLE TO GEORGE SELWYN. DEAR SIR,
As I have more gout to-day, and am not able to stir out of my bedchamber, which is up two pair of stairs, and where it is not proper to receive her, I must decline the honour you flattered me with of seeing Lady Holland, till I can get down stairs again ; but I hope that will not hinder you from calling on me, whenever you have nothing better to do. Yours, &c. H. VV.
40 THE EARL OF CARLISLE
THE EARL OF CARLISLE TO GEORGE SELWYN.
Castle Howard, Friday. [1772.] MY DEAR GEORGE,
I intended writing by the last post, but was so tired with hunting that I was not able. I must thank you for two letters, one of which I received this morning. Hare left us last Wednesday ; pro- bably you will have seen him by this time. I have not yet been able to fix the day that I shall leave Castle Howard, but I believe about the 8th. I shall stay a week in town, and then return.
Lavie has given himself a great deal of trouble in examining the causes of my expenses, and I hope I shall have the resolution of acting up to the plan of economy that we have settled. He assures me that I can afford to spend from twelve to fourteen thousand pounds a-year, and I think that ought to satisfy me. I will talk more upon this subject when we meet, if you like to be bored.
I enclose you the French ambassadors last let- ter, which I see no necessity of answering, as the correspondence could only terminate by one of our deaths if we were to continue writing. If you think it right to say anything to him about it, pray make a speech for me.
I do not like to hear you talk so much of hazard. If you hover round the table, I am
TO GEORGE SELWYN. 41
afraid Harrington's crooked fingers will lay hold of yon. Pray let me know how Richard moves. I am not curious about all his motions, though some of them are pretty extraordinary, but perhaps he is the seconder ; then my pun is lost.
Nothing will surprise me about Lord H. ; not if he were to come upon the turf, and be a con- federate with black Pigot. Do you take care of yourself ? or do you sleep between two doors ? drink all the red wine you can get, and eat all the nastiness in London ? Pray go home soon ; kiss Raton ; and mind every word that Alice* says.
Little Caroline is very well, and by the time you see her, she will have added to her collection at least four words. She deals chiefly in mono- syllables at present, though not indecent. I am,
My dear George, yours most affectionately,
Carlisle.
THE EARL OF CARLISLE TO GEORGE SELWYN.
[Henry Thomas Lord Stavordale, to whom there is a reference in this letter, was the eldest son of the first Earl of Ilchester, and first cousin to Charles Fox. He succeeded as second Earl of Ilchester in 1776, and died September 5, 1802, at the age of fifty-five. Lord Stavordale is thus
* An old and faithful servant of George Selwyn.
42 THE EARL OF CARLISLE.
apostrophised by Lord Carlisle, in his verses "On his Schoolfellows at Eton:"" —
" Well-natured Stavordale I the task is thine Foremost in pleasure's festive band to shine ; Say, wilt thou pass alone the midnight hour, Studious the depths of Plato to explore ? To lighter subjects shall thy soul give way, Nor heed what grave philosophers shall say : The God of Mirth shall list thee in his train, A cheerful votary, and the foe of pain.""
Castle Howard, January 19th. [1773.] MY DEAR GEORGE,
I return you the Duke of Orleans' letter, which in my opinion has no merit but in being the Duke of Orleans'. I hear Charles [Fox] can- not go to perform his part at the Winterslow play on account of his eyes : I am afraid his eyes are otherwise employed. When you see him, pray press him to write to Lord Stavordale. If you are serious with him, he must sacrifice two minutes and a half to writing, folding up, and sealing, &c.
I shall be obliged to you if you will direct the enclosed to Lord Grantham, and send it to the Secretary of State's office. If any of the French- men inquire after me, pray tell them you expect me soon in London ; not that I believe they would come here out of friendship for me — I am not so vain ; but God knows what they might do from folly, and ignorance of the distance. At present I see nothing that is likely to bring me to town
THE EARL OF MARCH. 43
for these six weeks. The weather is terrible. I read a good deal ; not from affectation, but from necessity.
The more I live, the more I think I shall alter my way of life very essentially for the future. I feel here more ambition than at Almack's, among a set of people who seem to have none, except Charles, and he seems to have as much in ruining himself as in any other pursuit. With Ekins's assistance, I got through a good deal of Tacitus. His lan- guage is good for a dead author ; but, for a living- one, there is nothing like little Caroline's elo- quence : you will be both edified and amazed when you see her. Her words come faster than her teeth, for she has been uneasy for some time, without producing any new ones. I am, my dear George,
Yours, &c. Carlisle.
THE EARL OF MARCH TO GEORGE SELWYN.
Ware, Wednesday afternoon.
I came yesterday from Newmarket, and lay at Calvert's, to hunt this morning. I have now just dined, and am waiting till Panton is dressed, to set forward for London. I should have written to you from Newmarket, but I did not know where to direct.
Orford has had many applications for the De-
44 THE EARL OF MARCH.
puty Rangership, and one from the Duke of Glou- cester. But lie intends to give it to Shirley, which he has told his Royal Highness : so far that is settled ; but you do not know what is likewise settled, which is, that you are to have the house, provided his Majesty approves of it, which I am sure he will* I imagine that Or- ford means that you should give Shirley a hun- dred : by that means Orford gives him two hundred a-year, which will be very convenient to him, as he is quite undone. You cannot think how happy I am that you are to have a house, and so pretty a one, so very near mine : — it is, you know, what we have both wished so much. Orford was vastly obliging, and expressed a great deal of pleasure in having an opportunity of obliging both you and me.f You think much too seriously concerning what you talked to me about when we parted. It is impossible that the D. of G.j can mean to deal hardly by you. He can have no motive for so
* Lord Orford was Ranger of St. James's and Hyde Parks. The house here alluded to was probably the charming residence in the Green Park, recently occupied by Lady William Gordon, and which has been pulled down within the last few months (1843). Lord March's house in Piccadilly was situated nearly opposite to it.
t George Selwyn appears to have been disappointed in obtain- ing the house in question. His only London residences, during nearly half a century, were in Chesterfield Street and Cleveland Row, in the latter of which he died.
t Apparently the Duke of Grafton.
THE EARL OF CARLISLE. 45
doing, but, on the contrary, I am sure his inclina- tions must be to show you favour. I think, there- fore, that you see all that business with a great deal too much warmth, and quite in a wrong light, and I am persuaded it will end well. The chaise is ready — I shall add a word or two when I come to London.
Past seven : just going to Lady Harrington's. I go to-morrow morning to examine the house ; I am sure I shall look at it with more pleasure than I have ever done before. I want to see how long it will be before you can get into it. It is a charming house : how everybody will hate you for having got it. Adieu ! my dear George. I have lost my money, but that is nothing ; I shall win some other time. Pray do not plague yourself about imaginary evils. It is time enough when they really happen. Good b'ye to you.
THE EARL OF CARLISLE TO GEORGE SELWYN.
Castle Howard, January 29. [1773.]] MY DEAR GEORGE,
If I was once to begin thanking you for the kindness which you show to me upon all occasions, all my time would be employed in acknowledging your goodness. But do not think I am the less sensible of your friendship because I do not write an essay de amicitid.
46 THE EARL OF CARLISLE
I think we shall remain here about five weeks, when the travelling will not be in the least dan- gerous. I am afraid you will have formed such extravagant ideas of little Caroline's improvements that you will be disappointed ; but I do assure you she is yet unacquainted with Madame de Sevigne, and therefore will not be able to answer any ques- tions concerning her.
Tell Hare I thank him for his letter, and also thank Charles for the Tideman's place. I think it will be hard upon Charles, if Lord Holland will not do something more for him, as he exerts him- self so much for Stephen, who has had an immense estate, his debts paid twenty times, and will have a great augmentation after Lord Holland's death; though I fear Charles' attention will not entitle him to any very extraordinary favour from his father. I am, my dear George,
Yours, &c. Carlisle.
THE EARL OF CARLISLE TO GEORGE SELWYN.
Castle Howard, Tuesday. [Circ. Feb. 1773.] MY DEAR GEORGE,
I am very glad that you mistook the post-day, as I believe by that means I got another sheet of paper. It is very difficult to say how far people's absurdities will carry them ; but if the report is true about Col. K. and Lord L., I think
TO GEORGE SELWYN. 47
the Colonel will not be easily outdone. He shall be at the head of my list.
Indeed Charles must take care of himself. He has very bad humours, which require great atten- tion, or they will make his life miserable. As he is so careful in every other part of his con- duct, he will not be consistent with himself to neglect his health. If there should ever be any change for the better in his circumstances, Hare will not lose that opportunity of speaking seriously to him about that business. I have also desired him not to forget it, if ever Charles should talk to him about his circumstances ; he may then in- troduce it in conversation. But what he says is true, it would be useless to torment him about it when he has not a guinea : so there it ends for the present.
Orford's death would have corresponded with his life. He has lived like no other person, and I believe no man of fashion ever went out of the world before by the itch ; I mean on this side the Tweed.*
Caroline has got a little dog which gives her great delight, though it flings her down and steals her bread. Pray take care of your cough. I am curious to see the letters of Stewart.f The Duke of Orleans' letter, which you made me send you
* George, third Earl of Orford ; he survived till 5 December, 1791.
t The well-known " Athenian Letters."
48 LORD MACARTNEY
back with so much care, was in the newspapers the day after. I have my doubts about the verses you mention of Lady O. I think she is a foolish woman, and can do nothing but cant and lie.
Lady Carlisle charges me always to say some- thing* to you that is kind, which I commonly omit, from jealousy. I am, my dear George,
Yours, &c.
LORD MACARTNEY.
Sir George, afterwards Lord Macartney, now principally known from his famous mission to China in 1792, was born in 1737. In 1764 he was appointed Envoy Extraordinary to Russia, and afterwards successively held the appointments of Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Go- vernor of the Caribbee Islands, President of Madras, and Ambassador to China. After his return from the latter country he was advanced to an Earldom, and was subsequently appointed Governor of the Cape of Good Hope. In 1797 he returned from the Cape, in consequence of ill health, and died March 31, 1800. For his success in public life he was chiefly indebted to the kindness, and high opinion formed of his talents by Lord Holland.
TO GEORGE SELWYN. 49
SIR GEORGE MACARTNEY TO GEORGE SELWYN.
Bath, Tuesday morning. DEAR MR. SELWYN,
I arrived here yesterday to dinner, where 1 had the pleasure of finding both Lord and Lady Holland, though by no means so well as I wished, yet not so ill as I expected. Lord Holland does not seem to be much altered, either in his looks or his health, since I saw him six months ago ; only his appetite is rather less. His mind is weak and languid, like his pulse, but at times appears to recover itself, and to be quiet and strong. His speech, and memory, are impaired, but I think his apprehension is perfect. Poor Lady Holland is a good deal changed : she is grown thin, and looks ill. Her whole nervous system seems strongly af- fected : the least trifle alarms her, and in the midst of the most cheerful discourse she often bursts out into an involuntary effusion of tears. She tells me, however, that she thinks herself better within these few days ; and, notwithstanding the symptoms I have mentioned, I do not find that her case has been regarded as immediately dangerous. She her- self does not apprehend much, but she complains a good deal of what she feels ; and without doubt, poor woman, her sufferings must be great indeed. She goes out in her chaise every day, and both she and Lord Holland propose to set out for London
VOL. III. E
50 LORD HOLLAND.
in the latter end of next week, or the beginning of the following.
Harry [Fox] is here, but goes away to-morrow. Charles went the day before I came. Lady Holland tried the waters, but they heated her so much that she was obliged to leave them off. Bath is quite full. The Northumberlands, Holdernesses, and Car- marthens, are the principal persons of the drama. I shall return as soon as I can, and hope to see you in the beginning of next week. I am, with great truth and regard, dear Selwyn,
Very sincerely yours, G. M.
[Lord Holland died on the 1st of July, 1774, in the sixty-ninth year of his age. It has already been mentioned, that when he was dying George Selwyn called at Holland House and left his card. It was carried to the dying statesman. Glancing at it for a moment, he observed with a mournful pleasantry : " If Mr. Selwyn calls again, shew him up : if I am alive I shall be delighted to see him ; and if I am dead he would like to see me." Lady Holland survived her husband only twenty-three days; and only five months afterwards, December 26, 1774, died Stephen Fox, who had succeeded his father as second Lord Holland.]
THE EARL OF CARLISLE. 51
THE EARL OF CARLISLE TO GEORGE SELWYN.
Sunday. [February 1773.]
Indeed, my dear George, your letters are always welcome to me, but the length of these last has been particularly so, for in this rainy dismal weather the attentions of our friends make a stronger impression upon us, and one feels more obligation to them for their goodness.
I think I shall leave Castle Howard about the middle of next week. Though I understood from you, that the other two hundred pounds was not to be paid till a year from the time I gave the bond ; yet, it is the same thing, as I must get the money from some soft-hearted Christian, for I hope not to have anything to do with the Jews. I hope, in the course of next year, to be able to discharge all my foolish contracts, by some fine schemes Lavie and I have for that purpose. Do not be alarmed with the sound of cutting wood ; not a tree about Castle Howard. But in other parts of my estate there is a great deal, which it is a folly to let stand and rot. So much for our affairs. I am very happy to hear what you tell me about Charles. The point that Lord H.* makes about being an Earl, seems to be very childish. Is Tatty Upton f to be made a Duke or a Marquis ?
* Apparently Lord Holland.
f Probably Clotworthy Upton, Esq., created Baron Templetown in 1776. He died 16th April, 1785.
e 2
52 BISHOP WARBURTON.
Pray tell Charles what pleasure his promotion gives me. As to his giving himself airs about being only in the Treasury before he is of age,* I be- lieve he thinks he ought to have been a Privy Coun- sellor when he was at Eton. Little Caroline is very well, and is every day more entertaining. I hear Meynel has been almost killed while hunting. I hope he is better. When he is hunting, he for- gets he is on horseback. I am, my dear George, Yours most affectionately, Carlisle.
BISHOP WARBURTON.
William Warburton, afterwards Bishop of Glou- cester, was the son of an attorney at Newark -upon- Trent, and was born December 24, 1698. He originally followed the profession of his father, but finding it equally wearisome and unprofitable, he entered into holy orders, and, in 1727, was pre- sented by Sir Robert Sutton with the small vicar- age of Gresley in Nottinghamshire, and in the fol- lowing year, with the living of Brand Broughton, in Lincolnshire. In 1746 he was chosen preacher of Lincoln's Inn, but notwithstanding his great learn-
* Charles Fox was appointed a Lord of the Admiralty in 1770, almost immediately after he had come of age ; but he was not appointed a Lord of the Treasury till 1773, when he was in his twenty-fifth year : Lord Carlisle's remark therefore requires some explanation.
BISHOP WARBURTON. 53
ing, and the services which he performed in the cause of religion and literature, it was not till late in life that his talents were adequately rewarded. In 1753 he was appointed Prebendary of Glouces- ter ; in 1754, one of the King's Chaplains ; in 1755, Prebendary of Durham and Dean of Bristol ; and, in 1757, Bishop of Gloucester. Strange as it may appear that there should have existed any re- ciprocity of feeling between Warburton and Sel- wyn, — the one the haughty and overbearing con- troversialist, the other the votary of wit and the gaming-table, — yet Warburton was fond of unbend- ing in private life, and is not unlikely to have taken delight in the social humour of Selwyn, and the fund of anecdotes with which his memory was stored.
Craddock describes Warburton in his Memoirs, as Marin, witty and convivial. " Hurd," he says, "used to wonder where Warburton got the anecdotes with which his conversation and writings frequently abounded." " I could readily have informed him," said Mrs. Warburton to me : " When we passed our winters in London, he would often, after his long and severe studies, send out for a whole basket- full of books, from the circulating libraries ; and at times I have gone into his study, and found him laughing, though alone ; and now and then he would double down some entertaining pages for my amuse- ment." The following letter may be regarded per- haps as a tolerable specimen of Warburton's style ;
54 BISHOP WARBURTON.
which, according to Dr. Johnson, was " copious without selection, and forcible without neatness; he took the words that presented themselves; his diction is coarse and impure, and his sentences are unmeasured. " His death took place at Gloucester on the 7th of June 1779.
BISHOP WARBURTON TO GEORGE SELWYN.
Gloucester, 13th June, 1773. DEAR SIR,
This trouble is occasioned by a favour I have to ask you.
My wife now giving us some hopes of a recovery from a very dangerous illness, is advised by her physicians to lie out of this place now and then, for a change of air ; and Matson is a place she most fancies. Your servant acquaints us that you are expected down there very shortly; so that my wife begs you to acquaint us, with all freedom and sincerity, when you propose to come to your own house, that she may make use of this liberty, which she requests, if it be convenient to you to grant it, either before you come down, or after you have left Matson ; that you may neither hasten nor retard your intended visit one day on her account, which would deprive her of all the satis- faction and use that her physicians propose from
MRS. WARBURTON. 55
her little occasional excursions thither. I have the honour to be, dear Sir,
Your very faithful and obedient humble servant,
W. Gloucester.
MRS. WARBURTON.
Miss Gertrude Tucker, who in 1745 became the wife of Bishop Warburton, was the niece of the celebrated Ralph Allen, of Prior Park, near Bath, the friend of Pope :
Let humble Allen, with an awkward shame, Do good by stealth, and blush to find it fame.
An anecdote, worth recording, is related in con- nexion with Warburton's marriage with this lady. Pope was on a visit to Allen at Prior Park, when a letter was one day put into his hands, which ap- peared to cause him some embarrassment. Allen making some inquiry as to its contents, Pope informed him that the letter was from a " Lincoln- shire parson," to whom he was under some obliga- tions, who proposed to be with him in a day or two at Twickenham. The difficulty was imme- diately obviated by Allen, who suggested that the " Lincolnshire parson, who was no other than War- burton, should be invited to Prior Park, adding, that a carriage should meet him at Chippenham. The plan was approved of by Pope, and the invita- tion accepted by Warburton. The latter arrived
56 MRS. WARBURTON.
in a few clays, and shortly afterwards succeeded in gaining the affections of Allen's niece, Miss Tucker, in right of whom, after their marriage, he subsequently succeeded to the possession of Prior Park, and to the bulk of Allen's property.
MRS. WARBURTON TO GEORGE SELWYN.
Matson, June 30th, 1773. SIR,
I am infinitely obliged by your goodness in
lending me your house. The fine air I have breathed at Matson seems to have perfectly restored me to my health ; and though I am in the highest degree sensible of your extreme politeness, (ex- pressed to me in your note,) I must not be en- couraged by it to trespass further upon your indul- gence than is necessary, nor to keep you in suspense, since I propose setting out next Monday upon a little journey, and to leave Matson, free and unen- cumbered, to the disposal or use of its true and lawful master, whom I fear I may have already interrupted in his intentions of being here.
I cannot sufficiently express how much I am thankful. It is all you can have from me, but the bishop orders me to assure you of his being entirely at your command. I have the honour to be, your much obliged, and most obedient humble
servant,
Gertrude Warburton.
THE EARL OF MARCH. i>7
THE EARL OF MARCH TO GEORGE SELWYN.
Wakefield, Friday morning.
On Wednesday we had a party to see Wan- stead. We dined at the Spread Eagle upon the Forest, and at our return home, between eight and nine, we saw a most violent fire that had just broken out in Mary-le-bone Street, at the upper end of the Haymarket. It lasted till one in the morning, and has burnt a great many houses. I never saw any thing so violent, and the crowd of people in the streets all round was beyond con- ception. The fire burnt with such fury that no one could have any idea how far it would go.
We went afterwards to sup with Lady H.* as usual, where your letter was brought me. I am glad to find you are safe and well at Castle Howard, and in possession of your pony. I hope you will make use of him, for you want riding and exercise. Whether I shall be at York or not, I do not know ; but I should like to be there more for the pleasure of going to Castle Howard, than anything else.
Lord Bute was at the levee on Wednesday, and yesterday at the drawing-room. Lord Villiers tells me that he looks very well, but rather thin. I have not seen him, but I called at his house, and saw his valet-de-chambre, who lived with mad Scrope, who has
* Apparently Lady Harrington.
58 LORD AUCKLAND
something of the manner of your Swiss you got from Williams. Upon my asking him after Lord Bute, he said, " Heaven be praised we have brought his lordship safe home."* I have not seen Raton, but I sent yesterday to take leave of him before I left London, and he was perfectly well. My best compliments to your landlord. Farewell ! my dear George.
LORD AUCKLAND.
William Eden, so celebrated for his political talents, and for his defection from the standard of Fox to that of Pitt, was educated at Eton, and afterwards at Christchurch College, Oxford. He was called to the Bar in 1769, and, in 1788, accompanied Lord Carlisle on his mission of peace to America. Between the years 1785 and 1789 he filled successively the appointments of Ambas- sador to France, Spain, and the United Provinces ; in the latter year he was created Baron Auckland in Ireland, and in 1793 was advanced to an Eng- lish peerage. He married Eleanor, daughter of Sir Gilbert Elliot, and sister to the first Earl of Minto, and died May 28, 1814.
* John, the celebrated Marquis of Bute, survived till the 1 Oth of March, 1792.
TO GEORGE SELWYN. 50
WILLIAM EDEN, ESQ., TO GEORGE SELWYN.
Monday, August 19th. MY DEAR SIR,
I intend to rub off the rest of the circuit by an adjournment on Wednesday next to York races, and am inclinable, at the latter end of the week, to indulge a wish to pay my respects to Lord and Lady Carlisle. I shall be decided in this purpose, if you will be so obliging as to inform me by a line directed to York, that you still continue at Castle Howard, and that the place is not crowded with company.
I observe in this day's paper, that a gentleman of the name of Soame is just dead. He was one of the commissioners of bankruptcy. His office was about 160/. a-year, and would suit our friend Hare exactly, as an introduction or stepping-stone to something better. It is in the disposal of Lord North, and if Lord Carlisle and Charles Fox, or either of them, will make the application, it will probably succeed. At the worst, a refusal will be attended by general professions, and I shall have it in my power, and shall be glad to furnish them with earlier notice hereafter. Pray urge this matter, and believe me
Your very sincere humble servant,
Wm. Eden.
60 THE EARL OF CARLISLE
THE EARL OF CARLISLE TO GEORGE SELWYN.
Castle Howard. Tuesday. MY DEAR GEORGE,
I long very much to be acquainted with every part of your affair and negotiation with Lord North ; but as the particulars may not come within the compass of a letter, I must be contented to wait till I have the pleasure of seeing- you. I am sure you know that you cannot have anything of this kind upon your mind that I do not share your anxiety; and that I feel as much resentment when you feel yourself ill-treated as if I had all the information in the world upon the subject. This, perhaps, is not very just, but it is very natural. I cannot think that you lost anything in not having seen Lord North, as, in a cause between Lord North and Selwyn, I fear he would not have exerted himself much in your favour.
In regard to myself, I have not changed my opinion for going abroad in the manner I mentioned. It would be laying the axe to the root of the evil. Nothing but the losing you for some time has ever staggered me, and impeded my taking more serious methods for bringing it about.
To ask such a thing, and be refused would be exceedingly disagreeable, and to be treated as if I had asked a very great favour would be equally so. I agree with you that no step ought to be taken but
TO GEORGE SYLWYN. 61
with Lord Gower's advice. I should even like to try the ground there before I entirely explained myself, but that will be too difficult. I can see no harm in writing to him, as he has always been very good to me, and I am certain would do anything to promote mine and Lady Carlisle's interests ; espe- ciallv as these plans, if rightly executed, are calcu- lated as much for her future ease and comfort as my own.- I think, then, I shall write to him, only re- quiring from him secresy and no concealment of his opinion. If I do, I fear there will not be time to wait for your sentiments, but from your letter this morning, I think you will not disapprove of my taking this step.
The times will mend, and if this scheme should take place, it will enable me to return to you with that peace of mind, and with that arrangement of my affairs, that it will not be in the power of fortune to interrupt that attention which I so justly owe you, for the very extraordinary marks of friendship I every day receive from you. I call them extra- ordinary, for, without drawing any comparisons, in- deed they are so. I am, my dear George,
Yours most sincerely, Carlisle.
P. S. As you have never mentioned March's name, I should almost fear he did not approve of our way of thinking and acting in Fox's affair. I should be very sorry for being obliged to differ from him in opinion, as T respect him both as a man of honour and sense.
62
THE HON. THOMAS DE GREY.
The Hon. Thomas de Grey was the eldest sur- viving son of William first Lord Walsingham. He was born on the 14th of July, 1748, and married, on the 30th of April, 1772, Augusta Georgina Eliza- beth, daughter of William first Lord Boston. In 1774 he was returned to Parliament as member for Tarn worth, in Staffordshire, and in 1780, for Lestwithiel in Cornwall. In 1775 he was appointed a Groom of the Bedchamber to George the Third ; and in June 1777 was nominated a Commissioner of Trade and Plantations. He was subsequently Under Secretary of State to the celebrated Lord George Germaine, and, after his elevation to the peerage, sat for twenty years as Chairman of the Committees of the House of Lords. He was also a Privy Counsellor and member of the Royal Society. His death took place on the 16th of January, 1818. He was father of George, third Baron Walsingham, who was burnt to death with his lady in Harley Street, under very frightful circumstances, in April, 1831, and also of Thomas, father of the present (fifth) lord.]
THE HON. THOMAS DE GREY. 03
THE HON. THOMAS DE GREY TO GEORGE SELWYN.
Hedsor, 30 October, 1773.
SIR,
I have been very uneasy at the great delay in this matter, but it is not my fault, and I dare say it is owing to Lord North's want of time.
The paper you mention I have not received, but if I had had it, I should not think myself at liberty to communicate to you, because Lord North wished to alter it before I sent it, and therefore it certainly did not speak his lordship's sentiments. I returned it to Mr. Robinsion for my lord to peruse, and Robinson said he would send me an answer that evening : I received none. I sent on Tuesday even- ing to remind him. He said he would mention it to Lord North on Wednesday. I stayed in town all Wednesday, on purpose to receive it, but none came : I sent to your house on Thursday to know where you was to be found in case I received it, and have been in constant expectation of it ever since : the moment I have it, I will transmit it to you. I looked for you in the drawing-room, the first moment I could get away from the King's rooms, but you were not there ; and I thought it would be absurd to wait upon you when I had evidently nothing to say, and when I expected the letter every day.
I thank you for your great politeness and candour
G4 THE EARL OF CARLISLE
in this affair. If you are so good as to express yourself unfortunate at not seeing me before I left town, upon mere ceremony and punctilio, I hope to have the honor of being always so much your friend, as that we may be on no terms of ceremony with each other. If you mean that you had any busi- ness which you had rather communicate by word of mouth than by letter, I beg you would believe me ready at a moment's warning to obey your com- mands or summons, without looking to the success of the event ; being with great truth.
Sir, your most obedient and obliged servant,
Thomas de Grey. Your letter is dated 28th, but I have received it only this moment. Saturday.
THE EARL OF CARLISLE TO LADY HOLLAND.
Castle Howard, Dec. 5, 1773. MADAM,
I hope your ladyship will excuse the liberty I take, in giving you the trouble of a letter upon a subject, which I am sensible does not immediately relate to you, and which I ought more properly to have addressed to Lord Holland, had I not been ap- prehensive that a letter upon business, in his pre- sent situation, might be ill-timed. I must, there- fore, rely upon your goodness to communicate the following contents, and shall not pretend to dictate
TO LADY HOLLAND. 65
either the time or manner to your ladyship's dis- cretion.
Being, as you know, security for a considerable sum, borrowed for the use of my friend Charles, and understanding that there is now a negotiation on foot for his relief, and to extricate him from his present distressful situation, it cannot be thought unreasonable for me to put in my claim to partake of the benefits, and share the advantages of this intended alteration in his circumstances.
It was my friendship and love for him, that made me comply with his requests without deliberation or considering the consequences, and you are, I am sure, too just to think I deserve to be punished for my compliance. If indulgence was the cause of all his indiscretions, I fear his nearest rela- tions will have as much to answer for as his friends ; indeed, it would be very extraordinary if his heart and understanding had not seduced every one who knew him, into an unjustifiable partiality. But, when I consider my circumstances, and the situation in which I am as a husband and a father, your ladyship will not wonder that I am very serious on this occasion ; and as Charles formerly received ten thousand pounds, of which nothing was paid to diminish the debt for which I am bound, and a large sum of money is to be now advanced, it is but just and equitable that some part of it should be allotted for the discharge of fifteen or sixteen thousand pounds, for which an annuity is
VOL. III. F
66 THE EARL OF CARLISLE
to be paid of two thousand or twenty-five hun- dred pounds a-year. The payment of five thousand would make a diminution of the burthen. In short, I hope I shall never have it to say, that the family, with whom I have been so early connected, and whose kind behaviour to me had taught me to regard them as my warmest friends, should leave me out of their consideration, in an affair of so much consequence to me.
In regard to giving the bond, &c, it was an ex- pedient I could not listen to, or think it reasonable I should lay myself under an obligation to pay money which I have never received, to persons to whom I am not in debt; or that the heir of your ladyship's family should have a claim upon my estate, because, from an excess of friendship, I had lent my name to relieve your son.
I am heartily concerned for the distress in your ladyship's family, and know how much you must feel on this account, and flatter myself therefore that with your usual good-nature you will make allowances for my situation, who have the inte- rests of a wife and children to watch over; and excuse my presumption in writing with so much freedom on this occasion.
Pray present my best compliments to Lord Hol- land, and accept my most earnest wishes for the perfect establishment of your ladyship's health. I am, dear madam, with the greatest respect, your ladyship's most sincere friend, and humble servant.
TO GEORGE SELWYN. G7
THE EARL OF CARLISLE TO GEORGE SELWYN.
Castle Howard, 14 January, 1774. MY DEAR GEORGE,
There is something so laughable in Stephen [Fox's] character and conduct, that though he were broke upon the wheel, or torn if possible between four wild horses, like Damien, the per- sons who live the most with him would never be grave or serious, upon any calamity happening to him. If Lady Mary was much alarmed, or if the birds were really burnt to death, I should be very sorry. As this is the first misfortune that ever happened to Stephen, which he did not bring upon himself, all compassionate thoughts and in- tentions may be turned from Charles to him. The letter, which I enclose a copy of from Lady Hol- land, is as satisfactory as I could expect from a woman. It is the devil to deal with two persons, one who really is a woman, and the other whose affectation is to be thought an old one.
You overcome me with your kindness in what you say about Lord Bristol ; it is indeed a thing I have very much at heart. Your friendship is so different from anything I have ever met with, or seen in the world, that when I recollect the extraordinary proofs of your kindness, it seems like a dream. I will endeavour, by my conduct and change of manners, to make myself more
F 2
68 THE HON. THOMAS DE GREY.
worthy of it ; indeed such friendship as yours ought to be virtutum adjutria?, non vitiorum comes. I will do nothing rashly about the Argenton estate.
Pray direct the enclosed to Lord Grantham ; I think the best way is to send it through the Se- cretary of State's office. Lady Carlisle always de- sires to be remembered by you ; she is very sen- sible of your goodness to me. Our children are both well. I am, my dear George, yours, &c.
Carlisle.
P.S. As I seldom hear from any body but your- self, pray let me hear something of Hare and Storer, &c.
THE HON. THOMAS DE GREY TO GEORGE SELWYN.
Chandos Street, 19 January, 1774. SIR,
In consequence of what Lord North has said, my father and I have acquiesced that, with your leave, and under your sanction, Mr. Keene should be recommended to you by your constituents of the borough of Ludgershall.
I am on my part to return you my best thanks for the honour you were pleased to intend me, in the first instance ; and for attention to me in the conversation I had the honour to hold with you yesterday.
I am, sir, with great truth and respect, Your most obedient and most humble servant,
Thomas de Grey.
THE EARL OF CARLISLE. 69
THE EARL OF CARLISLE TO GEORGE SELWYN.
21 January, 1 774. MY DEAR GEORGE,
You are very good to me to write so often, and such long letters. Pray continue this mark of your kindness and affection.
I have the happiness to see that Lady Carlisle is daily gaining strength. At a proper season, the sea, I should think, may do her more good than any- thing that can be prescribed. If I have where- withal to undertake the London journey, I shall be ready to come into any system that may be thought advisable ; but I will talk more upon this subject when I have received Gregg's accounts, which I have not yet done.
What I am going to tell you is told me in con- fidence. I understand, from a person on whom I can depend, that there is still great dissatisfaction and want of resolution in Lord B.* I have not a doubt but he will go to Ireland. Nothing, in my opinion, but his death, as he is situated, can pre- vent his going through with it. But the ques- tion is put with a great deal of significancy, is . in earnest in his solicitations for Lord C. ?f
* The nobleman here alluded to, was probably either John, second Earl of Buckinghamshire, appointed Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland in 1776, or, more probably, George William, second Earl of Bristol, who had previously held that appointment.
■j- Lord Carlisle.
70 THE EARL OF CARLISLE.
I conceive by the manner in which it is put, that a certain party would insinuate that it would not be understood to be promised to me in case Lord B. did not go.
There can be no harm, I should think, in sound- ing upon this point, which you may treat as
a rumour. If you meet with the coolness with which such subjects are received, Rigby can get an answer when perhaps you cannot. This, how- ever, I leave to your own judgment. My intel- ligence comes through Storer, from a person who has been an old Mend of mine, and who lives with and goes with Lord B. I tell you this, that, except you mean to talk confidentially with Storer, you may not hint that I have possessed you with any such information. My informer wishes me well, and might get into a great scrape if it was known that he gave us any intelligence of this nature.
I think I may congratulate you upon the cer- tainty of Mie Mie's staying with you. The ques- tion you put to the children will take some time to answer. They are all well. When they have decided upon this important point, I will make their choice known to you. Ekins is still with us. I am, my dear George, yours, &c.
THE EARL OF MARCH. 71
THE EARL OF MARCH TO GEORGE SELWYN.
Almack's, Thursday Night. MY DEAR GEORGE,
I had your letter yesterday from Gloucester, and am glad, since you are at Matson, that you are pleased with it. What you are doing there would certainly be well worth while if it were near London, but considering how little you are there, it is a pleasure that is a very expensive one.
Bunbury is returned, and was last night at Ra- nelagh with Lady Sarah. He has bought Gim- crack of Lauragais. Lord Harrington sets out on Saturday for Paris. Her ladyship takes it very ill that he does not take her and the daugh- ters with him, and proposes that we should attend them upon some party abroad.
I find that there is some bad news to-day from Boston. They will not allow the Custom House officers to do their duty ; have used them exces- sively ill, and have almost, if not quite killed the collector ; in short, they are in a state of rebellion.* There are people here and at White's
* The celebrated Boston riots, which lighted up the rebellion that led to the independence of America. On Thursday, 21 April [1774], Lord North informed the House of Commons that au- thentic information had been received, that on the last day of February the Fortune had arrived in the port of Boston, with tea on board, and that the mob had assembled in a tumultuous manner, gone aboard that ship, and destroyed the cargo.
72 THE EARL OF CARLISLE
every night. Bully enquires very much when you are to be here again.
Farewell, my dear George.
THE EARL OF CARLISLE TO GEORGE SELWYN.
London, June 17th. MY DEAR GEORGE,
Though I have nothing to say, I know it is always pleasant to have a letter from London when we are in the country. Lord and Lady Gower dined with us yesterday, so that if there had been any political news I should have heard it.
Mrs. Horton is not as yet married, but the Duke of D. told me this morning he had no doubt that it would take place. March has got his Mrs. Horton home again, though with some difficulty, and I take it for granted with more expense, as she was in a spunging-house. As I do not game myself, I am ignorant of any gaming transactions, though, if there had been anything very particular, it would have reached me.
How long do you stay? I wish you would re- solve to go down with us. Our masquerade was fine, but dull ; the supper well contrived ; but it was not agreeable afterwards, for want of space to walk about. In short, you would have said, what I hear many of our friends at the Old Club say, that it was nothing to what we remember.
TO GEORGE SELWYN. 73
The children are very well, and so is Lady Car- lisle, notwithstanding the newspapers.
I will write again soon. Pray make my compli- ments to Lady Holland.
I am, my dear George,
Yours most affectionately, C.
THE EARL OF CARLISLE TO GEORGE SELWYN.
Castle Howard, August 2nd. [1774.] MY DEAR GEORGE,
Storer is not arrived, but I expect him this evening. Perhaps he may meet Ekins on the road, and they may come together. We made yester- day a country visit to Lord Fauconberg's. * I take it your country visit is one of the most disagree- able operations one can endure.
Stephen Fox's pretty and pious letter to Lord Ilchester is ridiculous enough. He will soon do something, and play some prank, which I dare say his uncle will wish him at vinegar for. We shall have but a thin meeting at York, as so many persons will have the same entertainment you have at Gloucester, which will prevent them leaving their counties.
* Henry Bellasyse Earl of Fauconberg, succeeded his father as second earl, on the 4th of February preceding. He died on the 23rd of March, 1 802, when the earldom became extinct.
74 ANTHONY MORRIS STORER, ESQ.
These are all the particulars that are come within my observation and knowledge ; so, my dear Mrs. Moss the second, you must be contented with them.
Yours, most sincerely,
Carlisle.
[Stephen first Earl of Ilchester, alluded to in this letter, was the brother of Lord Holland, and uncle to Stephen Fox. He died on the 26th of September, 1776. It is a remarkable fact, con- nected with the name of Lord Ilchester, that, not- withstanding the lapse of nearly two hundred years, a person should be still living (1843) whose great- grandfather was present on the scaffold at the execution of Charles I. The person present on the scaffold was Sir Stephen Fox ; and his great- grandson, the present (third) Earl of Ilchester.
ANTHONY MORRIS STORER, ESQ.
Anthony Morris Storer (from whom some agreeable letters will be found occasionally intro- duced in the subsequent correspondence) was the son of Thomas Storer, Esq., a large landed pro- prietor in the West Indies. He received his edu- cation at Eton, where he was the contemporary of Lord Carlisle, Fox, Hare, and Lord Fitzwilliam ;
ANTHONY MORRIS STORER, ESQ. 75
and where he was thus celebrated by Lord Carlisle, in his verses " On his Schoolfellows at Eton : " —
"Whether I Storer sing in hours of joy, When every look bespeaks the inward boy ; Or when no more mirth wantons in his breast, And all the man in him appears confest ; In mirth, in sadness, sing him how I will, Sense and good-nature must attend him still."
The character of Storer is thus drawn by a con- temporary : " He was a man whose singular felicity it was to excel in everything he set his heart and hand to ; and who deserved, in a certain degree, if any one ever did since the days of Crichton, the epithet of Admirable. He was the best dancer, the best skaiter, of his time, and beat all his compe- titors in gymnastic honours. He excelled, too, as a musician and a disputant, and very early as a Latin poet.* In short, whatever he undertook he did it con amove, and as perfectly as if it were his only accomplishment. Quod valebat, valdh valebat. He was polite in his conversation, elegant in his man- ners, and amusing in a high degree, or otherwise in the extreme, as he felt himself and his company. If at any time he was rude, insolent, or overbear- ing, some allowance ought to be made for a state of health highly bilious, which influenced the man at times, and gave a yellow tinge and a saturnine hue to his character/' f
* Several specimens of his Latin poetry, evidently written at an early period of his life, are preserved in the library of Eton College.
■j- Nichols's Literary Anecdotes, vol. ix. pp. 508, 509.
76 ANTHONY MORRIS STORER, ESQ.
In 1779 Storer accompanied Lord Carlisle on his mission to America. Some time afterwards he was appointed Secretary of Legation at the French court ; and on the 13th of December, 1783, was nominated Minister Plenipotentiary, during the temporary ab- sence of the English ambassador, the Duke of Man- chester. For some years he resided almost entirely with Lord North, in whose family he is said to have been much more domesticated than in his own. Latterly, he principally occupied himself in beautifying a place of his own creation, Purley, near Reading ; and in accumulating a valuable and very curious collection of books. The latter he be- queathed to the library of Eton College, where there is a pleasing portrait of hirn, with a suitable Latin inscription underneath. His death, which was occasioned by a deep decline, took place at Bristol Hotwells, on the 4th of July, 1799.
ANTHONY MORRIS STORER, ESQ. TO GEORGE SELWYN.
Tuesday, August 6th, 1774. DEAR GEORGE,
I am very much obliged to you for your epistle, especially as it was a favour I did not expect. If Brookes pays you for my vin de grave, he will be more gracious than I should imagine he would be, for he has not a farthing of mine in his hands ; and, indeed, in this respect he differs very little from
TO GEORGE SELWYN. 77
anybody else I know ; but, as long as I am only a pauper in meo ore, I assure you I shall have a bottle of vin de grave, though it does cost four shillings a bottle. You will get by your edition of Madame de Sevigne's letters enough to pay for as much vin de grave as ever she drank en Bretagne.
The weather has been so bad to-day that I could not execute your orders, so Lady Carlisle and Lady Julia* went without their nosegays ; but I pre- sented your compliments, which were as well re- ceived as if they had been accompanied with a bouquet. Lady Caroline is very well, and sends her love to the Seignorina. Lord Morpeth f is grown very much, but does not seem likely to be very forward with his tongue.
I shall go from hence to York races next Mon- day, but I do not think of returning with them, so that I shall not have the pleasure of meeting you this year at Castle Howard. Carlisle is be- come a great musician as well as poet. He plays upon the piano-forte an air set to the words of one of his own ballads. Ekins, who is here, is learn- ing also to sing and play it : cantare pares, &c. I wish you a good journey to Matson, and that you may be omnipotent in Gloucester, malgre le bon Dieu. I beg my respects to Mr. Harris ; and I remain, dear George, yours sincerely,
A. Storer.
* Lady Juliana Howard, sister to Lord Carlisle, born July 6, 1750.
f The present (sixth) Earl of Carlisle.
78 THE HON. HORACE WALPOLE.
THE HON. HORACE WALPOLE TO GEORGE SELWYN. Strawberry Hill, Wednesday, Aug. 10th, at night. [1774.]
I think I shall be with you on Saturday ; at least I know that I intend to set out to-morrow and lie at Park Place ;* but it is so formidable to me to begin a journey, and I have changed my mind so often about this, though I like it so much, that I beg you will not be disappointed if you do not see me. If I were juvenile enough to set off at midnight, and travel all night, you would be sure of me ; but folks who do anything eagerly neither know nor care what they do. Sedate me, who de- liberate, at least do not determine but on pre- ference ; therefore, if I surmount difficulties, I shall at least have some merit with you ; and, if I do not, you must allow that the difficulties were prodigious, when they surmounted so much inclination.
In this wavering situation I wish you good-night, and hope I shall wake to-morrow as resolute as Her- cules or Mr. Bruce ;f but pray do not give me live beef for supper. Yours ever, H. W.
To George Augustus Selwyn, Esq., at Matson, near Gloucester.
* The residence of General Conway, near Henley.
f The celebrated Abyssinian traveller. After surviving perils, such as it has been the fate of few men to encounter, he died by an accidental fall down stairs, while taking farewell of some guests, in April, 1794.
THE EARL OF CARLISLE. 79
[The difficulties, however, were surmounted, and in a letter, dated the 15th, Walpole thus writes to the Rev. Mr. Cole : — " Matson, near Gloucester. You will not dislike my date. I am in the very man- sion where King Charles and his two eldest sons lay during the siege ; and there are marks of the last's hacking with his hanger on a window, as he told Mr. Selwyn's grandfather.* The present master has done due honour to the royal residence, and erected a good marble bust of the martyr, in a little gallery. In a window is a shield in painted glass, with that King's and his Queen's arms, which I gave him. So you see I am not a rebel, when alma mater antiquity stands godmother."]
THE EARL OF CARLISLE TO GEORGE SELWYN.
August 30th. [1774.] MY DEAR GEORGE,
I am very sorry to hear what you tell me of Gloucester; more especially as it prevents your coming here. As well as I remember, you had the same apprehensions before the last election ; but with more reason, as there was then an opposition actually begun.
Lord and Lady Fitzwilliam left us yesterday. Hare is here. We have had the worst summer I
* See cinte.
80 THE EARL OF CARLISLE
ever remember ; continual cold and rain. Pray take care of your eyes. As you say you must be particularly quick-sighted at present to watch over the motions of your Glocester voters, it would be very inconvenient to lose them before the elec- tion. Hawkins is as much of an old woman as Lady Harrington is, and rather more. He can hardly see, and you consult him for your eyes ! When the blind lead the blind, the Scriptures say, they both fall into a ditch ; so take care. I am, my dear George, Yours most affectionately, Carlisle.
THE EARL OF CARLISLE TO GEORGE SELWYN. MY DEAR GEORGE,
I still continue to direct to London, for till I hear of your being at Gloucester I shall have my doubts about your resolution. Sir George Macart- ney left us yesterday ; he called here on his way from Ireland. I dare say he thinks we have a pro- digious neighbourhood, for all the natives came down upon us at once last Sunday, to the number of sixteen. You ask how long we stay here ; a ques- tion I do not quite relish, for I fear it implies some doubt of your coming. We shall certainly remain here all this month, and I think till about the 10th of the next, and then go to Trentham. Come
TO GEORGE SELWYN. Si
therefore you must. John St. John said, he would come here. Bring him with you, and you can get as much law out of him as may serve you your life.
I think things look well at Carlisle. Expense I will not be at, and trouble I do not much like ; but I hope everything will go on well without either one or the other. I am, my dear George,
Yours most affectionately, Carlisle.
THE EARL OF CARLISLE TO GEORGE SELWYN.
Sunday, September 4th. [1774.] MY DEAR GEORGE,
I think we shall leave this place next Saturday, the 10th, and reach Trentham by Monday, where we shall remain till the end of the month.
Is Lord Lyttelton dead or alive ? When people die and come to life again, I fear their resurrection is to serve some vile purpose ; but the uncertainty about his existence is rather extraordinary, and not very flattering to his lordship, for if he is still in the land of the living, people seem to be very un- willing to undeceive themselves. A woman who was here the other night, upon some business from one of the villages, talking of her husband said, she believed he was hanged in the winter, but was not certain.
VOL. III. G
82 LORD LYTTELTON.
As you have put Burgundy into your inside, I shall not be surprised to hear you have put aqua- fortis into your eyes. Let me hear no more of such childish tricks.
I have no fears about your success at Glouces- ter, but I have a thousand about your eyes, for I am sure you will think you come cheaply off if you have no opposition, and yet lose your sight by drinking punch and port. Will you take my five guineas again? They are ready for you, if you will submit to the terms.
I have had a letter from Gloucestershire, where I hear you have talked of nothing but the thousands you had ready to fling out of a balcony. As the people there know you well, I believe you may brag very safely how much you will squander at the election in case of a contest. They will be too wise to come under your balcony. I am, my dear George,
Yours most affectionately, Carlisle.
[The Lord Lyttelton referred to in this letter, was George first Lord Lyttelton, the celebrated poet and historian, whose death had taken place on the 22nd of the preceding month. The physician who attended him, drew up a very interesting ac- count of his last moments. " Though his lordship," he says, " wished his approaching dissolution not to be lingering, he waited for it with resignation. He said, 'it is a folly to keep me in misery now, to
LORD LYTTELTON. 83
.attempt to prolong- life;' yet he was easily per- suaded, for the satisfaction of others, to do or take anything thought proper for him. On Saturday he had been remarkably better, and we were not without some hopes of his recovery.
" On Sunday, about eleven in the forenoon, his lordship sent for me, and said he felt a great hurry, and wished to have a little conversation with me in order to divert it. He then proceeded to open the fountains of that heart, from whence goodness had so long flowed as from a copious spring. ' Doctor,' said he, ' you shall be my confessor. When I first set out in the world, I had friends who endeavoured to shake my belief in the Christian religion. I saw difficulties which staggered me ; but I kept my mind open to conviction. The evidences and doctrines of Christianity, studied with attention, made me a most firm and persuaded believer of the Christian reli- gion. I have made it the rule of my life, and it is the ground of my future hopes. I have erred and sinned ; but have repented, and never indulged any vicious habit. In politics and public life, I have made public good the rule of my conduct. I never gave counsels which I did not at that time think best. I have seen that I was sometimes in the wrong, but I did not err designedly. I have endea- voured in private life to do all the good in my power, and never for a moment could indulge mali- cious or unjust designs upon any person whatso- ever.1 At another time, he said, ' I must leave my
G 2
84 THE EARL OF CARLISLE
soul in the same state it was in before this illness ; I find this a very inconvenient time for solicitude about anything.''
" On the evening when the symptoms of death came on, he said, ' I shall die, but it will not be your fault.' When Lord and Lady Valentia came to see his lordship, he gave them his solemn bene- diction, and said, * Be good, be virtuous, my Lord ; you must come to this.' Thus he continued giving his dying benedictions to all around him. On Monday morning a lucid interval gave some small hopes, but these vanished in the evening; and he continued dying, but with very little uneasiness, till Tuesday morning, August 22, when, between seven and eight o'clock, he expired, almost with- out a groan."]
THE EARL OF CARLISLE TO GEORGE SELWYN.
Trentham, 20 Sept. 1774.
I wish you joy sincerely of the prospect of suc- cess and tranquillity at Gloucester, and of getting away from it.
You must have heard of the murder that was committed near Castle Howard, just before we left it ; I shall refer you for the particulars to the news- papers. You must have dined with the man at Castle Howard ; he was three times at the house upon business after the crime, and no one perceived the
TO GEORGE SELWYN. 85
least alteration in his behaviour, or any appearance of anxiety in his countenance. If you should happen to be with us at the time of the assizes, I will take care to get you a good place at the execu- tion ; and though our Tyburn may not have all the charms which that has where you was brought up and educated, yet it may be better than no Tyburn. I have this moment received yours, and am very sorry to hear that the inflammation in your eyes has not subsided. You must be very careful, and if you contrive to drink Burgundy you will be as blind as Sir J. Fielding * We have not fixed any day for leaving this place : when we do I will let you know. We heard from Castle Howard yesterday, and have the pleasure to tell you that the children are all well. I am, my dear George,
Yours most sincerely, Carlisle.
[The next letter contains one of the earliest refer- ences, in the present correspondence, to a very curious passage in the romance of real life, the parental fondness of George Selwyn for his adopted child Mademoiselle Maria Fagniani, the present Marchioness of Hertford. It has already been men- tioned in the introductory memoir of George Selwyn, that, according to general rumour, the Duke of
Half brother of the celebrated Henry Fielding, and his suc- cessor in the post of chief magistrate for Westminster. Though blind from his youth, he was an active public functionary. He was knighted in 17G1, and died in 1780.
86 MRS. CRAUFORD
Queensbury and Selwyn each believed himself to be the father of the child, and that the impression that such was the fact was rendered still stronger, when the Duke of Queensbury subsequently be- queathed the sum of 150,000/., and George Selwyn 33,000/. It is necessary, however, to repeat a remark, which the editor has already made, that on an examination of Selwyn's private papers, " though there are passages which unquestionably lend weight to the supposition that either the Duke of Queensbury or Selwyn was the father of the child; or rather, that each severally believed himself to be so, — yet, in fact, there is far from being certain proof that such was really the case." The interesting subject of this discussion will be found usually denominated in the subsequent correspon- dence by the endearing term of " Mie Mie." She was at this period in her fourth year, having been born on the 25th of August, 1771. On the 18th of May 1798, she became the wife of Francis William Earl of Yarmouth, who succeeded his father, in 1822, as third Marquis of Hertford, and died on the 1st of March, 1842.]
MRS. CRAUFORD TO GEORGE SELWYN.
Richmond, 28th September, 1774. DEAR SIR,
Mr. Crauford informs me that you propose set- ting out on Friday for Gloucester, and returning the
TO GEORGE SELWYN. 87
Friday after, when you promise us the favour of a visit. I now write to request the pleasure of your company here on Sunday se'night to dinner, and beg you will come determined to stay some time. Mr. Crauford will be absent on his intended tour, but I hope you will not on that account think yourself released from your engagement, which would be mortifying to me, and deprive me of great plea- sure.
I enclose a letter to Lord March, which I beg you will order to be delivered to him as soon as he comes to town, I hope he will allow me the pleasure of dear little Mie Mie's company, of whom I will take the greatest care, which I was incapable of doing when she was last at Rich- mond. I was then very ill, and resolved not to ask her again till I could attend to her myself, and till I could accommodate her in our own house, which I can now do quite conveniently, as we have very good room for you and her, our family being once more reduced within its usual limits.
I am, clear sir, your obedient humble servant,
Jane Crauford.
88
LADY HOLLAND.
Lady Mary Fitzpatrick, daughter of John, first earl of Upper Ossory, was married, on the 20th of April 1766, to Stephen Fox, who, in July 1774, succeeded his father as second Lord Holland. The reader will have observed, in perusing the fore- going correspondence, that her name is never men- tioned but in terms of affection and praise ; while her letters to George Selwyn (a few of which will subsequently be introduced) prove that good sense, and a feminine softness of disposition, were the distinguishing features of her character. In December this year she was left a widow, with an only son, Henry, the late Lord Holland. Lady Holland survived the date of this letter only four years, dying on the 6th of October, 1778.
LADY HOLLAND TO GEORGE SELWYN.
Thursday.
There is no telling you, dear Mr. Selwyn, how very, very much obliged to you I feel for your good news. It was so good-natured and attentive of you to write immediately to me, that I never can give you half thanks enough. Stephen was well, then, and in good spirits on the 11th of May; that, to be sure, is some comfort, and as much as one can have at such a distance ; but there is the misery of such an absence, that one cannot give way to
THE EARL OF CARLISLE. 89
all the pleasure of hearing of him, when one con- siders that a whole month is passed since that time, and what a month may that have been ! Stephen must be there now, and the campaign is begun. I hardly dare allow myself to think a minute together on this subject ; and you may imagine how difficult it is to turn my thoughts from one on whom they would so naturally dwell.
Believe me, dear Mr. Selwyn, there are worse tor- ments than those you feel on Mie Mie's account, and you may at least always indulge yourself in thinking of her when she is not with you. But I have run on without considering, and I would not send so uncomfortable a letter if I had time to write another, for it is paying you but ill for the good news you was so good as to send me, and which has given me as much comfort as I can now have. Pray let me hear from you as often as possible, and remember us all kindly to Mie Mie. Yours sincerely, M. H.
THE EARL OF CARLISLE TO GEORGE SELWYN.
January 8th, 1775. MY DEAR GEORGE,
Your letter this morning made Lady Carlisle and myself very happy, and freed us from a great deal of anxiety on your account. Your doctor not consulting with James, gave me infinite uneasiness. In short, I had come to the resolution, if the ac-
90
THE EARL OF CARLISLE.
counts had not been favourable this morning, of taking my chaise, and trying whether I should have had influence enough with you to send for the only man who can remove a fever, when others cannot stir it. But, thank God ! all my apprehensions are vanished. Though I am very far from feeling cette lassitude de tout et de moi-meme, qu'on appelle ennui, yet there are moments when things make a greater impression than at others, and I could not persuade myself but that you was going to have one of your old violent attacks.
You will oblige me very much by discharging Mr. Hervey's rent the moment it becomes due. We will settle the account as I come to town ; you know I am rich at present. The idea of my being rich is pleasant enough.
Keep yourself warm. I would not for the world you had set out ; the weather is abominable ; winds, frosts, and snow. I have hardly set my foot out of this room for these five days. Lady Carlisle desires me to assure you, that nothing could give her more satisfaction than the intelligence of this morning. I am, my dear George,
Yours, most affectionately, &c.
ALEXANDER CRAUFORD, ESQ. 01
ALEXANDER CRAUFORD, ESQ. TO GEORGE SELWYN. DEAR SIR, Richmond, April 5th, 1775.
I have this moment received your kind letter, and though I hold the pen still with difficulty, I cannot refrain from writing to you. My Lord March hinted to me, the last time 1 had the honour of seeing him, his intention of placing dear Mie Mie at a boarding-school not far from town ; but he could not recollect the name of the place, which I think he would easily have done had it been either of the two which you mention. Where- ever he may determine to send her, I sincerely pray she may fall into the hands of humane, indulging, good-natured people, which qualities are by no means inconsistent with proper steadiness. Poor little lamb ! she has met with great tenderness hitherto ; and an opposite conduct, operating on her gentle disposition, might produce dreadful ef- fects : good ones it could never bring forth.
Mrs. Crauford is gone to town to-day, but I can answer for her undertaking anything for Mie Mie which can in the least contribute to her comfort; and your proposal, in my opinion, is highly proper on every account. My hand is so bad that T cannot hold the pen any longer. I always am, with great regard, dear sir, your most faithful ser- vant, Alexr. Crauford.
P.S. Pray present my respectful compliments to Lord March ; and kiss Mie Mie for me.
[Endorsed] " Mr. Alexr. Cranford, about Mie Mie."
92 THE EARL OF CARLISLE
THE EARL OF CARLISLE TO GEORGE SELWYN.
Castle Howard, August 8th, 1775. MY DEAR GEORGE,
Gregg came yesterday morning, and we have been employed since his arrival in calculating the expenses and making the arrangements of the fa- mily. I think, by making a great alteration in Conty's department, and by saving his salary, that we shall reduce the housekeeping very considerably. The other reductions are very different, for we have so pared away, that there is little of the superfluous remaining.
I see by Gregg's account that this will be an affair of full ten years. I believe the stoutest of the Grecian heroes, Achilles himself, would have turned pale at the thoughts of Troy making so long a resistance ; and I think you will allow any undertaking to be a little formidable, which non anni domuere decern.* Indeed, I do not give way in general to melancholy reflections, but endeavour to oppose to them every idea that can excite my courage and resolution. I consider the situation in which I have placed myself was my own option : the comfort, perhaps, of my own life, and the ease and happiness of Lady Carlisle and her children
* " Quos neque Tydides, nee Larissaeus Achilles, Non anni domuere decern, non mille carinse."
iEneid, lib. ii. v. 198.
TO GEORGE SELWYN. 93
depended upon it. I consider that the only return I can make those who have interested themselves so much for me on this occasion, is to take care not to give them the mortification of seeing their labours rendered ineffectual, and the kindness of their intentions prevented.
It is for these reasons that I think myself in honour obliged not to pass those limits prescribed to me, as long as I can possibly contain myself within them ; and obligations of this nature must, to every one of sensibility and feeling, diminish the difficulties. But there is a reverse to this medal, which, I assure you, I look at as seldom as I can, and turn that side from me as fast as possible. I cannot help feeling that, though this banishment is voluntary, it is still a banishment. If I had ever entertained an idea that, by attendance upon Par- liament, and by application and attention, I should have raised myself a little above those who never think or act seriously or creditably one moment in their lives, I feel it must be extinguished for the present: God knows if it will ever suffer itself to be kindled again, and, perhaps, no great loss to the public.
But, you will say, why not change, and make London your residence ? In the first place, then, Lady Carlisle would feel much more sensibly the deprivation of many things she formerly enjoyed ; her health would not support the air of London for the whole year ; she would fancy that it affected
94 THE EARL OF CARLISLE
her children ; and 1 believe that idea would do her more harm than any climate or air, even that which is reckoned so fatal in the marshy environs of Rome. A perpetual residence, therefore, cannot be thought of, and a temporary one must not.
Tuesday evening.
I have had a long conversation with Gregg, which, if I had benefited by it before, the tenor of my letter would have been very different ; for I think he has nearly proved that my living here is not only impossible, but that my existence any- where else is nearly equally so. I should, therefore, not have talked of perpetual residences, when tem- porary ones are out of my reach. The comforts with which these low people sweeten their tales of wretchedness, are more disgusting and painful than the evils they paint or officiously prognosticate. I should be ashamed to utter a complaint, or a pee- vish expression, if I was to suffer alone ; but, upon my cheerfulness, upon my spirits and ease of mind, depend the tranquillity of others, who have, neither by any dissipation nor extravagance, contributed to that situation which must render tedious and me- lancholy the hours of health and youth.
My dear George, you must take me in all hu- mours : this, you will say, is a bad one.
TO GEORGE SEI/WYN. 95
THE EARL OF CARLISLE TO GEORGE SELWYN.
Castle Howard, August 9th. [1775.] MY DEAR GEORGE,
The subject of your letter is of much too in- teresting a nature to make me think you ever can be too voluminous when you treat it even more copiously than in the packet I have this day re- ceived. By my other letters I am sure you will see how convinced I am of the necessity of a re- formation, and how prepared I am for one, exten- sive as it may be. I own very freely to you, that there were times when, perhaps, I should have had a mauvaise honte to have acknowledged my poverty, but then those were times when, perhaps, I had still a hope of putting off the hour of manifest- ing my situation to the world.
I will tell you what I think of your scheme about a villa, that may get rid both of the ex- penses of this place, and of the house in town. In the first place, it will have all the obscurity of retirement, without any of its comforts. I can con- ceive retirement here to be economical, because I derive many advantages in the article of house-keep- ing in this place, which in the other would be ex- pensive. Its nearness to London might make one frequently regret it was no nearer. Holland House, by its situation, would indeed have been
96 THE EARL OF CARLISLE
a very different thing. Used to spend a good deal of time, when I am in the country, in reading, I do not believe I could exist without my books or without dissipation. Reading without books of reference is like looking out of a prison window; you just see the prospect, and taste the air, enough to make you feel more sensibly your confinement. This is but a trifling consideration, I own, to the first, which is the expense, for I certainly live cheaper here than in any place in England.
Let us take a little more time before we come to a resolution, which is extremely important both to Lady Carlisle's happiness and my own. I will promise you one thing, that consideration for my family will be the first thing to weigh with me. If any of my caprices can be indulged after that, I am sure you will be the first to in- dulge them.
You know our post goes out, unluckily, the same day that it arrives, which never gives one time properly to consider any question that re- quires much thought. I have answered before so many parts of your letter, that I should only take up your time if I were to endeavour to an- swer it more methodically. I hope you are con- vinced of my willingness and submission to every change you can advise, and that I do not enter- tain a doubt of the necessity of that change.
I am obliged to leave off for the present ; Lady Carlisle, who has been a little out of order for
TO GEORGE SELWYN. 97
these two days, having found herself, since the morning*, very much indisposed.
The children are all well ; I hope Mie Mie is so. I am, my dear George,
Yours most affectionately, Carlisle.
P. S. I wrote a short letter to you the other day. I hardly know what I said in it, but no- thing, I hope, that could make you think I ever had a doubt of your willingness to serve me on this and every occasion.
It is now a good many years since our friendship began, and I am certain that no one ever expe- rienced so many real essential proofs of kind- ness as I have done from you ; I love to think of it, and love to acknowledge it.
THE EARL OF CARLISLE TO GEORGE SELWYN.
Castle Howard, August 15th, 1775. MY DEAR GEORGE,
We set out to-morrow for Cumberland. I shall think of you at your studies upon one of the old towers, where nothing but a crow ever studied before. Ekins meets me at Naworth.
I am prepared for losing our cause at Morpeth, which will determine my interest in the borough. The judge affects popularity, and the people will be very glad of an opportunity of demolishing
vol. in. h
98 THE EARL OF CARLISLE.
the ancient custom of the place. I hope your Gloucester friends will not be in love with Lord North at your expense ; I fear they will impute your not attending him to your bash fulness in such good company.
Lady Carlisle desires to be remembered to you, and I am, my dear George,
Yours most affectionately, Carlisle.
THE EARL OF CARLISLE TO GEORGE SELWYN.
Castle Howard, September 10th, 1775. MY DEAR GEORGE,
I got home last night from the moors, and found your letter, which came on Friday. I had good weather for shooting, except the last day, when I believe nobody but King Lear was ever caught in such a place in such a storm of thun- der, lightning, and hail.
You are certainly justified in your fears about the expenses of the house in town ; I own (and I acknowledge my weakness in so doing) that I have shunned the idea that the keeping it is impossible. It is a string I have not yet touched upon with Lady Carlisle. The parting with that house, and not coming to town, are but the same proposition. We could both, I have no doubt, remain here with cheerfulness and content for a longer period of time
THE HON. THOMAS BRODRICK. 99
than might be expected from those who have been always used to society (for here it does not exist), and to the pleasures and dissipations of the world ; but shut that door, and this place, like every other, becomes a prison.
I will say no more about this at present, for fear I should end my letter in low spirits. When and how are we to meet, for meet we must, if the Parliament sits till the end of October? If they will not part with you then, you must keep your Christmas here. We go on very well at present. Lord Gower was in town, but by your not mention- ing it, I conclude you did not see him.
Take care how you encounter broad-wheel wag- gons ; they are respectable machines. The brats are all well, and much grown. I am, my dear George,
Yours most affectionately, Anonymous.
But having dated this letter, I may put at least the initial of my name without increasing the danger. C.
THE HON. THOMAS BRODRICK TO GEORGE SELWYN.
[The Hon. Thomas Brodrick was the second son of George, third Viscount Middleton, by Albinia, eldest daughter of the Hon. Thomas Townshend. He was, consequently, great-nephew to George
H 2
100 THE HON. THOMAS BRODRICK
Selwyn. He was born on the 10th of Decem- ber, 1756, and appointed Under-Secretary of State January 13, 1795.]
Paris, September 18, 1775. DEAR SIR,
I have been impatient for the post to set out, in order to return you the thanks which I truly owe you for your assistance. We lost so little time on the road that we were safely lodged at this house (l'Hotel d'Ambourg, Rue Jacob,) on Thursday night, and I waited on Mr. Horace Walpole and Dr. Gem the next morning. The first I found at home, and was received with great civility and assurances of any services he could do me, in procuring me the sight of anything I wished ; and though Dr. Gem was not at home when I called, he showed your letter the attention of giving me his advice, when he returned my visit that evening. Since that he has done us the honour of dining with us, on pur- pose to explain himself fully on the subject. The same thing which you hinted at as a difficulty in my way, did not escape him. I mean, he thinks by my account of my knowledge of the language, that it would not answer my view of passing my time agreeably and advantageously, to be introduced to the companies in which you were acquainted ; for that either I should not keep pace with them as a hearer, or, at least, not be able to join in the con- versation, if I understood it.
I got the following account from Dr. Gem, of
TO GEORGE SELWYN. 101
the j)ersons mentioned in your letter to him, be- cause you spoke of having had an intimacy with them. Madame de Boufflers is at Paris, and in the same state as when you saw her. Madame Geoffrin is well, and lives as usual. Mons. le Baron d'Olbach lives in the country for the summer sea- son. He omitted Madame du Deffand, whose man- ner of living you know, because I told him that I had seen her at the Opera with Mr. Walpole. Mons. Francois is in France, but Dr. Gem does not know whether at Paris or not.
The masquerade, given a little while ago by the ambassador, on the marriage,* is reckoned to have exceeded all that ever were seen. The weather has been very bad till within these two days, or I should have executed your commission relative to Hochreau. The silk stockings I have ordered. I was more afraid of the man's sending me bad ones than of his cheating me of a few livres in the price ; therefore I ordered six pairs of the best, which are to come to fifteen livres a pair. If you are satisfied with the manner in which I have executed this, I shall flatter myself I shall have the pleasure of receiving some other commissions, if you think of anything I can do here for you. I am, dear sir, Your most affectionate and dutiful nephew,
Thos. Brodrick.
* A bul masque given by the Count de Viry, ambassador from the King of Sardinia, on the marriage of Madame Clotilde, sister of Louis XVI.
102 THE HON. HORACE WALPOLE
THE HON. HORACE WALPOLE TO GEORGE SELWYN.
[This letter contains an interesting notice of the celebrated Madame du Deffand, who, as we have already mentioned, had originally been introduced to Horace Walpole by George Selwyn. The former writes to Lady Ailesbury about this period: — "I have found my dear old woman so well, and looking so much better than she did four years ago, that I am transported with pleasure, and thank your lady- ship and Mr. Conway for driving me hither. She came to me the instant I arrived, and sat by me whilst I stripped and dressed myself; for, as she said, since she cannot see, there was no harm in my being stark. She was charmed with your present ; but was so kind as to be so much more charmed with my arrival, that she did not think of it a mo- ment. I sat with her till half an hour after two in the morning, and had a letter from her before my eyes were open again." * Madame du Deffand, at this period, had entered into her seventy-ninth
year.]
Paris, Sept. 16, 1775.
Mr. Brodrick brought me your letter yes- terday, and I told him, as you may be sure, how glad I shall be to be of any use to him. I shall be of little, I believe, as his object is to see things, not persons. Madame du Deffand would have been
* Collective Edition of Walpole's Letters, vol. v. p. 426.
TO GEORGE SELWYN. 103
more pleased with your message, which I delivered immediately, if she had had greater faith in it : yet, when Crawford and I come so often, how can she doubt her power of attraction. If possible, she is more worth visiting than ever : so far am I from being ashamed of coming hither at my age, that I look on myself as wiser than one of the Magi, when I travel to adore this star in the East. The star and I went to the Opera last night, and when we came from Madame de la Valiere's, at one in the morning, it wanted to drive about the town, because it was too early to set. To be sure, you and I have dedicated our decline to very different occupations. You nurse a little girl of four years old, and I rake with an old woman of fourscore? NHmporte ; we know many sages that take great pains to pass their time with less satisfaction.
\Ve have both one capital mortification ; have not you? That a great-grand-daughter of Madame de Sevigne pretends, for it is not certain, that she has been debauched by ancient Richelieu,* and half the world thinks that she is more guilty of forgery. The memoirs of the two parties are half as volu-
* The Marshal Due de Richelieu, so celebrated for his wit, his gallantries, and military talents, was at this period in his eightieth year. In 1780, at the age of eighty-four, he married a third wife ; and, by a miscarriage only, was disappointed of again becoming a father. According to his biographer, his third duchess, notwithstanding his repeated infidelities, was sincerely attached to her octogenarian husband. The duke died in August, 1788, at the age of ninety-two.
1 04 THE HON. HORACE WALPOLE
minous as those of Monsieur de Guines, and more are to appear.
You shall have some royal prints. New fashions in dress, furniture, baubles, I have seen none. Fea- thers are waning, and almost confined to filles and foreigners. I found out an Englishwoman at the Opera last night by her being covered with plumes and no rouge ; so well our countrywomen contrive to display their virtue !
I do not tell you about Mons. Turgot's * regu- lations and reformations, because you care no more about their patrie than your own ; but you shall hear a bon-mot of Madame du Deffand. Mons. Tur- got has begun several reforms and retracted them : she said, — Dans le bon viemv terns on reculoit pour mieuw sauter, au lieu que Mons. Turgot saute pour mieux reculer.
Of the house of Harrington I know as much as you do. Lady Barrymore is here,f and my Lord and Lady Harriot \ are coming : the first is exces-
* The French Minister of Finance. He was at this period actively engaged in the Augean task of extricating his country from her pecuniary difficulties.
f Emilia, third daughter of William, second Earl of Harring- ton, and wife of Richard, sixth Earl of Barrymore. She died in 1780. Walpole writes to General Conway on the 6th of this month : " Lady Barrymore has taken a house. She will be glutted with conquests : I never saw anybody so much admired. I doubt her poor little head will be quite overset."
J Lady Henrietta Stanhope, fourth daughter of Lord Harring- ton, married, in March 1776, Thomas, fourth Lord Foley. She died in 1781.
TO GEORGE SELWYN. 105
sively admired. Lady Alary Coke, Henry Gren- ville* and his wife, Crawford, Lord Coleraine,t and Lord Duncannon4 are here: the latter will carry this letter. There are many other English ; but I did not come hither to get acquaintance of that sort. Madame du Deffand has filled up her va- cancies, and given me enough new French. With one of them you would be delighted, a Madame de Marchais. She is not perfectly young, has a face like a Jew pedlar, her person is about four feet, her head about six, and her coiffure about ten. Her forehead, chin, and neck, are whiter than a miller's ; and she wears more festoons of natural flowers than all the figurantes at the Opera. Her eloquence is still more abundant, her attentions exuberant. She talks volumes, writes folios — I mean in billets; pre- sides over the Academic, inspires passions, and has not time enough to heal a quarter of the wounds she gives. She has a house in a nut-shell, that is fuller of invention than a fairy tale ; her bed stands in the middle of the room, because there is no other space that would hold it ; it is surrounded by such a perspective of looking-glasses, that you may see all that passes in it from the first ante-chamber.
* Henry Grenville, brother to Richard, first Earl Temple, had recently been ambassador at Constantinople. He married, October 11, 1757, Margaret, sister of John Hodgkinson Banks, Esq.
t John Hanger, second Lord Coleraine in Ireland. He died 20 November, 1791
\ The present venerable Earl of Besborough.
106 THE HON. HORACE WALPOLE.
But you will see her if you come in spring, which you will not do, unless you bring Mie Mie and Raton, and one or two of Lord Carlisle's children ; and that you will be afraid of doing, for Madame du Deffand has got a favourite dog that will bite all their noses off, and was very near tearing out one of Lady Barrymore's eyes the other night. Adieu ! I shall see you by the middle of October the 21st. Yours, &c.
P.S. Duncannon is not gone, but I can send my letter to-morrow, and shall.
To George Augustus Selwyn, Esq., in Stanhope Street, Berkeley Square, London.
[Madame du Deffand's " favourite dog," alluded to in this letter, was the well-known "Tonton," so often mentioned in Walpole's letters, who was after- wards bequeathed by Madame du Deffand to Wal- pole. The latter writes to General Conway, on the 8th of September, 1775: "Tonton grows the greater favourite the more people he devours. As I am the only person who dare correct him, I have already insisted on his being confined in the Bas- tile every day after five o'clock. The other night he flew at Lady Barrymore's face, and I thought would have torn her eye out ; but it ended in biting her finger. She was terrified ; she fell into tears. Ma- dame du Deffand, who has too much parts not to see everything in its true light, perceiving that she had not beaten Tonton half enough, imme-
THE EARL OF CARLISLE. 107
diately told us a story of a lady, whose dog, hav- ing bitten a piece out of a gentleman's leg, the tender dame, in a great fright, cried out, ' Won't it make my dog sick?'"*]
THE EARL OF CARLISLE TO GEORGE SELWYN.
Castle Howard, September 17th. [1775.] MY DEAR GEORGE,
When Lord G.f comes to town, I take it for granted you will have frequent conversations with him, and from the result of them I may gather what will be thought expedient and fit for me to do about Mr. H/s house.:]: I do assure you I have no wish to retain it, if it incurs expenses beyond that stipend within which, as a man of honour, I con- ceive I am bound to contain myself. If there is not a severe system of economy observed in what- ever house it may be my fortune to live, what- ever may be the rent of it, it will be unfit for me to inhabit ; and with these sentiments I see no reason why I cannot observe that system in one house as well as another, nor can I conceive
* Collective Edition of Walpole's Letters, vol. v. p. 428.
f Lord Gower.
X Apparently the London residence of Lord Carlisle, over- looking the Green Park, which had been formerly occupied by the celebrated Mary Lepel, Lady Hervey.
108 THE EARL OF CARLISLE
what the expenses are connected with one house that will not attend upon another, the size of which cannot be so materially different, to hold my family in any shape, as to be a matter of economical con- sideration, except in one respect, which is, the dif- ference of the rent. I apprehend that repairs, &c, will be pretty nearly the same in one of four hundred a-year, as in one of five or six hundred. I hope, my dear George, you will understand I only mean to explain my own ideas, not to combat any opinions that may be more founded in truth and reason. Pray forgive this bore ; I will not men- tion anything about a house for the next twelve- month.
Why should you not tell me what Storer said at Richmond ? But whoever was offended must have forgiven him when he danced his minuet at the assembly, or he must have been a very hard- hearted person indeed.
Bring any toad-eaters you will in your coach, and I will toad-eat them for having warmed your coach during the journey. I hope Ekins and his wife will pass some part of the next month here : he cer- tainly will if he is not laid up with the gout, which will depend a little upon the Morpeth cookery. Your Richmond ball is in the newspapers ; Lady Cooper, Mr. Selwyn, Mr. Storer, minuets, &c. Lady Carlisle desires to be remembered to you ; she is, indeed, very sensible of your goodness to us all. If you will not scold Ridley for me, pray, if he
TO GEORGE SELWYN. 1<>!)
lias any ears, pull them for me. lie has not yet sent my books. I am, my dear George,
Yours most sincerely, &c.
THE EARL OF CARLISLE TO GEORGE SELWYN.
Castle Howard, October 1st, 1775. MY DEAR GEORGE,
I had heard nothing of Gordon's accident, and hope very sincerely that the consequences may not be so terrible as at present are apprehended ; I can conceive nothing more afflicting.
It may be a point with Lord North to give Ekins some dignity in the church, but if we may judge from the manner in which he has already kept his word with me, his appointment will be in the vault before it is in the stall ; but we shall see what we shall see, as the raree-showman says.
I need not tell you how glad I shall be to see you at the time you mention, and how accept- able will be the company of Charles Hare and St. John, or whoever you will choose to bring. If these disappoint you, and you want some one to warm your chaise and scold the post-boys, without letting the glasses down on your side, Emily, the little parson, would be glad to attend you, I have no doubt.
Our weather is delicious, and I amuse myself perfectly well at present. I have a great deal of
110 THE EARL OF CARLISLE
time for reading, and hope I do not spend it quite unprofitably. The little business I have to do I am extremely regular in ; a circumstance I do not expect you to credit ; but if you recollect, by our present arrangement, that business is a good deal confined to the regulations and settling the family accounts, and does not require either much time or trouble to maintain a regularity once established ; therefore, upon second thoughts, you need not be so hard of belief.
By your account of Lady H.* and your society at Richmond, I would rather have lived in a wasp's nest. If she had one half of her struck dead with the palsy, I dare say the other half would contrive to be more active and restless than the whole of any other virago in England, and her semi-animate tongue would talk faster.
I am, my dear George, &c.
THE EARL OF CARLISLE TO GEORGE SELWYN.
Castle Howard, 13th October, 1775. MY DEAR GEORGE,
I find by a letter from Sir Joshua Reynolds that he has sent the pictures to Castle Howard.
* Apparently the famous Lady Harrington, who possessed a villa at Petersham, in the immediate neighbourhood of Rich- mond.
TO GEORGE SELWYN. Ill
This gives me some uneasiness, for, as well as I remember, he was one of those who were to wait. I was in hopes that the pictures might have remained till it was more convenient to take them out of his hands. What is to be done I know not, but I am sure you will agree with me that it is an awkward circumstance. Has he had any orders to finish them ? I have been very guarded since the commencement of this business, and have given no directions whatever of that nature.
I have got Madame du Barri's Memoirs : I have not yet read them, but shall, upon your recommend- ation. I opened a part which was not amusing, and laid down the book again.
Conty has a commission from Lady Carlisle to look out for a governess for Caroline in France, for education goes on but very slowly behind our backs, and it is very painful to be obliged to be continually finding fault, which will be the case if a great deal of the painful part of educa- tion is not taken out of our hands, or, at least, the same system kept up in our absence. Ca- roline requires as much regularity of this kind as any child I ever saw ; and takes the quickest advantage of any relaxation of authority. She has a very strong body and constitution, and de- mands as different a regimen for her mind as she would, in case of sickness, for her body, in com-
112 THE EARL OF CARLISLE
parison of other children of meeker disposition and more tender frames. I am, my dear George,
Yours most affectionately and sincerely, &c. P.S. I would not have you think by this, that, according to the vulgar phrase, her nose is put out of joint. There is no justice in such a supposition, for she is as great a favourite as ever, and her being so makes continual admonition more painful, espe- cially as her chief faults are owing to inattention.
THE EARL OF CARLISLE TO GEORGE SELWYN.
October 27. MY DEAR GEORGE,
I must be strangely altered to prefer a letter on business to one of amusement ; but you cannot wonder that I should be anxious to know what that person thinks and says. Even the method, time, and manner of saying will not be indifferent to me. Make your comments and observations, and be faithful in your relations.
If I had no children, and no friend, like you, to leave behind, I would ask for the Turkish em- bassy. Except the plague half the year, and the distance, Constantinople is not bad banishment, and if one attains nothing by such an employment but learning to sit cross-legged, it is better than doing nothing.
You have already heard my sentiments upon the
TO GEORGE SELWYN. 113
affair of going up to Parliament. I shall bear from you soon on that subject.
When will you come here ; for come you must. The house is very warm, and we will have nothing but clear frosty clays, with a great deal of sun.
Yours, my dear George, most affectionately.
THE EARL OF CARLISLE TO GEORGE SELWYN.
Nov. 5th, 1775. MY DEAR GEORGE,
I enter perfectly into your reasoning about the impracticability of preserving two establish- ments, here and in London ; the choice between the two will be better for conversation than writing. I own that the way of life I am now leading, the quiet, the place, the amusements which it affords, the room in which I am now writing ; where
J'ai mille courtisans ranges autour de moi ;
Ma retraite est mon Louvre, et j'y commande en Roi ;
are circumstances that have so many charms for me, that at present I do not know how to reconcile myself to the deprivation of them. But all these charms might vanish if I were to consider myself fixed here, and unable to move. I will tell you fairly what would satisfy me, which perhaps may be compatible with my other intentions, and consistent with my plan of economy, to be able to spend some time VOL. in. i
114 EARL GOWER.
here without removing the family. But this we will talk over very fully when we meet.
Administration is in a great scrape; their mea- sures never can succeed. We, who have voted for them, have a right to complain, for they have de- ceived us, and I suppose themselves. I am sure Lord North's behaviour to me has been such, that he cannot expect I should stretch a point for him. I will do nothing hasty or violent. Shall I hint to Lord Gower that I am not to be depended upon for voting with them; though I shall have infinite re- luctance in voting against them ? Would it not be right to communicate my ideas to Storer? I am very far from having come to a resolution of leav- ing them, but I give you my honour, I have scruples and doubts, which I shall endeavour to combat, and not to strengthen ; but more of this hereafter. When do you come to us ? I am, my dear George,
Yours most affectionately, &c.
[Granville, second Earl Gower, whose name so frequently occurs in the course of these letters, was born in 1721, and by his second wife, Lady Louisa Egerton, daughter of Scroop, first Duke of Bridge- water, was father-in-law of Lord Carlisle. In 1744 he was returned to Parliament as member for Bishop's Castle, in Shropshire ; and was subsequently twice elected member for the city of Westminster. During nearly half a century he figured as a person of great political influence, and during this period
THE EARL OF CARLISLE. 115
held a succession of some of the highest appoint- ments in the state. In November 1749 he was appointed a Lord of the Admiralty ; in December 1755 Lord Privy Seal ; in January following- he was sworn of the Privy Council; and in July 1757 he was constituted Master of the Horse. In Novem- ber 1760 he was nominated Keeper of the Great Wardrobe ; in April 1763 Lord Chamberlain of the Household ; and in December 1767 President of the Council. This office he resigned in November 1779, but was again appointed to it in December 1783. In November 1784 he was appointed Lord Privy Seal, which office he retained till 1794. On the 11th of February, 1771, Lord Gower was elected a knight of the Garter, and on the 28th of February 1786, was advanced to be Marquis Staf- ford. Lord Gower died on the 26th of October 1803. The present Duke of Sutherland is his grandson.]
THE EARL OF CARLISLE TO GEORGE SELWYN.
Castle Howard, Nov. 14th, 1775. MY DEAR GEORGE,
I am persuaded that it is unnecessary for me to say anything to convince you how sensibly I am affected by Lord Gower's kind behaviour and remem- brance of me, in the business which you have this day communicated to me. Compliances with desires, urged with importunity have certainly a right to
i 2
116 THE EARL OF CARLISLE
every nature of gratitude, but the being remembered when we are not present, and having favours con- ferred without any solicitation, must distress a grate- ful mind, as I assure you it does mine at this moment, to find expressions adequate to our feelings.
If you had not been so circumstantial in relating the conversation at Whitehall, I might have been led to think that Lord G. was eager for my accept- ance of the Bedchamber, in case it should be offered me. If his inclinations had been extremely strong on that side, I should be embarrassed indeed to offer anything in opposition to them, but the free manner in which he canvassed the subject, the generosity of sentiment with which he treated it, attended with so many friendly wishes and expressions, take away any apprehension which I might otherwise en- tertain of either vexing or offending him, by offering the objections that now occur to me.
In the first place, the profits are so inconsiderable, as not to make any alteration almost whatever in my present establishment. From particular circum- stances, I have no reason to expect, however long I may continue, that either by assiduity, attention, and respect, I can ever succeed to any kind of con- fidence with my master ; that familiarity which subsists between other princes, and those of their servants whose attachment they are convinced of, being excluded from our Court by the King's living so much in private, necessarily damps all views of am- bition which might arise from that quarter. There
TO GEORGE SELWY.V. 117
is no doubt, but the reasons that will be assigned for my acceptance would be the situation of my affairs. If it would be of use to them, it would be an un- justifiable mark of an attention to my own foolish vanity, and an unpardonable neglect of the interests of my family, to hesitate about it ; but as the ad- vantages, in point of profit, are so very inconsider- able, I cannot help owning that it would be more satisfactory to me, and I think more creditable at the same time, to confine myself to that sum agreed upon, and wait till something might be obtained of more real service to my affairs.
I will not trouble Lord Gower on this occasion, but desire you will communicate my ideas to him, which you know how to dress better than I do. They will certainly appear to advantage by the change of raiment. I am penetrated by his good- ness, and have the greatest reliance upon his friend- ship. I am, my dear George,
Yours most affectionately, Carlisle.
THE EARL OF CARLISLE TO GEORGE SELWYN.
I was this morning very fearful that I should not have had time to give you a separate line, in answer to the long letter which I received this morning, though I can add nothing privately to the objections which I have already stated. I did not say, (for fear there should be something offensive in
118 THE EARL OF CARLISLE
the expression,) that the Bedchamber was the lowest place to which, as a Peer, I could be appointed ; but I said, with truth, that I was penetrated by Lord Gower's kind conduct and behaviour towards me.
Forget what I lately wrote to you : it was the overflowing of a splenetic moment. Though I have a passionate and hasty disposition, and have as many rash follies to accuse myself of as any man, yet I do not think that I am often intemperately absurd and wrong-headed, when my reason, such as I have, has had time to operate.
I am sure you approve of my determination. In a very few simple words, you are the best friend that any man was ever blest with. The language of this, perhaps, is not very elegant, but it contains a truth that ought to make up for it.
THE EARL OF CARLISLE TO GEORGE SELWYN.
Tuesday. MY DEAR GEORGE,
'Tis a bad day ; Ekins has the gout, and his wife is sick. We have had a mad dog, who has bit two others and my gamekeeper. He has been in Lancashire to take the medicine, and is returned. He does not seem to have much apprehension, which may contribute to keep him well. All these things together affect me a little.
You tell me, my dear George, that you will
TO GEORGE SELWYN. 119
not flatter me that it is not my title, my rank, or this place, that is to give me consequence, but application in Parliament. I do assure you I am perfectly sensible of this truth, and nothing but fear of incurring expense would have kept me from that school, where some of as moderate under- standings as myself have found the way to rise. If you were witness to what point my studies and reading tended, you would find that Dante had but little to do with them. I believe I have looked in no other poet than Virgil for this last six months. I should have rather feared that you would discover too many indications of a dan- gerous ambition, which perhaps your good sense would have taken more pains to quell than to rouse. But, alas ! these are the consequences of absence and separation. Difference of situation and cir- cumstances alter very quickly all our ideas, and mine are so changed that I do not know them again. I find you railing at a vice, and squinting at me, when I have run quite through it, and got to the opposite extreme. You hint at indolence, and want of eagerness and spirit to come forward, when my own haste is likely to expose me ; but do not let this hinder you from giving me advice ; give me a flog, or ride me in a curb, just as you think fit ; only remember that I tell you I may run away. I am, my dear George, yours, &c.
120 THE EARL OF CARLISLE.
THE EARL OF CARLISLE TO GEORGE SELWYN.
Nov. 28th. [1775.] MY DEAR GEORGE,
I did not think you were drunk, as St. John said, but only mad with delight while the hazard- table was lighting up. And so we have only a little low play ; it can hurt none of us, and it all moves in a circle, and at the end of the year the difference will be trifling. Alas ! Alas ! Alas ! and we do nothing but drink gin-negus, and two or three other such febrifuges all the time : and then, looking at the candle for nine hours toge- ther is so good for the eyes !
I should like to see the trial of the Duchess of Kingston. Do not you promise yourself much di- version from the event. If this place were only one hundred miles from London, perhaps I might go. Poor George will never get his christening cup ; pray order it. We will trust it entirely to your fancy. St. John says he will come if he can to Castle Howard : make him come with you.
The mad dog was only below stairs. He bit the keeper at his own house, but did not appear to be mad here, for he suffered himself to be turned out of the kitchen, which was very ex- traordinary, as it was not half an hour afterwards that he was at the lodge. I kept him as long as he would live, which was three days, in which
THE DUCHESS OF KINGSTON. 121
time he had scarcely any interval of raving mad- ness.
[The trial of the Duchess of Kingston for bigamy, referred to in this letter, took place before the House of Peers in Westminster Hall, on the 15th of April, 1776. The scene is thus described by Hannah More : " Garrick would have me take his ticket to go to the trial of the Duchess of Kingston; a sight of which, for beauty and magnificence exceeded any- thing which those who were never present at a coro- nation, or a trial by peers, can have the least notion. Mrs. Garrick and I were in full dress by seven. You will imagine the bustle of five thousand people getting into one hall ! yet, in all this hurry, we walked in tranquilly. When they were all seated, and the King-at-arms had commanded silence on pain of imprisonment, (which, however, was very ill observed,) the gentleman of the black rod was commanded to bring in his prisoner. Elizabeth, calling herself Duchess-dowager of Kingston, walked in, led by Black Rod, and Mr. La Roche, curtsy- ing profoundly to her judges. The peers made her a slight bow. The prisoner Mas dressed in deep mourning ; a black hood on her head ; her hair modestly dressed and powdered; a black silk sacque, with crape trimmings ; black gauze, deep ruffles, and black gloves. The counsel spoke about an hour and a quarter each. Dunning's manner is insuffer- ably bad, coughing and spitting at every three
122 THE DUCHESS OF KINGSTON.
words, but his sense and his expression pointed to the last degree : he made her Grace shed bitter tears. The fair -victim had four virgins, in white, behind the bar. She imitated her great prede- cessor, Mrs. Rudd, and affected to write very often, though I plainly perceived she only wrote, as they do their love epistles on the stage, with- out forming a letter. The Duchess has but small remains of that beauty of which kings and princes were once so enamoured. She looked much like Mrs. Pritchard. She is large and ill-shaped ; there is nothing white but her face, and, had it not been for that, she would have looked like a bale of bombazeen. There was a great deal of ceremony, a great deal of splendour, and a great deal of nonsense ; they adjourned upon the most foolish pretences imaginable, and did nothing with such an air of business as was truly ridiculous. I forgot to tell you the Duchess was taken ill, but performed it badly." The writer adds, in a subse- quent letter, — " I have the great satisfaction of telling you, that Elizabeth, calling herself Duchess- dowager of Kingston, was, this very afternoon, un- dignified and unduchessed, and very narrowly es- caped being burned in the hand. If you have been half so much interested against this unprin- cipled, artful, licentious woman as I have, you will be rejoiced at it as I am. Lord Camden breakfasted with us. He is very angry that she was not burned in the hand. He says, as he was
THE EARL OF CARLISLE. 123
once a professed lover of her's, he thought it would have looked ill-natured and ungallant for him to propose it ; but that he should have ac- ceded to it most heartily, though he believes he should have recommended a cold iron."* The Duchess claimed the benefit of the peerage, under the statute of the first of Edward VI., and was accordingly discharged without punishment.]
THE EARL OF CARLISLE TO GEORGE SELWYN.
Dec. 5th, 1775. DEAR GEORGE,
As for hazard, the depriving you of so great a pleasure, or of any pleasure, I am sure is very far from my intention ; no one would wish more to contribute to them. We have both been ship- wrecked upon that coast, and a very dangerous one it is. There are some who play with you who play (I mean fairly) with such apparent advantages, that every farthing wre have must at last get into their pockets. That is a disagreeable consideration. Somebody proposes to play with Harlequin at a game which he calls a tot a moi. First one holds the money and rattles it, and then gives it the other, who does the same. Harlequin is delighted with the fairness of this new game, till he turns his
* Memoirs, vol. i. pp. 82. 85.
124 THE EARL OF CARLISLE.
back, and then the other runs away with all the money, and leaves him crying out a toi a moi.
I told you, I think, that I kept two dogs which I knew to be bitten by the same dog which bit my gamekeeper. To one I gave the Lancashire medi- cine ; the other I left to take his chance. You may be sure I had them properly secured. That to which nothing was given, went mad and died ; the other continues well, but I shall not think him safe under six months, and in all probability shall not then keep him, as he is a dog of no value.
The Bishop of Bristol, I hear, cannot live ; there will be some changes in Church preferment by that event. I can only sit still and wish for Ekins, for nothing occurs to me that I can do at present : if there is, let me know it.
We are all well. The weather is delightful. What is Hare about ? Lose much T fear he can- not ; therefore, if he is not winning your money, I hope he is successful. Pray tell Storer I will write to him soon.
I am, my dear George,
Yours, most affectionately, &c.
125
LADY HARBORD.
Mary, daughter and co-heiress of Sir Ralph Asheton, Bart., married, in 1760 Sir Ilarbord Harbord, Bart., created August 8th, 178G, Baron Suffield of Suffield, in Norfolk. She died in 1823. Her correspondent was Margaret, daughter and co-heir of James Smyth, Esq., of Canons Leigh, in Devonshire, and wife of Sir Charles Bingham, Bart., created in 1705 Earl of Lucan. The follow- ing letter, apparently, had its origin in the anxiety of George Selwyn to discover an eligible seminary for " Mie Mie." In fact, a few months afterwards, she was sent to the very school whose merits con- stitute the principal topic of Lady Harbord's letter.
LADY HARBORD TO LADY BINGHAM.
Gunton, April 8th, 1776. MY DEAR LADY BINGHAM,
You pay me so high a compliment in the con- fidence you place in me, that I should be a vile creature could partiality to a school bias me to speak an untruth respecting it. Believe me not capable of deceiving you ; but, my dear madam, can I give you a stronger proof of my good opinion
12G LADY HARBOIID.
of Mrs. Terry's school than my having placed a second daughter under her care. I have no reason to suspect her of any want of proper attention to her pupils ; on the contrary, I have found her on some occasions very assiduous and watchful in case of sickness. She has a large school. Some make that an objection ; but it is, in my opinion, obviated by knowing that there are teachers adequate to the number of scholars.
Campden House is a most healthy and desirable situation. Your ladyship must know there are ob- jections to all schools, but there are as few, I be- lieve, to Campden House as any others. However, to convince you that it is not my wish to influence your choice by extolling it too much, I beg leave to recommend you to go to Mrs. Stevenson, our old acquaintance in Queen Square. I hear she has made great alterations and improvements in her house, and that her school is very fashionable. I must give your ladyship a hint that the only master I disapprove at Mrs. Terry's is the dancing-master, and he is going away from thence. If you think proper to go to Campden House, which I take the liberty of wishing you would do, pray make it convenient either upon a Wednesday or Friday ; those clays being dancing-days, and those on which company generally make choice to see the school and their acquaintance. I regret exceedingly my absence from London, as I should have had the greatest pleasure in attending upon you there.
MRS. WAR BURTON. 127
What adds to my mortification is, that your lady- ship will not meet with my daughter Ilarbord, who was to set out this dav from thence to Bath.
You will scarcely give me credit when I tell you that there has been both hail and snow this morn- ing. My stay in the country depends in some mea- sure upon the recovery of my girls ; but I do flatter myself that my return to town will be before you go abroad. I shall, upon my arrival in Albemarle Street, make it my business to enquire after you. Allow me to remain, with my best compliments to Sir Charles, my dear Lady Bingham,
Yours most sincerely and affectionately,
M. Harbord.
[It appears, by an endorsement in the hand- writing of George Selwyn, that the following- play ful Address, purporting to be addressed to him bv the ladies of Gloucester, was from the pen of Mrs. Warburton, the daughter of Pope's friend, the famous Ralph Allen, and wife of Bishop Warburton] : —
TO GEORGE SELWYN, ESQ.
The humble petition of all the Alderwomen, and the other females belonging to the Corpora- tion of this ancient City of Gloucester,
128 THE EARL OF CARLISLE
Sheweth, that our wants are become very press- ing to have a commodious place of recreation, whereto we may resort by reason of the present fair weather, and for sundry other immediate causes. Now, your honour having it in your power to gra- tify these our wishes, or wants, or desires, by a small addition to your reservoir house, we humbly pray that you will allow to your servant, George Daniel, the sum of five guineas, who engages there- with to enlarge one of the rooms, and making thereto a most spacious bow-window, which shall for ever command your honour's corporation, and all your other voters, from any future attempts of opposition to your will and pleasure, how much soever you may find it convenient to leave them to their own inventions.
Presented by Madame l'Eveque, with her best compliments to Mr. Selwyn, after the morning passed in admiration of the prospects from Robin Hood's Hill.
29th April, 1776. [Endorsed] " Mrs. Warburton."
THE EARL OF CARLISLE TO GEORGE SELWYN. MY DEAR GEORGE,
I am very sorry that it is not in my power to accept Mr. Panton's invitation ; pray make our ex-
TO GEORGE SELWYN. 129
cuses to him. I would write to him, but have re- ceived both your letters very late. Caroline is much better, and I hope you have no uneasiness about Mie Mie.
The hazard this evening' was very deep. Meynell won 4000/. and Pigot 5000/. I did nothing.
THE EARL OF CARLISLE TO GEORGE SELWYN.
June 5th. [1776.] MY DEAR GEORGE,
I find, by talking with March, that he is dis- posed to leave Mie Mie with you as long as you like. I therefore hope you will be able to come to town by the time you mention.
My dear George, you may be sure when I talked of my circumstances, that I did not do it with a view or expectation that you should express your- self in the manner you have done. I thought it was one pauper complaining to another, from whom he could derive no advantage but compassion. I was very low the day I first wrote to you, and everything appeared in a worse light than it has since done. After what my friends have done for me, I do not look upon debts only as inconve- niences, but even as a sort of breach of my agree- ment with them, and as a perversion of their good intentions. It is no wonder that I should feel very much, when I found that I had not con-
VOL. III. k
130 THE EARL OF CARLISLE
tained myself within the bounds which I nattered myself I should be able to do, though there is nothing very considerable I hope in my exceed- ings : yet, as they are debts, they frighten me.
To tell you the truth, I am much better pleased with your present candidate, than with your blus- tering unintelligible knight : I think we shall agree better if we have the good fortune to choose him. Conty has desired me to recommend him to a French princess. I wish you would give me a letter to one in your best French : you have been used all your life to correspond with French princesses, so pray send me one.
All the Irish peers kissed hands yesterday ; our old friend Upton* among the rest : visum teneatis. One of their titles is Waistcoat, or Westcote,f I don't know which ; another Niass, or some such name4 This is a more geographical batch than some of the last ; they have looked into the map instead of novels and play-books for their titles, as
* Clotworthy Upton, Esq. (father of the present, second Vis- count,) had recently been created Baron Templetown, in Ireland. He died April 16th, 1785.
\ William Edwards, Esq., created Baron Westcote, of Bala- mare, in the county of Longford.
£ John Bourke, Esq., of Palmerstown, in the county of Kil- dare, created Baron Naas, of Naas, in that county. The other Irish titles conferred at this period were those of Nugent, Glon- dore, Du Vesci, Enniskillen, Orwell, Aldborough, Clermont, De Montalt of Hawarden, Macartney, Gosford, Clonmore, Milford, Newborough, Lucan, Macdonald, Newhaven, Clifden, Ongley, Shuldham, Doneraile, and Massey.
TO GEORGE SELWYN. 131
they used to do. Lady Carlisle is much better, and the children quite well. I am, my dear George, yours most affectionately, &c.
P.S. I need not ask after Mie Mie ; if she had not been well you would have mentioned it.
THE EARL OF CARLISLE TO GEORGE SELWYN.
You say, my dear George, that nothing has happened ; but "fai des dragons noirs" And pray what can you have worse ? they are not to be cured in that cursed air of London. You must come here, and they will vanish directly. I never had the dragons noirs, but I suppose, if I had, the first symptom would be a desire to be chosen of the Royal Society, or of purchasing a translation of Plutarch, four hundred years old.
You say you have a reason for asking when we come to London. If you will come here we will promise to return with you. When does the Par- liament meet again ? As Lady Carlisle must be in town some time in February, I should not be sorry to be at the meeting, if it were not the dif- ference of many days. I suppose the Duchess of Kingston will at last make her appearance in West- minster Hall. What the witty Mr. G. S. says in the newspapers is admirable about the red-hot poker, though I like " Diis placuit " better.
K 2
132 THE EARL OF CARLISLE
As for hazard, I own I had my fears of the damna aleatoria. Scott played with every advan- tage on his side ; a large sum to withstand a great shock. At non enim ipse semper felix, for I have seen him lose a very large sum. Do not play till I see you, and we will think of some restringent
expedient — some hazard , that you may play
in without great danger, except it breaks. I am, my dear George, Yours, &c.
MRS. TERRY TO GEORGE SELWYN.
Thursday, 3 o'clock.
Mrs. Terry presents her compliments to Mr. Selwyn ; has the pleasure to assure him that dear Mademoiselle Fagniani is as well to-day as her good friend could possibly wish her to be. She is this minute engaged in a party at high romps.
THE EARL OF CARLISLE TO GEORGE SELWYN.
July 2nd. [1775.] MY DEAR GEORGE,
I am surrounded by difficulties, and as fast as I get the better of one, another starts up, or rather, as fast as I have done thinking of one, an- other demands my serious attention.
TO GEORGE SELWYN. 133
In the first place, Sir R. P. will not be the per- son, as his views are quite incompatible with my interest. Frequent elections will effectually ruin us at Morpeth, and his expectations, if answered by Government, may get us into the same scrape next year. We have parted the best friends ima- ginable. I next made the offer to Mr. Mansfield, the lawyer. He had similar reasons for refusing it. We were then entirely aground ; but late last night I desired Storer to make the offer to Sir G. Elliot's son,* who has accepted, and is this morning set out with his father. Thus this affair is off my shoulders for a little time ; though in its conse- quences it may sit heavy upon them. The election may come on next Monday.
I have had a thousand wild notions and schemes in my head, but as they have all seemed, upon re- flection, more calculated to gratify the impetuosity of my own temper, than to form a plan for the hap- piness of those whom I am bound never to neglect, I have laid them aside. I hope, however, you will not think the following very chimerical and fantas-
* Gilbert, eldest son of Sir Gilbert Elliot, Bart., was elected member for Morpeth in the course of this month. In February 1777 he succeeded his father as fourth Baronet; in June 1795 he was raised to the peerage by the title of Baron Minto ; and in February 1813 was advanced to an Earldom. His public services as Viceroy of Corsica, Ambassador at Vienna, President of the India Board, and Governor General of India, are well known. He died on the 14th of June, 1814, and was succeeded by his son, the present (second) Earl.
134 THE EARL OF CARLISLE
tic. As the next session of Parliament must be a very busy and a very interesting one, I have hinted to Lord G * that I would move the Address. I mean, firmly, to take all the pains I am equal to, in following the business of the year, and if at the close of it I should find I am not qualified to get forward in what I have undertaken, I will with great pleasure submit to any retirement — I know you don't like the word banishment — that may better agree with my finances ; though, by the ex- periment of this winter, I fear it will get me into a scrape, and perhaps you will think it sacrificing too largely to ambition.
I am too much out of spirits to recollect any of the events of the day. I have seen nobody but people on business. I should be very sorry to leave London without seeing you, so pray let me know when you have fixed your day for leaving Brighthelmstone. Lady Carlisle is not very well. Adieu ! my dear George. I will write soon again, though I have reason to think with not more gaiety and cheerfulness. I hope Mie Mie continues well. All our children are so, and that is some consola- tion, and will always outweigh a great portion of uneasiness.
Yours most affectionately.
* Lord Gower.
TO GEORGE SELWYN. 135
THE EARL OF CARLISLE TO GEORGE SELWYN.
July 12th, 1776. MY DEAR GEORGE,
March is Dot yet come to town, therefore I could only leave word at his house that I saw you and Mie Mie at Brighton, and that she was perfectly recovered from her indisposition. I will take care to see him as soon as he arrives.
I can tell you nothing of Morpeth, for by a mis- take of my porter, my letters were sent to Brigh- ton. I hope they will not be lost, as they are of consequence : I wish you would yourself make in- quiry at the post-house, and send them back to me. There is no news of any sort in town ; we wait for American intelligence every day. Almack's was full last night for the time of year, and I believe there was a supper at White's. I found Lady Car- lisle well, and the children. Lady Carlisle was very happy to hear she should see you before her jour- ney ; I hope you will not disappoint her. Miss Vernon* is to be married on Monday ; Lady Gower leaves London on the Tuesday.
Mie Mie will be the stronger for her fever, for perhaps the cause has been lurking about her for
* Miss Vernon, daughter of Richard Vernon, Esq. M.P. for Oakhampton, had been married to the Earl of Warwick on the 9th of this month.
136 THE EARL OF CARLISLE
some time. It might have augmented if she had not had strength of constitution to have flung it out, and have got rid of that, and everything bad in her blood at the same time.
I am, my dear George,
Yours most affectionately, &c.
THE EARL OF CARLISLE TO GEORGE SELWYN.
[Circ. July 1776.] MY DEAR GEORGE,
I have undone myself, and it is to no purpose to conceal from you my abominable madness and folly, though perhaps the particulars may not be known to the rest of the world. I never lost so much in five times as I have done to-night, and am in debt to the house for the whole. You may be sure I do not tell you this with an idea that you can be of the least assistance to me : it is a great deal more than your abilities are equal to. Let me see you, though I shall be ashamed to look at you after your goodness to me.
To G. A. Selwyn, Esq.
Endorsed by George Selwyn, " After the loss of the £10,000."
TO GEORGE SELWYN. 137
THE EARL OF CARLISLE TO GEORGE SELWYN.
[Circ. July 1776.]
I do not pretend to much philosophy, but it requires more resolution than I am master of to bear up equally against the weight I have to sus- tain ; and there must be some moments when one's spirits sink, and courage fails. If the sun shines to-morrow I shall be better : I fear, if I go on much longer, you will think that the moon has more in- fluence over me than the sun. Lady Carlisle is very well. You may be sure I shall prevent this man from setting ruin like a bull-dog at her. She is very nearly made familiar with it, and if it is not made to fly at her, she will approach it with as little fear as any one I know. The children are all well.
THE EARL OF CARLISLE TO GEORGE SELWYN.
Castle Howard, August 2nd, 1776. MY DEAR GEORGE,
I wish I could say with you, that when I had sealed this letter my mind would be more at rest. It is certain, that to pour out one's thoughts to those who have tenderness and patience to listen to our misfortunes, does alleviate our sufferings,
138 THE EARL OF CARLISLE
but it is a temporary relief. The sponge fills again in a moment, and sometimes with augmented bitterness, when we think we are disturbing the tranquillity of those whom we most love and es- teem, and adding nothing to our own happiness.
There is no argument or reasoning in your letter that I can attempt to controvert ; there is no idea in it that does not perfectly coincide with mine ; I own, and submit to the truth of it. Brought up to no profession, I have only to regret that no road of that kind is open to me ; that, at the same time I was retrieving my affairs, I was adding to my reputation. I do protest to you, that I am so tired of my present manner of passing my time — however I may be kept in countenance by the number of those of my own rank and superior fortune — that I never reflect on it without shame. If they will employ me in any part of the world, I will accept the employment, let it tear me, as it will, from everything dear to me in this country. My friends and my family have a right to call upon me for the sacrifice, and I will submit to it with the resolution of a man. I would have held this language to others, but the discovery of my inten- tions might (instead of procuring me what my rank and birth entitle me in some measure to expect) have obtained for me, perhaps, the consulship of Smyrna !
If any of our expectations should be gratified in the winter, I cannot expect anything sufficient to
TO GEORGE SELWYN. 130
balance the expenses of living in London. If I accept anything-, I must attend Parliament — I must live in London. If I am not treated with consideration I can live here ; if that can be called living, which is wasting the best years of my life in obscurity ; without society to dispel the gloom of a northern climate ; left to myself to brood over my follies and indiscretions ; to see my children de- prived of education by those follies and indiscre- tions ; to be forgotten ; to lose my temper ; to be neglected ; to become cross and morose to those whom I have most reason to love ! Except that the welfare and interest of others depend upon my existence, — I should not wish that existence to be of long duration .
You tell me not to put my trust in the chapter of accidents. Of all mankind I have the least reason to do it. It never has availed me ; I never did rely upon it for a moment. If I was ever within the reach of a misfortune, I do not believe I ever escaped it. After having said this, I am free to own that there are two events of my life for which I shall always be grateful to fortune; — one, for having married me to the best woman in the world ; the other, for having linked me in so close a friendship with yourself, in spite of disparity of years and pursuits. These are consolations to me in my blackest moments; and I am too sensible of her merits not to entertain the sincerest attachment and regard for her, and the truest sense of your
140 LADY EMILY HERVEY.
goodness to me. Shall I write again to ?
Will it not be importunate to no purpose ? In short, my dear George, I shall only add, that what I could not perhaps bear last year, I am now disposed to meet: we become pliant by degrees. I will sub- mit to everything you think I should endure ; I will come into every scheme that more con- sideration can suggest to you ; I know it will be for my interest to adopt them.
When Mie Mie's parents arrive, I hope every thing will be settled to your inclinations, and that your success in any arrangements on her account, may serve to weigh a little against the uneasiness that my follies must occasion. I am, my dear George,
Yours most affectionately, &e.
LADY EMILY HERVEY TO GEORGE SELWYN.
Amelia Caroline-Nassau was the third daughter of the celebrated John Lord Hervey, (so unenviably immortalized by Pope,) and of the beautiful and no less celebrated Mary Lepel. After her father's death, Lady Emily and her three sisters were granted the precedency of an earl's daughters. She was the sister of George William, Augustus John, and Frederick Augustus, successively second, third, and fourth earls of Bristol. Lady Emily died un- married.
LADY EMILY IIERVEY. 141
Brighthelmstone, August 12th, 1776. SIR,
I was much obliged to you for your obliging letter, and am very glad to hear you got safe to London. I suppose Mrs. Sehvyn* was very happy at seeing such a sweet little visitor as lovely Mie Mie, and only had to regret that the visit was so short.
I feel quite angry with Madame la Marquisef for having hurried you and sweet Mie Mie away a month sooner than was necessary, for besides her being in a good air, and having the benefit of bath- ing, I have lost a sweet little pleasing companion. Pray, with my love to her, tell her I miss her every day, and that I constantly waft a sigh towards the window I have so often seen her at. I could almost be angry with you for not coming away immediately upon finding Madame la Marquise had not arrived, and did not propose it till the latter end of this month. You may still make it up by coming down directly. How can you stay in that filthy, empty, dusty, smoky town? Surely the air of Camden House cannot be so good for sweet Mie Mie as this. I have passed no pleasant evening at Preston since those I had the pleasure of passing with you and Mie Mie, and I long to have more of them.
* George Selwyn's mother. She died on the 6th of Novem- ber, 1777, at the age of eighty-seven, t Madame Fagniani, Mie Mie's mother.
142 MRS. TERRY.
My sister Caroline desires her best compliments, and pray remember us kindly to dear, dearest Mie Mie. I am, sir,
Your most obedient humble servant,
Emily Hervey.
[Lady Caroline Hervey, who is referred to in the last paragraph of this letter, was the youngest daughter of John Lord Hervey, by the witty and celebrated Mary Lepel,* whose beauty and charm- ing qualities Lady Caroline seems to have inherited in an eminent degree. Churchill celebrates her, in terms of no measured praise : —
That face, that form, that dignity, that ease, Those powers of pleasing, with that will to please, By which Lepel, when in her youthful days, Even from the currish Pope extorted praise, We see, transmitted, in her daughter shine, And view a new Lepel in Caroline I
Lady Caroline died unmarried.]
MRS. TERRY TO GEORGE SELWYN.
Campden House, Aug. 13, 1776.
Mrs. Terry presents her best compliments to Mr. Selwyn ; is very sorry to find that he is so un- easy. The dear child's spirits are not depressed. She is very lively ; ate a good dinner; and behaves just
* See ante, vol. i. p. 214.
THE EARL OF CARLISLE. 143
like other children. She hopes Mr. Selwyn will make no scruple of coming to-morrow morning, or staying his hour, or more if he likes it : she will then talk to him about the head ; but in the mean time begs he will not suppose that the dear child suffers by his absence, or that anything is neglected ; for if Mrs. Terry thought Mr. Selwyn could suppose such a thing, she would wish to resign the charge. Haste must plead Mrs. Terry's excuse for such a scrawl. She begs he will come to-morrow.
THE EARL OF CARLISLE TO GEORGE SELWYN.
August 16th. [1776.] MY DEAR GEORGE,
I know there is nothing humiliating in put- ting one's friends to some sort of trials of their affection, but there are some which are too se- vere to impose on any one. I know, too, that there is nothing more common than to lose the good opinion of those who formerly loved us, by making too free with, and by not seeming to respect sufficiently their esteem. II rty a Hen si respectable qiCune ancienne amitie ; but the duration of that friendship almost always depends upon the management and delicacy, which has been uni- formly and reciprocally made use of to preserve it. We commence our friendships from parity of tempers and dispositions, and from a thousand
144 THE EARL OF CARLISLE.
accidental causes ; but we carry them with us through life by art and care ; and the great art of all is, never to do anything which friendship may endeavour to excuse, but honour and justice can- not. But I do not mean to give you a disserta- tion upon friendship ; I only mean to express my feelings and apprehensions upon the step we have taken.
What is this story that Lady Ch. Howard has heard ? If there is a storm, pray endeavour to appease it ; old women are as easily persuaded one way as another.
Lady Carlisle's accident can be accounted for in no other way but by her being with child too soon, before she had recovered her strength. She was perfectly well here and had no fright : I never saw her in better health and spirits.
I am very sorry you are uneasy about Mie Mie's health, but do not think you have reason to be so, if you take your fears only from her looks. Chil- dren are very capricious in their looks, especially in summer. I by no means approve of your sending a physician to her, except she is really ill. I hate the tribe. They are ignorant and important, and I am too well convinced that they bear about more distempers in their clothes than they can cure. Have recourse to James's powders if she should ever have a feverish disorder, and trust to Mrs. Campden House to administer a little rhubarb if her stomach is out of order. I am sure you will
RIGHT HON. THOMAS TOWNSHEND. 145
not like mc the worse for talking like an old nurse. I am, my clear George,
Yours most affectionately.
RIGHT HON. THOMAS TOWNSHEND TO GEORGE SELWYN.'*
August 17th, 1776. DEAR SIR,
We are much obliged to you for your kind attention to us. Mary was in some measure pre- pared for the melancholy story of poor Mr. Darner's death, as we had last night some account (though a less circumstantial one than you give) of that terrible and shocking event. We all feel ex- tremely for what Lord Milton particularly must suffer from the loss of a son (whom he had upon the whole so much reason to esteem and love) in so deplorable a way. Mrs. Selwyn has had a pretty good night, and seems better this morn- ing than she was yesterday ; Mary presents her duty. My hand shakes so, that I hope you will give me leave to conclude, after having assured you that
I am, dear sir, your most affectionate brother, and humble servant, T. T.
[Mr. Darner, whose death is referred to in this
* See ante, vol. i. p. 132. VOL. III. L
146 THE HON. JOHN DAMER.
letter, was the Hon. John Damer, eldest son of Joseph Damer, first Baron Milton, and afterwards Earl of Dorchester. He was born June 25, 1744, and married, June 14, 1767, Anne, only child of the Right Hon. Henry Seymour Conway, (the well- known Marshal Conway,) brother of Francis first Marquis of Hertford. Mr. Damer became in- volved in pecuniary difficulties, which led him to have recourse to the last miserable alternative of the unhappy — self-destruction. At three o'clock, on the morning of the 15th of August 1776, he shot himself at the Bedford Arms, Covent Garden. Horace Walpole thus writes to the Rev. Mr. Cole, August 19 : "I am just now in great concern for the terrible death of General Conway's son-in- law, Mr. Damer, of which, perhaps, you in your solitude have not heard. You are happy who take no part but in the past world, for the mortui non mordent, nor do any of the extravagant and distressing things that perhaps they did in their lives." A Coroner's inquest sat on Mr. Darner's body, and a verdict of lunacy was returned.]
THE EARL OF CARLISLE. 147
THE EARL OF CARLISLE TO GEORGE SELWYN.
August 20th. [1776.] MY DEAR GEORGE,
I told you I wrote to about the Paris
business. I will transcribe the words of his letter in reply. " If Lord S., upon the death of Lord Cathcart,* or upon any other account, should resign, I should be very happy to contribute to your lordship's succeeding him in that agreeable, but 1 believe troublesome employment." Les mots sont