been bestow'd upon Bessy for nothing. If I saw her I could tell her that William Harry Edward Cavendish Bentinck, tho' he does not own many more months than names, begins to sing Malbrook most divinely, so that I am thinking of sending him my prologue and epilogue, hoping they will go pretty well to that tune; therefore I take it to be high time for a young lady of her standing to cry something else besides peaches and pears.

"I beg to be most respectfully remember'd to Miss Sackville and the ladies. I was sorry for Miss Leighton's sake to find Lord Derby with Lady Paragon, when I came with my book under my arm to read her part; we are great friends, however, tho' rivals, and I was afraid he woud have jump'd out of a three-pair-ofstairs slip last night for joy of the Carmelite, and I really doubt if he woud not, had not the spikes of the orchestra been in his way; he made it up with screaming. Sheridan behav'd like an angel both to me and the performers, and even Will Woodfall grinn'd a ghastly smile.

"What nonsense have I been chattering to you. If I read it over I shall not venture to send it. My only consolation is that it will arive in a December evening, and as Miss Jane has nothing to do of a Sunday night, she perhaps will read it, if nobody else will. "Lackington's daughter is recovering fast.'

RICHARD CUMBERLAND to LORD G. GERMAIN.

[No year] August 31.-The Duke and Duchess of Cumberland are here. His Royal Highness has given me two batches of politics of near two hours each, and "unfolded his situation in terms far above my idea of his capacity," lamenting the rejection of all his offers of service and asking my advice as to what to do in this crisis. He told me "how you had aided his negotiation and how much he owed to your friendly agency, tho' it did not meet success." "From what has this evening passed between Mr. Harford and my daughter I have every reason to conclude upon their certain though not speedy agreement."

THOMAS HUSSEY to THE SAME.

[No date] Thursday night. Richmond Buildings.--The issue of his conversation with Lords Hillsborough and Stormont showing him that nothing can be concluded upon the subject of the letter he wrote to his Lordship and the one forwarded by express to H.M. Envoy at Lisbon for his Lordship, he requests they may be returned, as well as the Prime Minister of Spain's letter to him. Will call on him.

THE SAME to THE SAME.

[No year] March 6. Richmond Buildings.-Writes to inform his Lordship that-hearing that Lord Petre "had imputed some

Cumberland's eldest daughter Elizabeth married, in 1782, Lord Edward Charles Cavendish Bentinck. This was their eldest son.

dishonourable view to his last journey to Madrid for which his Lordship thought that the whole body of English Roman Catholics might fall under the suspicions of government"-he has seen Lord Petre and insisted on his informing some of the Secretaries of State of it, and that he will probably inform his Lordship of his suspicion. Has never given Lord Petre any idea of his real business to Madrid.

XIV.-LETTERS RELATING TO THE MARRIAGE OF THE DUKE OF

GLOUCESTER.

SIR EDWARD WALPOLE to LORD GEORGE GERMAIN. 1777, February 4. Pall Mall." The respect I bear your Lordship and my esteem for you entitle me to your kind attention to this short address to you in behalf of the Duke of Gloucester: who has indeed a much stronger advocate with you than I may pretend to be, in your own respect and esteem for His Royal Highness.

"I will leave it to your Lordship's quick comprehension to supply what my feelings would dictate if your time were not too full allready with other big concerns, wherein your conduct will some day do you great honour. My business with your Lordship is little more than a painfull wish, hardly accompanied with hope, that some potent man in the House of Commons would try to get the Duke's debts included in the Bill, whenever it shall come into Parliament, for the payment of the King's debts.

"The Duke of Gloucester's debts are full thirty thousand pounds, and if this matter should be put in motion, with a favourable gale, would it be a very extraordinary indulgence to a person of the Duke's consequence to extend that thirty thousand pounds to something more for present exigencies than the mere debts amount to? For the same consideration and reasoning which points out the propriety and humanity of paying his debts will lead to an inclination in the breast of every man that has any delicacy to do it in such a manner as may prevent the idea of a niggard munificence. Barely to pay a man's debts that has been long encumber'd, without a small additional lift, allways leaves some distress behind.

"Your Lordship knows the Duke's is a great character, fine parts, great observation, acute discernment, judgement in forming and prudence in delivering his sentiments; honour, probity, and generosity; universally beloved and with all these talents (possess'd, not enjoy'd) in a state of banishment.

I think every man of real great birth and high rank must feel for him.

"In enumerating his virtues, I know I reach your Lordship's quickest sensations, and in calling upon high birth to support his cause, I touch another string that must vibrate forcibly upon your

Lordship's ear, and sound a note which Parliament should echo to the King, and ask if it is fit or decent that the brother (and such a brother) of so great a prince as is the King of England, should live sequester'd and proscribed for want of a help that would be trifling in the general burthen; and that he should sue in vain at a season of such prodigality, such profusion of pensions, grants, and etcæteras as is amazing; and so bestowed (in great part) as is ten times more amazing.'

LORD GEORGE GERMAIN to SIR EDWARD WALPOLE.

[1777, February, between the 4th and 18th.]" I must begin by making an apology to you for having delayed answering your letter for some days, but the subject of it was so important that I wish'd to consider whether there was a possibility of my giving any advice which might tend to the promoting what I should be happy in seeing accomplish'd.

"The Duke of Gloucester's debts could not come under consideration of the Committee of Supply without the King's previous consent, and the only parliamentary method of proceeding would be to address his Majesty to pay the debts of H.R.H., the House promising to make good whatever his Majesty thought proper to expend for that purpose.

66

You may imagine that such a proposition, unless it was known to be agreeable to his Majesty, would not meet with the support of the Ministers, and the House would hardly be prevail'd upon under such circumstances to press an address which might not be favourably received.

"I see no chance of Parliamentary assistance but from the recommendation of the Crown, and if that cannot be obtained, from a return of that affection which formerly subsisted between the King and H.R.H.; all other efforts will only tend to encrease ill-humour and prevent that reconciliation which every friend of H.R.H.'s must sincerely wish to promote.

"I agree entirely with you in the high opinion you have of the Duke of Gloucester's character. His talents will do him credit, his honor and integrity will ever claim respect, and I trust that his judgment will lead him to pursue every method which may speedily produce that happy union in the Royal family which every good subject must desire.

"I cannot end this letter without returning you my sincere thanks for the obliging manner in which you express yourself towards me. I shall be happy if I can deserve your good opinion, as I always wish to meet with the approbation of those whom I regard and respect." Draft.

SIR EDWARD WALPOLE to LORD GEORGE GERMAIN.

1777, March 2. Pall Mall.-"Particular bodily infirmities, to which I am subject at times, prevent me the honour of waiting on your Lordship, as in all propriety I ought to do if I could; nevertheless, you now have the trouble of reading only, not of

writing, my present purpose importing no more than to express my concern that your Lordship was not pleased to honour me with a more confidential letter than that which I receiv'd from you. By trying to get the Duke's debts paid, I could not mean that your Lordship should be the person to move it in the House without the previous consent of the King, but I did mean, and I hoped your Lordship would see I did, that you should speak to the King yourself in that behalf, preparatory to which the Duke himself can do nothing. He can neither do nor undo. What he has done cannot be undone. The succession to the Crown in the persons of Queen Mary and Queen Anne are recent proofs of the truth of this assertion. If so, the worthy Duke's being undone himself is a poor satisfaction, and the suffering him to sink when he should be raised is just the same as by any act to ruin him.

"Between active and passive persecution, between positive and negative destruction, there is no difference to the feel and but very little in the colour. And as to reconciliation, can your Lordship, can any man living say what method there is for him to pursue in order to regain the King's affection, if he never forfeited it? If your Lordship can suggest any such method, I dare say you will have the goodness to impart it to me by some proper hand or means that I may forthwith convey it to the Duke: who, I know, will receive it with double joy from your Lordship, as he is sensible you are his friend. And though your Lordship may think it too big a compliment paid to my understanding to talk with me freely on great and arduous matters and concerns of State, yet upon this subject you cannot refuse me an open and friendly opinion and assistance: moreover, as I have been on the side of Government throughout the whole of the contest with the Colonies, and have particularly admired your Lordship's firmness and perseverance since your accession to the Ministry in such measures as would force them, not court them, to obedience; persuaded as I am and as I once said to a considerable person, that an inveterate pox can not be cured by lenitive electuary, I have still a farther claim upon you. And here I stop, hoping still that you will speak to the King and that you will speak in time, and that you will think of me rather partially than otherwise; for turning the perspective glass diminishes too much and flings one at too great distance; likewise that you will permit me to flatter myself that upon a nearer inspection and better knowledge of me you would not be displeased with putting confidence in me."

The DUKE OF GLOUCESTER to SIR EDWARD WALPOLE.

1777, March 12. Rome." Dear Sir,-Yesterday's post brought me your letter of the 18th of February, the contents of which have given me not little uneasiness. I am truly sensible of your affectionate meaning in writing to Lord George Germaine, but I cannot but heartily wish your warmth of heart had not led you to take that step, it having been my plan for these last two years not to trouble the King in the least with anything that

concerns me, as I have too great reason to see how obnoctious I am unfortunately grown to him; besides, in the repeated applications I have made to the King through Lord Rochford and Lord North, my whole idea and wish has been to get a Provision for the Dutchess and my children in case of my death; a request that appears to me so much my duty to have made, and of so little trouble to the Crown to grant, that it preys much upon my mind my having as yet failed in, as it is surely both just and moderate. "As to the getting any debts of mine payed by Parliament, it has ever been far from my thoughts, knowing full well the little claim I could have for such an application; and being ready enough to confess my follies ought only to be redressed by my future economy. I am now ten years older than I was, and as my only object in life is the care and education of my children, I have long bid adieu to views of ambition. Mistake me not in this point, for whenever the King or my country call for me, I shall stand as forward as ever and shall let all paternal affections sleep for that moment. But till that time comes, it is my firm intention to pursue a retired and œconomical plan.

"I am as much at a loss as you are, Dear Sir, to explain Lord George's meaning where he says that he trust my judgement will lead me to pursue every method wish (sic) may speedily produce that happy union, dc., &c. I know of no fresh offence I can have committed since my first declaration of my marriage; and I had flattered myself that I had clearly proved to the King the absolute necessity I was under of making that publick declaration at that time; if ill minded people have misrepresented me to the King since that time, it is totally out of my power to know what effect that may have had. I have never troubled the King but for a provision for the Dutchess and my children, and I must again repeat it; that it's not having been granted me yet, grieves me to the soul. This application is misunderstood by the ministers, and the King is lead to believe that the granting it would be a mark of his approbation of my marriage; whereas it would really be but an act of justess. The late King of France in '72 gave the Duke of Orleans leave to marry, but required the marriage to be kept secret until the Dutchess should be with child, in which case the King would have received her at Court, but nevertheless immediately impowered the Duke of Orleans to provide for this Dutchess.

"The King of Spain last summer, tho' he had just made a new law to hinder the Infants of Spain marrying without the consent of the Crown, in immitation of the Royal Marriage Bill in England, suspecting his brother's intention of marrying, yet gave his consent to a private marriage, and allowed the Archbishop to marry them, and also immediately empowered his brother to make very great settlements upon his wife and children. I am further assured that the King intends soon to receive them publickly at Court. The Infant has been twice with the King since his marriage.

"I have now fully explained my reasons for wishing you had not wrote to Lord George Germaine; but at the same time must