THE HON. COMMODORE KEPPEL (1) TO MR. PITT. (Private.) SIR, Valiant, Belleisle Road, June 18, 1761. I HOPE I have not said too much in my public letter, as the whole I meant was to show the situation of the enemy, as well as the King's forces in these parts. By the reduction of Belleisle you have effectually roused France in every part of it, and I cannot help thinking they feel themselves so hurt and dishonoured, that they will risk their ships and every thing to wipe it off. That once a resolution of the court of France, can they expect at any time to do it with less advantage to themselves than at present? Before Brest they may fight upon equal terms. If they chance to escape the King's ships there, they may, if they time (1) Second son of William-Anne Keppel, second earl of Albemarle. He entered the sea service when very young, and, after a series of gallant exploits, was in 1760 made colonel of the Plymouth division of marines. On the conquest of Belleisle being concerted, he was nominated to the command of the squadron appointed for the cover of the siege, and, sailing from Spithead on the 29th of March, contributed by his prudence and bravery to the reduction of the citadel of Palais, the capital of that island. He afterwards rose to the highest honours in his profession; and in 1782, as a reward for his brilliant services, was created Viscount Keppel, and appointed first lord of the admiralty. He died unmarried, in October, 1786. "I ever looked on Lord Keppel," says Burke, in his Letter to the Duke of Bedford," as one of the greatest and best men of the age, and I loved and cultivated him accordingly: he was much in my heart, and I believe I was in his to the very last beat.” their business and are lucky, be with our squadron at Basque road at the spring tides, when their ships in Rochefort are pushing out. This fortunate junction for them would very probably prove unfortunate for the King's squadron there; but as every thing is now situated and appears, I think it would be disreputable to withdraw the squadron, upon a supposition of what may happen. I wish it could be supported and made up sixteen ships. I have, to enable Sir Thomas Stanhope to give the enemy a good reception, reduced myself to eight sail, two of which ships I have just sent to look into the Vilaine, where the enemy have two ready, and are endeavouring to make three others fit. I hope the disposition I have made of the force under my command will be thought well of. Time must show what the enemy intend; and I trust every part will be re-enforced, that nothing may be left to chance that can be provided against. I am, Sir, with respect, your most obedient servant, A. KEPPEL. MR. PITT TO LADY HESTER PITT. July 2, 1761. MY DEAREST LIFE, I HAVE gone through the labours of the corps diplomatique from ten this morning till past two, and am not at all the worse for the sweat of my brow. I have just received an epistle from Pam (1), with a continuation of good accounts from the nursery. All are in perfect health. I propose to see them tomorrow evening, and to devote Saturday to children. and to hay-making; and I hope Sunday will prove a day of rest from business — a day of impatience, but of a sweeter kind, it is sure to prove, big with the dear expectation of receiving again my delight and comfort on Monday. The enclosed note to Lord Temple you will be so good as to deliver to him. My compliments to all. Your ever loving husband, W. PITT. M DE VOLTAIRE TO MR. PITT. MONSIEUR, Au Chateau de fernay, près de WHILE you weight the interets of england and france, y' great mind may at one time reconcile Corneille with Shakespear. Y' name at the head of Subscribers shall be the greatest honour the letters can receive, t'is worthy of the greatest ministers to protect the greatest writers. j dare not (1) A familiar name of Mrs. Sparry, a most faithful and attached servant, who, in the capacity of nurse, brought up all the children. ask the name of the King; but I am assuming enough, to desire earnestly so great a favour. Je suis avec un respect infini pour votre personne et pour vos grandes actions, Monsieur, Votre très humble et très obeissant serviteur, gentilhome ord. de la chambre du roy. MR. PITT TO M. DE VOLTAIRE. [From a draught in Lady Hester Pitt's hand-writing.] St. James's Square, September 4, 1761. THE pressure of business is but a feeble reason for having deferred answering the honour of a letter from M. de Voltaire, and on so interesting a subject. For who so insensible to the true spirit of poetry, as not to admire the works and respect the posterity of the great Corneille? or what more flattering than to second, in any manner, those pious cares, offered to the manes of the founder of (1) Voltaire was at this time engaged in editing an edition of the works of Corneille, the profits arising from which were to be applied to the benefit of a grand niece of that illustrious man, whom the philosopher of Fernay had taken into his house, and treated as his own child. The work was published in 1764, in twelve volumes, octavo. Among the subscribers were the King of France for two hundred copies, nearly all the princes of the blood, Madame Pompadour, the Duke de Choiseul, &c. Voltaire himself subscribed for a hundred copies. French tragedy by the genius who was reserved to perfect it? I feel the high value of the favourable sentiments you are so good as to express on my subject, and am happy in this occasion of assuring you of the distinguished consideration with which I have the honour to be, &c. W. PITT. (') (1) In writing to Mr. Pitt, on the 28th of August, Mr. Stanley says: "I have received the enclosed letter from Voltaire, whom I never saw, on my subscribing to an edition of Corneille. You will judge whether I have got off as well as my Lord Lyttelton: "M. DE VOLTAIRE TO MR. STANLEY. "Sir, "I hear that when you take our settlements, you take subscriptions too. Corneille belongs to every nation, and especially to those who greatly think, and bravely die: had Shakespeare left a grand-daughter, I would subscribe for her. Give me leave to thank you for what you do in favour of Corneille's blood. "I am, with respect, Sir, Your most humble obedient servant, "MR. STANLEY TO M. DE VOLTAIRE. "Monsieur, "C'est au père de la tragédie Françoise que j'ai voulu rendre mes foibles hommages: je suis charmé de les voir approuvés par le plus digne de sa postérité poétique. Je suis bien interessé à croire avec vous que les génies supérieurs appartiennent à outes les nations. J'adopte avec empressement cette ideé, puisqu' elle m'autorise à réclamer Voltaire pour compatriote. "J'ai l'honneur d'être, &c. "H. STANLEY.'" |