MR. PITT TO COUNT ALGAROTTI.

[From a draught in Lady Chatham's hand-writing.]

HAPPY natures, whom science exalts and the humanizing arts adorn, are in nothing more distinguished from the rest of men, than by their peculiar delicacy in dispensing favours. The observation is indeed of very ancient date; yet never did the truth which gave it birth display itself so pleasingly, as in your manner of conferring such accumulated honours upon me.

The public suffrage of Count Algarotti could leave nothing for my ambition to desire; but feelings still more affecting could alone receive their gratification from the private flattering pledge of friendship, which your most obliging letter conveys. Thus it is, Sir, that you give fame and happiness; yourself forgetting all the while how invaluable the gift is which you so generously bestow.

I did not lose a moment in giving Lord Temple the pleasure of having what you destined for him; and he has charged me with assuring you, in the most expressive terms, that he is proud and happy to receive so kind a mark of Count Algarotti's remembrance, and that he begs to offer you his sincerest acknowledgments for the great honour of such a present. His lordship and I count the hours till our Argo arrives; for your work, more impatiently desired than was the golden fleece of

old, has not yet reached England. The daily expectation of the ship's arrival has made me postpone till now what I can no longer delay; which is to offer you, Sir, the respectful tribute of my warmest gratitude, and to assure you, that I shall never walk among the Elysian worthies, in that delightful garden you allude to, without my heart concurring with my imagination to place amidst that sacred band an illustrious son of modern Italy, whom old Rome would have viewed with joy, the Scipios have loved, and the court of Augustus have admired; and whom a Monarch, who combines Augustus and Julius in one, has distinguished by his choice, and graced by his auspicious smiles.

W. PITT.

THE EARL OF BRISTOL TO MR. PITT.

SIR,

Sunday, March 27, 1763.

LORD TEMPLE has just left me, after acquainting me with the purport of your speech, and the vote you gave in relation to the cyder bill (1), which

(1) As one of the ways and means of the year, a bill had been brought in, laying a duty upon cyder, and subjecting the makers of it to the laws of excise. In the course of its progress, Mr. Pitt strongly opposed it. "Every man's house was," he said "his castle; and if this tax was endured, it would necessarily lead to the introduction of the excise laws into the domestic concerns of every private family, and to every species of the produce of land: the laws of excise were odious and grievous to

is to be read the second time to-morrow in the House of Lords ('); therefore, in consequence of what you have done, I shall regulate my conduct, without importuning you for any previous conference upon this subject. I own my pride consists in having your fiat; as no one can be with a more perfect esteem or true respect, than I am, Sir,

Your most obedient humble servant,

BRISTOL.

THE EARL OF BRISTOL TO MR. PITT.

SIR,

Wednesday, April 6, 1763.

LORD TEMPLE being now out of town makes me presume to communicate to you some changes in

the dealer, but intolerable to the private person." Mr. Grenville, although he admitted that the excise was odious, contended that the tax was unavoidable. 66 Where," he asked, "can you lay another tax of equal efficiency?" And he repeated several times, "Tell me where you can lay another tax- tell me where?" Upon which Mr. Pitt, in the words of a song at that time popular, replied, in a musical tone, "Gentle shepherd, tell me where!" This anecdote is related by Almon, and also by Mr. Butler in his Reminiscences; who adds, that the effect upon the house was irresistible, and settled on Mr. Grenville the appellation of "the gentle shepherd."

(1) On the division upon the second reading, the numbers were, contents 83, not contents 49. This is said to have been the first time the Lords divided upon a money bill. The opposition to it was opened by the Earl of Hardwicke, who spoke in the house for the last time. He was answered by Lord Bute; whose mode of delivery was remarkably slow and solemn. It was in reference to this speech, that Charles Townshend humorously exclaimed," minute guns i

the administration, which I was made acquainted with last night. The Earl of Bute intends to quit the treasury; to take no other employment for the present, but to remain of the cabinet, and to be the personal friend of the King, though no longer the servant of the crown. Mr. Grenville is to succeed his lordship, to be chancellor of the exchequer, and the phantom of a prime minister: Mr. Fox goes into the House of Peers, as well as Sir Francis Dashwood: Lord Granby is sent for by a messenger to kiss hands, the latter end of this week, as lord-lieutenant of Ireland: Mr. Charles Townshend is to be offered the first seat at the admiralty board; and, in case he accepts it, Lord Shelburne is to be the first commissioner of trade. Mr. Elliot is not to be brought forward, as their phrase runs, till affairs are riper.

Whether all, or any, of these removals will yet take place, it is impossible to determine; but they were certainly fixed in this manner on Saturday. The ministerial resolutions are so fluctuating, that a sudden turn may perhaps make Lord Bute still determined on keeping things as they are; but next Friday (1) is the day now settled for the removals.

(1) In a letter to Mr. Montagu, dated "Friday night, late," Horace Walpole says, "To-day has been fatal to a whole nation; I mean to the Scotch. Lord Bute resigned this morning. His intention was not even suspected till Wednesday. In short, there is nothing more or less than a panic. A fortnight's opposition has demolished that scandalous but vast majority, which a fortnight had purchased. He pleads to the world bad health; to his friends, more truly, that the nation was set at him. He pretends to intend retiring absolutely, and giving no umbrage.

I will only add from myself, without making many comments, that if power is not placed in those hands, where superior abilities and inflexible integrity have a claim to its being lodged, it is indifferent to me who has the reins of government. I am, with the truest respect, and most sincere attachment, Sir, your most obedient, &c.

BRISTOL.

In the mean time, he is packing up a sort of ministerial legacy, which cannot hold even till next session. George Grenville is to be at the head of the treasury and chancellor of the exchequer; Charles Townshend to succeed him, and Lord Shelburne Charles; Sir Charles Dashwood to have his barony of Despenser and the great wardrobe, in the room of Lord Gower, who takes the privy seal, if the Duke of Bedford takes the presidentship. You ask, what becomes of Mr. Fox? Not at all pleased with this sudden determination, which has blown up so many of his projects, and left him time to heat no more furnaces, he goes to France, by way of the House of Lords; but keeps his place and his tools till something else happens."

The causes of Lord Bute's determination to resign are thus stated by Lord Barrington, in a letter to Mr. Mitchell, of the 10th of April :-" Lord Bute resigned last Friday. He will have no office; and declares he will not be a minister behind the curtain, but give up business entirely. The reasons he gives for this step are, that he finds the dislike to him has lessened the popularity which the King had, and ought to have; that he hopes his retirement will make things quiet, and his Majesty's government easy. To this public reason Lord Bute adds, that his health absolutely requires exercise and calmness of mind. He says, that he unwillingly undertook the business of a minister, on the King's absolute promise, that he might retire when the peace should be made. I am of opinion, that he had a clear and fully sufficient support in both houses of parliament; and therefore I deem his resignation voluntary. People are infinitely surprised at it for my part, it is when a man accepts the ministry, not when he quits it, that my wonder is excited." Mitchell MSS.