SIR RICHARD LYTTELTON TO MR. PITT.

MY DEAR SIR,

Lyons, December 23, 1762.

It is a long while since I have written to you, being unwilling to trouble you with an idle correspondence, and for some time past I have been deprived of the use of my pen. This will probably find you in your sweet retreat, surrounded by your pretty prattlers. I should be happy to hear that, like another Socrates, you were playing at shuttlecock with them. (') Your wisdom appears alike, my dear Sir, in every thing; in retirement as in business; in your firmness and moderation; in the part you do take, and in that you do not take with others, according to your late declaration.

The Bishop of Carlisle (2) has, I conclude, agree

stopped at the threshold, and I have that satisfaction upon reflection which you so kindly foretel. I should, indeed, be perfectly happy in my present situation, if I did not continually lament that of my benefactor and friend, who can never more enjoy happiness or quiet; a circumstance which does not give less concern because it is of his own making. All those who followed his ideas in either house of parliament are removed from their employments, and also those very near and dear to me; nor is there any appearance they will ever be reinstated or recompensed." - Mitchell MSS.

(1) Sir Richard's speculation on Mr. Pitt's occupations appears to have been correct, as the following extract of a note addressed by him to Lady Chatham will testify:-"The principal event of Hayes is Hetty's chase of a butterfly, which she pursued over the daisy lawn, with the ardour of a little nymph of Dian's train; the sport was growing too hot, and we wisely agreed to whip off, and renew the hunt another day."

(2) Dr. Charles Lyttelton, brother of Sir Richard and of Lord Lyttelton, born at Hagley, in 1714, and educated at Eton

ably to my desire, given you the earliest communication of the offer the King has been pleased to make me of the government of Minorca. I received, in a most obliging letter from Lord Bute, this most gracious instance of his Majesty's continued goodness to me, with that duty and respectful acknowledgment that became me, and made a suitable reply to the friendliness of his lordship's letter, and the kind part he took in it. I am persuaded, my dear Sir, that you will approve of my conduct in this matter, with that kindness and partiality with which you have ever distinguished me. I am

Your affectionate humble servant,

RICHARD LYTTELTON.

MR. PITT TO SIR RICHARD LYTTELTON.

MY DEAR SIR,

[January, 1763.]

LITTLE able to use my hand, from succession of severe fits of gout, I make an effort with my pen

and at University College, Oxford. He studied at the Inner Temple, and became a barrister-at-law; but, entering into holy orders in 1742, he was in March 1762, consecrated bishop of Carlisle. He died unmarried in 1768. He was a great contributor to the "Archæologia," and bequeathed his valuable collection of manuscripts to the Society of Antiquaries, of which he was president. Dean Milles, who succeeded him in the presidency, sums up his character in these words: "His literary merit received an additional lustre from the affability of his temper, the gentleness of his manners, and the benevolence of his heart: his doors were always open to his friends; amongst whom none were more welcome to him than the friends of literature, which he endeavoured to promote in all its various branches."-See Archæologia, vol. i. p. xli.

to acknowledge the very obliging favour of your letter from Lyons, of the 23rd past. How shall I find words to thank you for all the affectionate sentiments which you are so good as to express, relating to domestic events, which arrive to your village-friend and humble servant? How kind are your thoughts, in following him into the small but endearing occupations of such a retirement as that to which he has been driven; where I fairly own that Lady Chatham and I find much delight in the little sage discourses of the diminutive philosophers who surround us. But for an unlucky jaunt last summer into Wiltshire, here, my dear Sir Richard, I should be happy indeed; and with a happiness too large and too perfect for a mortal man, had England been suffered to become what favouring Providence seemed to intend it to be. But I avert my mind from this contemplation, devoutly wishing that the progress of our country's decadence may not be so rapid as my mind forebodes.

As for whatever touches your particular welfare and happiness, my dear Sir Richard, I have only to wish, that you may find all satisfaction and consideration in the gracious mark of the King's favour, which you tell me you have accepted, and of which the Bishop of Carlisle had before your letter informed me; and that you may bring home much health, with all your own happy, social gaiety of temper, to enjoy amongst your friends all that is agreeable to you. I am, &c. W. PITT.

MR. PITT TO BARON DE KNYPHAUSEN. (1)

MONSIEUR,

Hayes, ce Seme Fevrier, 1763.

AYANT appris, avec bien du regret, que nous sommes sur le point de vous perdre, j'ai encore celui de me trouver, par un retour de goute depuis quelques jours, hors d'état de me donner l'honneur de me présenter chez vous, pour vous embrasser avant votre départ. Permettez donc, que je vous addresse ce mot de lettre, pour vous offrir tous les sentimens d'une estime respectueuse pour votre personne, et pour ces talens distingués, qui vous destinent à de plus grandes choses. Vous allez avoir la félicité de revoir, et la gloire de servir, un Roi, qui sera l'étonnement de tous les siècles, Oserois-je aspirer de ma part à supplier, que ce Monarque daigne songer, que, dans un village d'Angleterre, il y a un homme, qui fait sa plus douce consolation de le voir triompher de tous ses ennemis, et de contempler, dans les merveilles de son regne héroique, jusqu' où la nature humaine peut aller.

Je me flatte que vous voudrez bien me conserver une place dans votre souvenir, et ne jamais douter des sentimens d'attachement et de considération, avec lesquels je ne cesserai d'étre, &c. W. PITT.

(1) The Prussian minister at the court of London. See vol. I. p. 206. The baron left England a few days after the date of this letter, and was succeeded by M. Michell, hitherto chargé d'affaires.

THE BISHOP OF GLOUCESTER TO MR. PITT.

HONOURED SIR,

Prior Park, February 22, 1763

YOUR and good Lady Chatham's kind inquiries after me were the greatest consolation to me under my unhappy accident('); and I was impatient till I could make my acknowledgments under my own hand. They tell me the case goes on very prosperously; which, next to the mercy of Providence, we ascribe to a long habit of temperance; a temperance, indeed, which has little other merit in it, for I think I stumbled upon it in the pursuit of pleasure.

Your account, Sir, of your own state of health fills me with the sincerest grief. You have given superfluous health to a nation, and we use it as men are wont to use their superfluous health. You never misapplied your natural health, yet want it in the midst of the abundance you have given of the civil; but, Providence has been your guide and conductor, and I am sure is your great confidence.

I have the honour and happiness to be, Sir,
Your most obliged and

most devoted servant,

W. GLOUCESTER.

(1) In January, the bishop had had the misfortune to break his left arm, by a fall in the garden of Prior Park; the ill effects of which he felt for several months. In a letter to a friend, written in May, he says, "Be not under too much concern for