PRINCE CHARLES OF BRUNSWICK TO MR. PITT.

MONSIEUR,

Douvres, ce 12e d'Avril, 1766.

JE profite des derniers momens qui me restent en Angleterre pour vous dire mes adieux, et pour vous prier de me continuer l'honneur de votre souvenir.

Après avoir fait une tournée en France et en Italie, je compte, si aucun accident ne m'arrive, de vous rendre mes devoirs à l'assemblée du Parlement de l'année prochaine, et de vous renouveller alors de bouche les sentimens d'estime et de haute considération, avec lesquelles je serai jusqu'à la fin de mes jours, Monsieur, votre très humble, et très obéissant serviteur.

CHARLES,

PRINCE HÉRÉDITAIRE DE BRUNSWIC.

VISCOUNT TOWNSHEND (1) TO MR. PITT.

SIR,

Audley Square, April 21, 1766.

I HAD the honour to call at your door, to thank you for the justice you did me in your sentiments of my intentions towards the militia, when my

(1) The hon. George Townshend. See Vol. I. p. 181. He had succeeded to the peerage, on the death of his father, in 1764.

name was the other day, to my great surprise, thought worthy to be introduced into debate by Mr. Onslow, or Mr. Thomas Townshend. (1)

I ever had too convincing proofs of the aversion of a particular party to this national establishment, to doubt of their overturning it the very first opportunity; and, from what I heard this year of their gracious regulations, and the reluctance for a long time of the treasury to propose the usual estimate, I could not but conclude that, unless some auspicious event again interposed, they would judge this no unfavourable period, either totally to crush it, or give it such a stab as would as fully answer their purpose.

At length, however, after a thorough disavowal of militia, on the part of the chancellor of the exchequer, Mr. Onslow was prevailed on to undertake the estimate; so that from this time it was hoped, that the intentions of abolishing the annual exercise, which I apprehend was the principal kind of regulation the government had in view, was laid aside for this year.

stand

I am anxious, Sir, that my conduct may in the clearest light upon a measure, in which I had the honour of seconding you; and as I have ever esteemed it one of the greatest honours of my little trifling page to have been among the advocates of that truly great and constitutional

(1) This debate has not been preserved; but it appears by the Journals of the House of Commons, that 150,000l. were voted, towards defraying the expense of the militia for the year 1766.

establishment, to which the nation owes, in some degree, its high pitch of glory, and from which it may henceforth derive great stability, if it be blest with ministers who shall be wise and honest enough to prefer public and generous principles to party affections and the little jealousies of a court. I have the honour to be, with great respect, Sir, Your most faithful humble servant,

TOWNSHEND.

EARL TEMPLE TO LADY CHATHAM.

Sunday night, near 11. [May 4, 1766.]

MY DEAR LADY CHATHAM,

My company has but just left me, and I am tired to death. News from court differs much from the intelligence of last night. Lord Northumberland lamented there to Lord Coventry, Mr. Pitt's being gone to Bath; that things would be settled in the wrong way, unless he again made his appearance, &c. Lord Harcourt is gone out of town this evening, and Jenkinson with him, who came to take leave of George Grenville this morning, and is to set out upon a foreign tour at the end of the week. Lord Rockingham and Dowdeswell caressed by the King at court beyond expression. In short, the darkness grows thicker and thicker.

My whole company agree in thinking no change will be made, unless in consequence of some as yet unforeseen event. Lord Bute distressed to the last degree; adverse, yet not daring to take so decided a part against the present powers, as his inclinations prompt and interests require. In all events, I am most happy in what has passed, at every interview of ours; which tend all still more to increase towards you the love and esteem of, my dear Lady Chatham,

Your most truly affectionate brother,

TEMPLE.

Many kind compliments and brotherly good-will attend Mr. Pitt. A good journey to you. I shall see you, as I mentioned, at Burton. No secretary of state named (1); nor do they now pretend to guess who will be the chosen vessel. Lord Hertford has secured, I think, three reversions in Ireland for his sons. The Queen most exceedingly gracious to Lady Temple and Mrs. Henry Grenville. King not remarkable any way.

The

(1) On the 6th of May, the Duke of Richmond accepted the seals of secretary of state, vacant by the resignation of the Duke of Grafton. Lord Chesterfield says, "when his grace quitted the seals, they were offered first to Lord Egmont, then to Lord Hardwicke, who both declined them; but after their going a begging for some time, the Duke of Richmond begged them, and has them faute de mieux!"

MR. PITT TO LADY CHATHAM.

Bath, May 5, 1766.

My dearest life will be glad to see under my hand, that I am safe at my journey's end. It was only an airing from Hayes hither. I lay at Speenham lands, and dined here with ease; am now in my old corner at Mrs. Griffith's. The country

all the way was delightful, but with all its verdure, nothing so pleasing to my eye, as poor old Hayes; perhaps not Hayes itself, but what I left there.

When will you come? Not till business is done; the sooner after that, the happier for the wanderer, who, with all the waters of these copious springs, will not wash away for a moment the memory of parting, nor the wish of meeting. I trust Wednesday will bring me a letter, and every thing good; upon which pleasing hope, I shall live,

Your ever loving husband,

W. PITT. (1)

MR. PITT TO LADY CHATHAM.

MY DEAREST Life,

Bath, May 7, 1766.

THE sight of your hand and the contents of your wished-for letter have made my day happy,

(1) Lady Chatham says, in her answer to the above, “Every minute between this and Monday is more than filled up, and they tell me I MUST stay longer. I adopt your rule, that nothing is impossible,' and so remain fixed."