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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,
"VOLTAIRE.'"

"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.'"

THE HON. SIR EDWARD WALPOLE (1) TO MR. PITT.

SIR,

Pall Mall, August 14, 1761.

I TRUST in your generosity and elevated way of thinking for a candid as well as kind interpretation of this letter, from one who, if he errs in the extreme of a conduct full of delicacy in regard to his parliamentary capacity, yet never loses sight of the respect he owes to such singular merit as yours, and such public service; and however I may have at any time deviated from your measures, and differed from you in some particular points of consequence, which I certainly do, yet I have always done justice to those great parts of your administration, that have chiefly constituted your credit, character, and power.

And now, Sir, you shall know my business and request; which, whether complied with or not, will make no difference in my sentiments of you, nor in my conduct towards you; which, both to

(1) Second son of Sir Robert Walpole, first Earl of Orford. He sat for Great Yarmouth in several parliaments; in 1737, went as secretary to the Duke of Devonshire, when lord-lieutenant of Ireland; in 1739, was appointed clerk of the pells in the exchequer; and in 1753, installed knight of the bath. He died unmarried, in 1784, at the age of seventy-eight, leaving three natural daughters; the eldest of whom was wife of the Mr. Keppel mentioned in this letter; the second was married, first to James second Earl of Waldegrave, and afterwards to William Henry Duke of Gloucester, brother of George the Third; and the third to the Earl of Dysart.

you and the public, will ever be honourable and just.

In this shape I will venture to ask you, whether it is agreeable to you or not to make Mr. Keppel (') a bishop at this juncture? I know you do not care to encumber yourself with things of this kind; and, undoubtedly, such a man as you should not meddle with it at all, unless you were determined to have it done. I think I could give you many a better reason for such a step than the merely obliging me, which I look upon to be no reason at all: but, whether my reasoning would do as much credit to my parts, as I hope it would to my sincerity and good meaning, I cannot tell; and therefore I will submit the whole to your judg ment and pleasure, subscribing myself, with great respect, Sir,

Your most obedient

and most humble servant,
ED. WALPOLE.

(1) The hon. and rev. Frederick Keppel, fifth son of William-Anne, second earl of Albemarle, and brother of the gallant commodore; at this time canon of Windsor. In September, 1758, he married sir Edward Walpole's eldest daughter, Louisa. "We are very happy with the match," writes Horace Walpole to Sir Horace Mann; "the bride is very agreeable, and sensible, and good; not so handsome as her sisters, but farther from ugliness than beauty. It is the second, Maria, who is beauty itself! Her face, bloom, eyes, hair, teeth, and person are all perfect. You may imagine how charming she is, when her only fault, if one must find one, is that her face is rather too round." In 1762, Mr. Keppel was made bishop of Exeter; and in 1766, dean of Windsor. He died in 1777.

THE EARL OF BUTE TO MR. PITT.

SIR,

Friday night, half-past ten. [August 14, 1761.]

I HAVE thought it my duty to state exactly to his Majesty the opinion of this day's cabinet. The King has perused the draught, and desires the letter (') may be sent to M. Bussy. I must not, however, conceal from you, that his Majesty shows a great deal of concern at a matter of this immense importance being carried by so slender a majority, and has asked me several times, with eagerness, why words were not chosen in which all might have concurred. I do not remember having seen so much agitation concerning any question that has been before us.

The King desires you would not confine yourself in town, as no business is likely to occur till Monday. I heartily wish you may recover your fatigues by the country air, and am, Sir, with great regard, Your most obedient humble servant,

BUTE.

(2) Mr. Pitt's last letter to M. de Bussy. It was dated the 15th of August, and written in answer to one of the 5th, accompanying the ultimatum of the court of France —“ a court which, not satisfied," says Mr. Pitt, " with throwing so many insuperable obstacles in the way to peace, has not scrupled to interpose new perplexities in opposition to this precious blessing for which the nations sigh, by intermixing, too late, matters so foreign to the present negotiation between the two crowns, as are the discussions between Great Britain and Spain."

M. WALL TO THE COUNT DE FUENTES. (1)

St. Ildephonso, August 17, 1761.

I AM glad you have taken a proper opportunity of visiting my Lord Bute; who is too polite and well bred to be suspected of intending any disrespect to your Excellency in particular, much less as ambassador of Spain. I am greatly pleased to find this difficulty is removed.

Lord Bristol's courier arrived the day before yesterday. He has communicated the substance of his despatches to me. It is pretty much the same with what passed at your conference with Mr. Pitt. The despatch being in English, I desired my lord to give me a French translation of it for his Majesty's more exact information (as the subject was too important to trust entirely to my own weak memory), which he promised me, and I am waiting for it. Although it will not be proper to enter upon this matter until I see the whole, yet I cannot help expressing my surprise at that part of Mr. Pitt's letter which mentions the armaments and preparations carrying on in our harbours. (2)

(1) Endorsed, "translation of a letter from M. Wall to the Conde de Fuentes."

(2) The following is the passage in Mr. Pitt's letter to Lord Bristol, of the 28th of July, of which M. Wall complains: "M. Wall cannot wonder that your excellency is ordered by his Majesty to desire again, in this conjuncture, a proper explanation with regard to the naval armaments that have been so long preparing in the various ports of Spain; and his excellency cannot

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