MR. PITT TO THOMAS HOLLIS, ESQ.

[From a draught in the hand-writing of Lady Chatham.]

Hayes, December, 1762.

Mr. Pitt, whose hand is still unable to lend its office to what his heart dictates to Mr. Hollis, must employ another's pen to convey his warm sense of that noble testimony, with which the spirit itself of liberty, under the name of Hollis, crowns his unavailing endeavours. However partial the suffrage, Mr. Pitt as affectionately cherishes the kindness of it, as he truly respects its authority.

With regard to the great honour destined to him from Pisa, Mr. Pitt blushes while he reads, and while he answers; and, standing as an example of human vanity, accepts with pride, what he too well knows he has not the least title to receive. Little did he dream that his name was to live to posterity, before Count Algarotti, by joining it with his own, forbid it to die, till literature shall be no more; thus giving him to be indeed immortal.

Mr. Pitt desires the favour of Mr. Hollis to convey to Count Algarotti, as soon as may be, these sentiments of respect and gratitude; at the same time offering to Mr. How his best acknowledgments, with the assurance of great esteem and consideration.

BAMBER GASCOYNE, ESQ. (1) TO MR. PITT.

DEAR SIR,

John Street, December 22, 1762.

THE liberty I take of thus abruptly breaking into your retirement is to be justified by nothing but the necessity of the thing itself. The friendship you have honoured me with, and the public and private esteem I bear you, make me fearful of taking any step in a public situation without your advice; and this emboldens me to ask it.

The offer of coming into the board of trade is now made me without conditions, and in a more eligible manner than before offered. Believe me, Sir, when I say, in this affair I have no wish of my own I have attached myself to you upon principle, gratitude, and respect; and could I flatter myself that my going into office was likely to impede any operation of yours, I should never forgive myself. At the same time, permit me with the greatest sincerity to assure you, that whatever station I may be in, I shall be ever ready

(1) Mr. Gascoyne was at this time member for Malden. He was the only son of Sir Crisp Gascoyne, knight, lord mayor of London in 1753; and maternally descended from Dr. Bamber, a celebrated physician, anatomist, and accoucheur, who, by this union of the three professions, acquired a considerable fortune, and in Hogarth's "Consultation of Physicians" is handed down to posterity. Mr. Gascoyne declined the proferred situation at this time, but accepted it on the formation of the Duke of Bedford's administration in the following April. He was afterwards successively appointed receiver-general of the customs, and one of the lords of the admiralty. He died in 1791.

to come forth, and shall esteem myself more honoured to be in action with you, than to sit in any official dignity whatever. A short line from you, freely declaring your opinion or your wish in this matter, will infinitely oblige your sincere friend, and ever most devoted humble servant, BAMBER GASCOYNE.

MR. PITT TO BAMBER GASCOYNE, ESQ.

DEAR SIR,

Hayes, December 22, 1762.

HARDLY able to hold a pen, I must not commit to another's hand my answer to the favour of your obliging letter; and, indeed, the matter of it is so delicate (at the same time that the manner is so kind towards me), that I frankly own I cannot offer you any advice. Your own sense of things must alone guide you in determining, whether you like to take part with the present system of measures and ministry; and in determining this question, you will do it upon the surest grounds, if -you follow the convictions of your own manly heart and understanding.

As I never in my life expressed my wish to any friend, either for their accepting or declining office, I beg your forgiveness if I desire, upon this occasion, not to break a rule which I have made inviolable. One general wish, my dear Sir, I sincerely form for you; which is, that the future

course of your political life-whatever deter mination you shall think right for your country to make'- may prove as full of satisfaction and consideration to you, as your merits and talents deserve.

I account myself highly honoured by the too favourable and the very friendly sentiments, which you are so good as to express on my subject; and am, with all regard, my dear Sir,

Your faithful friend, and

obliged humble servant,

W. PITT. (')

(1) The unpromising state of the Duke of Newcastle's party, at the close of the year 1762, is thus feelingly depicted in a letter from Mr. Symmers to Mr. Mitchell, written on the 31st of December: "At present we have nothing to talk of but changes, which fall heavy on the Duke of Newcastle's party. All those of his Grace's friends whom he has drawn into opposition with him are, or will be, turned out. It moves one to compassion to think of the poor old Duke himself, — a man once possessed of twenty-five thousand pounds per annum of landed estate, with eleven thousand pounds in emoluments of government, now reduced to an estate of scarcely six thousand per annum, and going into retirement (not to say sinking into contempt) with not so much as a feather in his cap, and but such a circle of friends as he has deprived of their places. The three lieutenancies he had, the last things he continued to hold, have this last week been all taken from him!" Lord Barrington also, on the 18th of January, thus writes: “You ask me what are the object and intention of our old friend the Duke: they were, to force out the administration and to force himself in with full powers. This having failed, I think he is at a loss how to act. Wisdom and virtue prescribe retirement and quiet, though too late and with a bad grace; but, as you well observe, the best and most moderate, when formed into party, may be carried lengths they never intended to go.' I, therefore,

SIR RICHARD LYTTELTON TO MR. PITT.

MY DEAR SIR,

Lyons, December 23, 1762.

Ir 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