which I ever received. I was so proud of it that I could not avoid showing it to our two good friends, my Lord Lincoln and Mr. Pitt, with whom I had the pleasure to drink your Lordship's health. We were very lucky in the weather, and, without a compliment, wanted nothing but your good company. Mr. Pitt was extremely good and agreeable, and was here by twelve o'clock. Claremont put on its best looks. The Duchess of Newcastle, who sends her best compliments both to your Lordship and my Lady Temple, lamented extremely the want of your Lordship's company; I believe she had some message to send to her friend, my Lady Temple.

I wish I could yet send your Lordship some news from Germany.

Everything still remains in our army as it was. I think neither army looks likely to attack the other, in their present situation, though Prince Ferdinand will do his utmost to draw M. Broglio out of his strong post. The late fatal disappointment happened, by all accounts, from a disobedience of orders in General Imhoff, upon which subject a very proper letter has been wrote to Prince Ferdinand.

I beg my compliments to Lady Temple, and am, with the greatest truth and respect, my dear Lord, &c. HOLLES NEWCASTLE.

MR. PITT TO EARL TEMPLE.

Tuesday, July 22, 1760.

MY DEAR LORD,-As no accounts but that from Monsieur Maubert, of the events of the 10th instant, has appeared in our papers, I cannot leave you under the anxiety which even so unauthorized relations may

create.

Be assured then, my dear Lord, that the thing is of no material consequence to the sum of things; our loss not exceeding in killed and wounded and prisoners above 500 men. The English dragoons, a few squadrons, Bland's and Howard's, are covered with glory. Griffin, with two regiments of foot, greatly praised. This prelude, however, to the general action, which is supposed over by this time, is not a pleasing one, and we count the minutes with much pain, 'till news arrives of our fate. Three Battalions of Guards embark for Germany, we hope, by Friday or Saturday.

I trust your Lordship will approve this sudden and perhaps somewhat bold measure. The cloud hung heavy, spirits began to droop; dignity, energy, and éclat were to be added to our operations: or retro sublapsa referri Res Danaum: not a moment was to be lost, and I stand responsible for the event: may Heaven send it prosperous! If the news be happy, I hope to embrace your Lordship at Stowe about the middle of next week.

An absolute refusal from Turin. I have just finished another despatch, as a last effort to save our respectable friend, whose heart is almost broken.

I am, ever, &c., &c.

W. PITT.

Lady Hester is at Hayes and very well. My affectionate compliments to Lady Temple.

THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE TO EARL TEMPLE.

Claremont, August 2, 1760.

MY DEAR LORD,-The warm and affectionate con

cern which your Lordship so sincerely shows for the

great and irreparable loss' which I have had, and for the miserable object of it, my dear Lord Lincoln, will ever be remembered by me and mine with the utmost gratitude and affection. It did not surprise me, though it greatly pleased me and honoured me: I knew what the impulse of your heart would be upon an occasion where so many of your friends were so deeply affected and concerned, and particularly the poor dear unhappy man himself. Be assured, my dear Lord, no returns can ever be wanting on our parts. The poor dear Duchess of Newcastle feels every line of your letter, and indeed every one is too expressive, not to make the greatest inpression. We both join in our sincere compliments and thanks to Lady Temple, Mr. J. Grenville, Mr. Henry, and Mrs. H. Grenville: the Duchess of Newcastle begs also that would accept you hers.

Poor Mrs. H. Grenville little imagined, when we both had the pleasure to be there last Thursday evening, that this fatality would come upon us so soon. I never saw the poor dear creature gayer or more cheerful in my life. Your Lordship knew her, by the just character you give of her, and that must be a melancholy satisfaction to all her friends. Poor dear man! he is inconsolable, and indeed I can't attempt to say anything to alleviate his loss in any degree: I am afraid he will even, if possible, feel it more when his passion shall be abated.

I thank God he is tolerably well in his health, though much heated and agitated. He was blooded plentifully, and that step will secure him from any fever, from his anxiety and distress. The children, I thank God, are

1 The death of Lady Lincoln. She was near her confinement, and died in convulsions after three hours' illness.

extremely well. admit of any comfort, or indeed of hearing anything with that view, I am sure the very tender love and concern showed by your Lordship, and a very kind letter which I immediately received from Mr. Pitt upon this occasion, will give him the greatest comfort, and, if anything can, some relief. I shall watch the first opportunity of acquainting him with it. Give me leave to add a circumstance which, I flatter myself, will give. your Lordship some pleasure, as well from the thing itself as from the person who conveyed it to me.

Whenever dear Lord Lincoln can

When I waited upon the King, he was most extremely compassionate and gracious upon what he knew I suffered and then told me, I know Mr. Pitt has talked in the properest manner to Lady Yarmouth upon your subject. He hopes you will not suffer it to prejudice your health. I see everything in this that is pleasing and flattering to me.

I am, my dearest Lord, &c., &c.

HOLLES NEWCASTLE.

THE REV. MR. COTTON TO MR. GRENVILLE.

Princess Amelia, Plymouth Sound, August 5, 1760.

SIR, I have once more the happiness to arrive safe at this place, and beg leave to assure you that it affords me no small satisfaction to know, that our cruizing on the French coast for the last four months has had the desired effect, in effectually preventing the enemy from sending any ships or succours to their East or West Indies from the ports of Rochelle and Rochfort, for there still remain the same ships in those ports when

we left the station, as upon our going there in the Spring, and even one of the Enemy's frigates, which has long waited an opportunity to go for their West Indies, now lays above the Isle of Aix.

During our cruize we have anchored several times in Basque road, and sent a flag of truce to the Isle of Aix; and on its return was informed, that the few inhabitants received them very courteously, and there was not a soldier on the Island, nor any works of defence executed or carrying on; and upon the genteel supply of vegetables which they sent us, the truce left them in quiet possession.

We left Quiberon 31st ultimo, at which time Mr. Boscawen remained in much the same position he has done the whole season, with a few ships to guard the Bay. Admiral Geary was to sail soon after us, for his old station off Basque, where we left the following ships, viz., Duke, Prince, Newark, and Adventure.

Before we left the Bay, Captain Hervey' in the Dragon, with the Conqueror, Brilliant, Venus, and a Cutter or two, had been sent to attempt the conquest of the Isle of Groa, a small fortified island that commands the entrance into Ports Louis and L'Orient, but it proved unsuccessful; why and wherefore pertains to the assailants to make known to the world, though it is whispered that neither His Majesty's ships or men were to be risked in executing the plan, which is a new method of attempting conquests, and may be attended with beneficial consequences to the British interests when it is more fully known: but the reason I assign for its failure may be this: Mr. Hervey having cruized

1 Augustus Hervey, a younger son of John, Lord Hervey. His name will frequently occur hereafter in these volumes.