had better be changed, because confidence follows directly, and instead of it, will, I am most certain, be found to deserve it.

8th Section. If it be thought necessary to shorten the Speech, I should imagine this section might be omitted, and the 9th would follow the 7th perfectly well.

THE EARL OF BUTE TO MR. GRENVILLE.

Half-past 3, June (1), 1762.

Dear George,—I have been forced to confine myself this morning, and, indeed, to be denied to everybody that called except Lord Mansfield, with whom I had particular business: be so good, therefore, to excuse me to Lord Egremont, and accept of my excuse yourself, as I can't attend you.

I congratulate you on the state of the King's health. His Majesty writes me word that he gave you his orders himself concerning to-morrow'. I am directed to send Halifax to the King, who has accepted', if His Majesty shall think proper, in the handsomest manner. with the greatest regard,

I am,

BUTE.

EARL TEMPLE TO MR. WILKES.

(June 14?) 1762.

As to public events, I am sorry to see that the paper hostilities are renewed with so high a degree of acri

The prorogation of Parliament.

2 To continue First Lord of the Admiralty.

3 From a corrected and much obliterated draught in Lord Temple's handwriting. The very guarded manner in which this letter is

mony, as now appears on all sides, and though I make it a rule not to agitate any matter of a political nature by the post, that Argus with at least an hundred eyes, yet whilst my thoughts agree with Government, I may venture to hazard them, subject even to that inspection.

I am quite at a loss to guess through what channel the North Briton flows, but I suppose it is meant to be a Southern stream productive of good to the public; but I fear the merchandize it bears will be attended with contrary effects, attacking at once the whole nation of Scotland, by wholesale and retail in so very invidious a manner; and Lord B.'s name at full length may be attended with unhappy consequences in many lights, falling afterwards so roughly upon the whole body of country gentlemen, whose public conduct has been really meritorious; and at the same time attacking a private gentleman by name, of parts and literary talents, without provocation, are things which cannot meet with the approbation of the public at large.

But I insensibly grow grave, convinced that the sooner this scene of indiscriminate and excessive personality is closed, the better, and that the Briton left to himself is left to his worst enemy.

As the N. B. will, I suppose, endeavour by every means to lie concealed, it will be impossible to ferret

expressed renders it probable that Lord Temple expected it would be read at the Post Office before it reached its destination, for it cannot be supposed that he was ignorant of the connection between the North Briton and Wilkes. Almon, mentioning the commencement of that paper, says, "Lord Temple was not ignorant of his friend's design before he put it in execution, and certainly approved of it." There is no date to the above letter, but it appears to have been written after the publication of the second number of the North Briton, and "the private gentleman of parts and literary talent" may mean Horace Walpole, who is alluded to "by name."

him out, and give him good advice, otherwise I am sure I could convince him; but of this no more, nor, indeed, is it a subject that can be treated by letter, but from the abundance of the conviction the heart speaketh upon an interesting subject to a friend, who is no otherwise interested in it than as a well wisher to the public, which I have ever found you to be, and you will ever find me, my dear Wilkes, most truly your sincere wellwisher and devoted Friend and Servant.

THE EARL OF EGREMONT TO MR. GRENVILLE.

Saturday night, 11 o'clock (June 19, 1762).

DEAR SIR,-The Lisbon mail being come in to-day, I send it to you with some other papers to amuse you for an hour in your rustication.

The King sent for me this day, and opened his thoughts to me entirely upon the great business of Monday.

I think, by what he said, our conversation of yesterday had its effect with our friend; and I am desired to open the Council, as I wished to do. Had he not sent to me I should have taken the opportunity to day to have talked to him upon a matter I did not care to open before you, which I have settled to my satisfaction. Had the Duke of N. been my colleague I should not have ventured this last sentence. I will explain my meaning when we meet, which may be very soon; for if Count La Lippe' (who goes on Monday)

1 Sovereign of a petty state, lying on the confines of Hanover and Westphalia. He was now al out to proceed to Portugal to take the chief command of the troops. See a good account of this remarkable

does not detain me, I propose coming to dine with Lady Blandford' to-morrow. I am, ever, &c.

EGREMONT.

EARL TEMPLE TO MR. WILKES 2.

June 20, 1762.

SIR, AS all the sins of the Monitor against the ruling powers are principally charged upon our friend Mr. B., and then by way of rebound upon two other persons, to whom the Monitor has been so kindly partial, it is of the more moment to avoid that sort of personality which regards any of the RF. I am, therefore, glad my hint came at least time enough to prevent the publication of what would have filled up the whole measure of offence, and could not but have been much commented upon to the disadvantage of those it might mean to serve: as to other matters, sportsmen I suppose are at liberty to pursue lawful game, I am only solicitous to have them not trespass within the bounds of royal manors, and not start something of a delicate and personal nature, which should be avoided.

I believe there is not the least foundation for the oc

man in a note by Sir Denis Le Marchant to Horace Walpole's Memoirs of George the Third, vol. i. p. 145. His mother is said to have been a daughter of George the First, by the Duchess of Kendal.

1 Lord Egremont's mother-in-law, the widow of Sir William Wyndham.

2 From a draught in Lord Temple's hand. It is, no doubt, intended for Wilkes; but was probably copied by another person for transmission by the post, and not signed, as it contains an allusion to Mr. Pitt and Lord Temple, which the latter would not be likely to make in his own handwriting.

3

Beardmore, an Attorney employed by Lord Temple, was supposed to be a writer in the Monitor.

casional reports of Mr. P. and Lord T's return into the King's service. I hope I may be allowed to defray the loss and the expense of laying aside the paper you sent me, and that I shall have the pleasure of seeing you according to your promise.

I am, Sir, your obliged and obedient Servant.

EARL TEMPLE TO MR. WILKES.

Stowe, June 27, 1762.

MY DEAR COLONEL,-I lose not a moment's time in certifying the name of Mr. John Hammond to His Majesty, and will send his commission as soon as it is in my power.

You don't mention anything of the commissions I sent you, and of the date you gave to that of Tomkins, but I take it for granted you have received them.

I have no commission of Deputy Lieutenant by me, having left even the form in London; but I must contrive some way to get one, that Tomkins's wish may be gratified. You do not send me the name of the new surgeon (I hope a Scotchman), otherwise I would have certified for him at the same time. In short (wicked as you are), I still find a joy in expediting whatever you wish.

What I writ to you I certainly meant in a most friendly purpose. When I was very very young indeed my father was called in to whip me for

.; how dearly did he love me, how much did he grieve at every stroke he gave me? but my mother was peremptory, and all my vivacity could not save me. More wit I never read; but I find the N. B.