Part 28

This is no longer a conjecture, but a certainty, after what I read in the edition of Lord Chesterfield’s Letters, published in London by Lord Mahon in 1847 (4 vols.). See vol. iii., page 159. I was not acquainted with this edition when I wrote my article.--C. DE S. B.

This was written in June, 1850.

This first letter will form a key to Chesterfield’s character. It is partly badinage, and yet contains the elements of his lordship’s idea. He has already begun to teach “Mr. Stanhope,” and addresses as Monsieur a child of the mature age of five years. We have purposely omitted other letters, some in Latin, Phillipo Stanhope, adhuc puerulo, which contain merely historical and geographical information fit for a little schoolboy.

Lord Chesterfield was, as will be afterwards seen, particularly anxious that his son should imbibe political, geographical, and historical knowledge, hence these details to a child of five.

Young Mr. Stanhope’s tutor.

In a previous letter, which has been lost, Chesterfield has been teaching rhetoric to a boy of about seven years old, for, referring to it, he says: “En vérité je crois que vous êtes le premier garcon à qui, avant l’âge de huit ans, on ait jamais parlé des figures de la rhétorique, comme j’ai fait dans ma dernière.”

We learn by a subsequent reference that the little fellow wished not to be called Colas, but Polyglot, from knowing already three or four languages.

CAREFUL IMITATION.--Philip Chesterfield to his dear little boy Philip Stanhope, wishing health, etc. Your last letter was very grateful to me; not only was it nicely written, but in it you promise to take great care and to win, deservedly, true praise. But I must say plainly that I much suspect you of having had the help of a good and able master in composing it; and he being your guide and adviser, it will be your own fault if you do not acquire elegancy of style, learning, and all that can make you good and wise. I entreat you, therefore, carefully to imitate so good a pattern; the more you regard him the more you will love me. [About July, 1741.]

In the beginning of this letter, which contains a lesson upon Julius Cæsar, Chesterfield says: “You know so much more and learn so much better than any boy of your age, that you see I do not treat you like a boy, but write to you on subjects fit for men to consider.”

So also Home,--

“Amen! and virtue is its own reward.”

Douglas, Act. iii. Sc. 1.

And Claudian, quoted by Chesterfield,

“Ipsa quidem virtus pretium sibi, solaque latè Fortunæ secura nitet,” etc.

Written in Latin. Philippus Chesterfield, Phillippo Stanhope adhuc puerulo, sed eras e pueritiâ egressuro. S. D. Dated, Kalend, Maii, 1741.

In the compilation called “Lord Chesterfield’s Maxims,” wherein part of this letter is given, all the characteristic points are left out. Thus, where Chesterfield reminds his son that manner is of consequence in pleasing, especially the women, the purist has excised the words in italics.

His Lordship’s badinage, or it may be sarcasm, which the little boy quickly perceived.

His lordship was then Viceroy of Ireland.

Mr. Stanhope was then travelling with his tutor in Germany.

A good natured but somewhat silly book in which M. L’Abbé instructs certain young ladies and gentlemen by means of sundry conversations and reflections.

His lordship had during this year been made one of his Majesty’s Secretaries of State.

Chesterfield had inclosed in a letter from Mr. Stanhope’s mamma one from his own sister, thanking the boy for some Arquebusade water. His lordship sent a rough copy of a polite answer to this note.

Lord Chesterfield had been urging his son to send a Dresden tea-service to his mother, which he did.

A pun; the pillars from Canons in Middlesex.

It is well, in the present state of society, to reflect upon the intimacy here shown between persons in trade and those in high life.

A somewhat curious use of the phrase, but well explained by Johnson.

De Retz, from whose “Mémoires” Lord Chesterfield quoted a sentence in the commencement of the letter.

The author, as he says, often repeats himself; see ante, p. 180.