The Letters of Horace Walpole, Earl of Orford — Volume 1

Chapter 2.--73

Marriage of George the First, while Electoral Prince, to the Princess Sophia Dorothea-Assassination of Count Konigsmark-Separation from the Princess-Left-handed espousal-Piety of the Duchess of Kendal-Confinement and Death of Sophia Dorothea in the Castle of Alden-French Prophetess-The King's Superstition-Mademoiselle Schulemberg-Royal Inconsistency-Countess of platen-Anne Brett- Sudden Death of George the First

Chapter 3.--79

Quarrel between George the First and his Son-Earl of Sunderland-Lord Stanhope-South Sea Scheme-Death of Craggs-Royal Reconcilement-Peerage Bill Defeated-Project for seizing the Prince of Wales and conveying him to America-Duke of Newcastle-Royal Christening-Open rupture-Prince and Princess of Wales ordered to leave the Palace

Chapter 4.--83

Bill Of Pains and Penalties against Bishop Atterbury-Projected Assassination of Sir Robert Walpole-Revival of the Order of the Bath-Instance of George the First's good-humoured Presence of Mind

Chapter 5.--86

Accession of George the Second-Sir Spencer Compton-Expected Change in Administration-Continuation of Lord Townshend -and Sir Robert Walpole by the Intervention of Queen Caroline-Mrs. Howard, afterwards Countess of Suffolk-Her character by Swift-and by Lord Chesterfield

Chapter 6.--89

Destruction of George the First's Will.

CHAPTER 7.91 History of Mrs. Howard, afterwards Countess of Suffolk-Miss Bellenden-Marriage with Colonel John Carnl)bell, afterwards Fourth Duke of Argyle-Anecdotes of Queen Caroline-Her last Illness and Death-Anecdotes of Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough-Last Years of George the Second-Mrs. Clayton, afterwards Lady Sundon-Lady Diana Spencer-Frederick, Prince of Wales-Sudden Removal of the Prince and Princess from Hampton Court to St. James's-Birth of a Princess-Rupture with the King-Anecdotes of Lady Yarmouth

Chapter 8.--101

George the Second's Daughters-Anne, Princess of Orange-Princess Amelia-Princess Caroline-Lord Hervey-Duke of Cumberland

CHAPTER 9.--103 Anecdotes of Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough-and of Catherine, Duchess of Buckingham

EXTRACTS FROM THE LETTERS OF SARAH, DUCHESS OF MARLBOROUGH, TO THE EARL OF STAIR, ILLUSTRATIVE OF "THE REMINISCENCES." (NOW FIRST PUBlished) 111

LETTERS OF HORACE WALPOLE.

(Those Letters now first collected are marked N.)

1735

1. To Richard West, Esq. November 9.-Picture of a University life. Cambridge sophs. Juvenile quadruple alliance--121

1736.

2. To George Montagu, Esq. May 2.-Marriage of Frederick, Prince of Wales, with the Princess Augusta of Saxe Gotha--122

3. To the same, May 6.-Pleasures of youth, and youthful recollections--123

4. To the same, May 20.-Jaunt to Oxford. Wrest House. Easton Neston. Althorp--124

5. To the same, May 30.-Petronius Arbiter. Coventry's Dialogue between Philemon and Hydaspes on False Religion. Artemisia-- 126

6. To Richard West, Esq. Aug. 17.-Gray, and other schoolfellows. Eton recollections. Course of study at the University--127

1737.

7. To George Montagu, Esq. March 20.-French and English manners contrasted--128

8. To the same.-Feelings on revisiting Eton--129

1739.

9. To Richard West, Esq. April 21. Paris society. Amusements. Funeral of the Duke de Tresmes. St. Denis. Church of the Celestins. French love of show. Signs. Notions of honour--130

10. To the same.-, Description of Versailles. Conventof the Chartreux. History of St. Bruno, painted by Le Soeur. Relics-- 132

11. To the same, June 18.-Rheims. Brooke's "Gustavus Vasa"-- 134

12. To the same, July 20.-Rheims. Compiegne. Self-introduction--134

13. To the same, Sept. 28.-Mountains of Savoy. Grande Chartreuse. Aix. English visitors. Epigram--136

14. To the same, Nov. 11.-Passage of Mount Cenis. Cruel accident. Chamberri. Inscription. Pas de Suza. Turin. Italian comedy. "L'Anima Damnata." Conversazione--138

15. To the same.-Bologna. Letter-writing. Curl. Whitfield's Journal. Jingling epitaph. Academical exercises at the Franciscans' church. Dominicans' Church. Old verses in a new light--140

1740.

16. To the same, January 24.-Florence. Grand Duke's gallery. Effect of travel. English and Italian character contrasted. Story of the prince and the nut--142

17. To the same, February 27.-Florence. The Carnival. Character of the Florentines. Their prejudice about nobility. Mr. Martin. Affair of honour--143

18. To the Hon. Henry Seymour Conway, March 6.-Complaints of his not writing. Attachment to Florence--145

19. To richard West, Esq. March 22.-Description of Siena. Romish superstitions. Climate of italy. Italian customs. Radicofani. Dome of Siena. Inscription. Entrance to Rome--146

20. To the same, April 16.-Rome. Ruins of the temple of Minerva Medica. Ignorance and poverty of the present Romans. The Coliseum. Relics--148

21. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, April 23.-Society at Rome. The Moscovita. Roman Conversations. The Conclave. Lord Deskford-- 150

22. To Richard West, Esq., May 7.-The Conclave. Antiquities of Rome. State of the public a century hence--152

23. To the same, June 14.-Naples. Description of Herculaneum. Passage in Statius picturing out this latent city--153

24. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, July 5.-Reasons for leaving Rome. Malaria. Radicofani described. Relics from Jerusalem. Society at Florence. Mr. Mann. Lady pomfret. Princess Craon. Hosier's ghost. The Conclave. Lord Chancellor Hardwicke--155

25. To Richard West, Esq.-Medals and inscriptions. Taking of Porto Bello. The Conclave. Lady Mary Montagu. Life at Florence--159

26. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Sept. 25.-Character of the Florentines. Lady Mary Wortley Montagu described. Sortes Virgiliane--161

27. To Richard West, Esq. Oct. 2.-Effect of travel- A wedding at Florence. Addison's Italy. Dr. Cocchi. Bondelmonti. A song. Bronzes and medals. Tartini. Lady Walpole. Platonic love--163

28. To the same, Nov.-Disastrous flood at Florence--166

1741.

29. To the Rev. Joseph Spence, Feb. 21.-Hopes to renew in England an acquaintance begun in Italy. Owns him his master in the antique--[N.) 168

30. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, March 25.-Rejoices at George Selwyn's recovery And at the result of Mr. Sandvs' motion for the removal of Sir Robert Walpole. Middleton's Life of Cicero- -169

31. To Richard West, Esq., May 10.-His opinion of the first act of West's tragedy of Pausanias. Description of Rome during fair-time--170

32. To Sir Horace Mann, Sept.-Calais on his return to England. Amorevoli. The Viscontina. Passage to Dover. Comfort and snugness of English in country towns. The distinction of "meddling people" nowhere but in England. Story of Mr. Pope and the Prince of Wales--172

33. To the same, Oct.-Corsica. Bianca Colonna. Baron Stosch, and his Maltese cats--174

34. To the Hon. H. S. Conway.-On his return to England. Changes produced by travel--175

35. To Sir Horace Mann, Oct. 8.-Illness of Sir Robert Walpole. The Opera. Sir Benjamin Keene. Dominichino's Madonna and Child. Lady Dorothy Boyle. State of parties--176

36. To the same, Oct. 13--178

37. To the same, Oct. 19.-Unfavourable state of his father's health--178

38. To the same, Oct. 22.-Duel between Winnington and Augustus Townshend. Long Sir Thomas Robinson. Mrs. Woffington. "Les Cours de l'Europe"--179

39. To the same, Nov. 2.-Sir Thomas Robinson's ball. The Euston embroil. The Neutrality. "The Balancing Captain," a new song--182

40. To the same, Nov. 5.-Opera House management--186

41. To the same, Nov. 12.-Admiral Vernon. The Opera. The Viscontina--187

42. To the same, Nov. 23.-Spanish design on Lombardy. Sir Edward Walpole's courtship. Lady Pomfret. "Going to Court." Lord Lincoln. Paul Whitehead. "Manners"--189

43. To the same, Nov. 26.-His mother's tomb. Intaglio of the Gladiator--191

44. To the same, Dec. 3.-Admiral Haddock. Meeting of Parliament. State of parties. Colley Cibber--192

45. To the same, Dec. 10.-Debate on the King's speech. Westminster petition. Triumph of Opposition. "Bright Bootle"-- 194

46. To the same, Dec. 16.-Chairman of election committees. Ministry in a minority--197

47. To the same, Dec. 17.-Warm debates in Westminster election committee. Odd suicide--199

48. To the same, Dec. 24.-Anecdote of Sandys. Ministerial victory. Debates on the Westminster election. Story of the Duchess of Buckingham. Mr. Nugent. Lord Gage. Revolution in Russia--201

49. To the same, Dec. 29.-The Dominichino. Passage of the Giogo. Bubb Doddington. Follies of the Opposition--206

1742.

50. To Sir Horace Mann, Jan. 7.-Reasons why he is not in fashion. His father's want of partiality for him. Character of General Churchill. Vote-trafficking during the holidays. Music party. The three beauty-Fitzroys. Lord Hervey. Hammond, the poet. Death of Lady Sundon. Anecdotes--207

51. To the same, Jan. 22.-House of Commons. Merchants' petition. Leonidas Glover. Place Bill. Projected changes. King's message to the Prince. Pulteney's motion for a secret committee on Sir Robert Walpole's conduct. New opera--212

52. To the same Feb. 4.-Sir Robert's morning levees. His resignation. Created Earl of Orford--218

53. To the same; Feb. 9.@Political changes. Opposition meeting at the Fountain. Cry against Sir Robert. Instructions to members. Lord Wilmington first lord of the Treasury.New ministry. Crebillon's "Sofa"--220

54. To the same, Feb. 18.-Rumoured impeachments. Popular feeling. "The Unhappy Favourite." "broad Bottom" ministry. the Prince of Wales at the King's levee. sir Robert takes his seat in the HOuse of Lords. Grand masquerade--224

55. To the same, Feb. 25.-House of Commons. Shippen. Murray. Story of Sir R. Godschall. Impeachments. Changes. "England in 1741," by Sir C. H. Williams--227

56. To the same, march 3.-Merchants' petition. leonidas Glover. New Story of the Lord mayor. speech of Doddington. Heydon election. "The broad Bottom." Duchess of Marlborough's Memoirs. Lord Oxford's sale. New opera. Sir robert at richmond--229

57. to the same, March 10.-The coalition. Motion for a committee of inquiry into the last twenty years thrown out. Duke of Argyle resigns. Old Sarah's Memoirs--234

58. To the same, march 22.-Queen of Hungary's successes. Lord Oxford's sale--237

59. to the same, March 24.-Secret Committee to inquire into the conduct of the Earl of Orford appointed. Horace WAlpole's speech on the occasion--238

60. To the same, april 1.-Secret Committee balloted for. court and Opposition lists. Bill for repealing the Septennial Act rejected--241

61. To the same, april 8.-lady Walpole's extravagant schemes. Subsidy for the Queen of Hungary. Lord Orford's crowded levees. Rage of the mob against him. Place Bill rejected by the Lords--243

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