LETTER CCXCVIII.

Arlington Street, Feb. 11, 1779. I AM only getting ready this letter for to-morrow, when it is to set out with the full triumph of Admiral Keppel, which is expected in town to-night from Portsmouth. The fronts of several houses are already decorated with lamps, and, as soon as the courier arrives, I suppose the whole town will be in a blaze-I hope, only of light; but, when a mob expresses its joy, one may always fear lest it should mistake mischief for merriment. The guards are ordered to be doubled: I fancy, a few of them will not be far from the Admiralty.*

The good people of Edinburgh have set but an ugly example. There has been a serious insurrection against the Papists, and two mass-houses were burnt; and the Provost quieted the tumult only by promising that the toleration of Popery should not be extended to Scotland. This will be agreeable news to the Americans, who did not expect to see the Administration reproved by Scots.

You will not be agitated by popular rumours. If I repeat them to you, it is, that if any thing should happen, you may not be surprised. In a word, some changes at least are expected, particularly in the Admiralty, the rudder of which, it is said, has been offered to Lord Howe, some say, and refused by him; others, that he objected to Lord George Germain; and others, that he demands an inquiry on himself and his brother. Lord Suffolk is certainly to retire on the plea of infirmity, which is a reason why he should not come into place; and Lord Buckingham is to quit Ireland, and, I believe, is allowed to say, at his own request too-he also might have had an earlier plea:-in short, difficulties at present are more plentiful than recources. Per contra, Spain is said to have offered us her mediation, and to have it accepted. Yesterday I heard that the Duke of Medina Sidonia had actually set out for Paris on that errand, but was dead on the road. The want of a successor will not be an impediment, if there is no other.

This minute I receive your tender letter of the 16th of last month: but pray, my dear sir, be easy about me; I am as much recovered as probably I shall be. I go out, and walk tolerably with a cane. To be sure, another severe fit may confine me at home; but, as I do not indulge distant hopes, why should I disturb myself with future fears? I have patience and submission, and they are at least as potent as care. Of every thing I make the best I can. Immediate vexations one cannot easily divert; but gloomy thoughts that are resident, and return only when the mind is vacant, I remove by any amusement that offers. This is my case about my nephew and Houghton. I forget them as fast as possible, though I own they frequently return. It is very true, I did desire the pictures should be sold, as I preferred

* Lord Sandwich, Keppel's enemy, was First Lord of the Admiralty.

his paying his grandfather's and father's debts to false splendour; but that is not the case now. As he is not legally obliged, he doos not think of acquitting his father's debts; and, as he has compounded his grandfather's unsatisfied debts for fifteen thousand pounds, he does not want forty thousand. In short, I am persuaded that the villainous crew about him, knowing they could not make away clandestinely with the collection in case of his death, prefer money they can easily appropriate to themselves. Whether the price affixed is adequate, or too low, is difficult to say. Imaginary value depends on circumstances and times. I once should have thought forty thousand pounds a high price: the whole collection made by my father, of which there have already been three sales, cost but that sum. Five years ago, with the opulence and rage for virtù, they would have produced more. At present, not so much. Last night I heard the bargain is not concluded. Cipriani was desired to value them, and has called in West. To be sure, I should wish they were rather sold to the Crown of England than to that of Russia, where they will be burnt in a wooden palace on the first insurrection: here they would be still Sir Robert Walpole's collection. But my grief is that they are not to remain at Houghton, where he placed them, and wished them to remain. Pride and pity leave me but that desire.

At midnight.

I am this moment come in, and may as well write to you as to go to bed; for it is impossible to sleep, from the noise of squibs and crackers. The sentence arrived at half-an-hour after nine, and in two hours the whole town was illuminated.* I drove with two la

*No sooner was it known that Admiral Keppel was fully and honourably acquit ted, than a general illumination took place: Sir Joshua Reynolds, in a letter to the Admiral, says " They were universal, I believe, without the exception of a single house. Poor Sir Hugh's house in Pall Mall was entirely gutted, and its contents burnt in St. James's Square, in spite of a large party of horse and foot, who came to protect it. Lord North and Lord Bute had their windows broke. The Admiralty gates were unhinged. To-night, I hear, Sir Hugh is to be burnt in effigy before your door. I have taken the liberty to lend your picture to an engraver to make a large print from it." From the following passage in Mr. Burke's "Letter to a Noble Lord," it will be seen, that this picture had been presented to him by the Admiral at Portsmouth: "It was but the other day, that, in putting in order some things, I looked over a number of fine portraits, most of them of persons now dead, but whose society, in my better days, made this a proud and happy place. Amongst them was the picture of Lord Keppel. It was painted by an artist worthy of the subject, the excellent friend of that excellent man from their earliest youth, and a common friend of us both, with whom we lived for many years without a moment of coldness, of peevishness, of jealousy, or of jar, to the day of our final separation. I ever looked upon Lord Keppel as one of the greatest and best men of his age; and I loved and cultivated him accordingly. He was much in my heart, and I believe I was in his to the very last beat. It was at his trial at Portsmouth that he gave me this picture. With what zeal and anxious affection I attended him through his agony of glory; what part my son took in the early flush and enthusiasm of his virtue, and the pious passion with which he attached himself to all my connexions; with what prodigality we both squandered ourselves in courting almost every sort of enmity for his sake; I believe he felt, just as I should have felt, such friendship

dies from Grosvenor Square to Spring Garden, to wish old Lady Albemarle joy. She had just been blooded, for she is seventy-five, but you may imagine was in happy spirits; for the Sentence is as honourable as possible, and terms the accusation unfounded and malicious in every article. Palliser escaped from Portsmouth this morning at five, and arrived in a hired post-chaise at the Admiralty; but was known as he entered, and was pulled by the populace by the coat, but got in safe. We passed twice by his house in Pall Mall just now, and found a mob before it, but a strong guard of soldiers and constables. The people have not been riotous yet: but as they are flinging squibs, and the streets are full, there will be accidents, if no determined mischief. I hope to-morrow morning to hear that the night has passed quietly, which will be to the honour of the Opposition. The Opposition in my father's time were not of so harmless a complexion; but as he was guiltless, which is known and allowed now, malevolence could only keep up a spirit against him by clamour. But, good night! I will reserve the rest of my paper for to-mor

row.

Friday morn, 12th.

My servants who have been out this morning, tell me that about three o'clock the mob forced their way into Palliser's house, in spite of the guards, and demolished every thing in it; and that they broke the windows of Lord George Germain and of Lord North, and that

on such occasion."—It may not be improper to add, that the counsel employed by Admiral Keppel were, Mr. Dunning, Mr. Lee-and the Hon. Thomas Erskine; who finding neither the naval nor military service congenial to his taste, had, only in the Trinity term of the preceding year, been called to the bar. As a mark of the high sense he entertained of the zeal and indefatigable industry shown by Mr. Erskine upon this occasion, the Admiral enclosed him two bank-notes of five hundred pounds each. The future Lord Chancellor of England called in Audley Square, to acknowledge the receipt of them; but, not finding Admiral Keppel at home, he wrote a note in the porter's hall, which it would be an act of injustice to his memory not to subjoin :-" You must, no doubt, my dear Sir, have been very much surprised at receiving no answer to your most generous letter; but I trust you are well enough acquainted with my temper and feelings to find out the reason, and to pardon me. I was, indeed, altogether unable to answer it. I could not submit to do injustice to my gratitude and affection, and was therefore obliged to be silent till I could wait upon you in person; and, having missed you, must be silent still. I shall, therefore, only say, that the generous present you have sent me is out of all kind of bounds and measure, even if the occasion had afforded an opportunity of rendering them; how much the more when your own ability and the absurdity of the occasion wholly disappointed my zeal? At all events, the honour of attending Admiral Keppel would have been in itself a most ample reward; an honour which, whatever my future fortunes may be, I shall ever consider as the brightest and happiest in my life, and which my childrens' children will hereafter claim as an inheritance. I do most sincerely pray God that every blessing may attend you, and that you may be spared for the protection of a country which has proved itself worthy of protection. My heart must ever be with you." Lord Keppel's Life, vol. ii. p. 218.-ED.

* Lady Anne Lennox, youngest daughter of Charles Lennox first Duke of Richmond, widow of William-Anne second Earl of Albemarle, mother of George third Earl, and of Admiral Augustus Keppel.

several of the rioters are taken up. How wise in an unsuccessful Administration to have commenced accusation!

You talk of skating on the Arno-it is hot enough here to bathe in the Thames. I was literally forced to throw off the quilt of my bed the night before last-the women are afraid of an earthquake. I will write again soon, for I think there will be matter.

P.S. The mob entirely gutted Sir Hugh Palliser's house but the furniture had been removed.

LETTER CCXCIX.

Arlington Street, Feb. 18, 1779.

I PROMISED you a sequel to my history of illuminations, and here it is. They were repeated on Friday night, the 12th; and were more universal than on the preceding evening, but without the least disorder or riot.* The day before yesterday the Admiral himself arrived, as privately as he could; but at night all Westminster was again lighted up and part of the City, and guns and crackers were fired till morning, and yet no mischief done. The two houses have voted compliments to him, and the City its freedom. Palliser has resigned his seat at the Admiralty, and vacated that in Parliament for fear of being expelled. He has demanded a trial; but the Admiralty is accused of being less eager to order it than they were that of Keppel. The latter had not been at Court yesterday, nor in the House; but there have been motions in both Houses leading to the attack on Lord Sandwich. It is not known whether he will be removed or not. The town believes there have been negotiations with the Opposition, but that the terms offered were not satisfactory. I assert so little, that I shall certainly draw you into no rash credulity. Were you here, you might believe twenty false reports every hour. It is not always the case of persons at a distance to be the best informed; but you have a very cautious historian.

I shall reserve the rest of my paper till to-morrow; for, though I send you nothing but facts, every day may produce some event at preThe times have a bag of eggs like a pullet.

19th.

The Admiral was at the House yesterday, when the Speaker harangued him in a fine oration, they say; to which he made a very

* Many gentlemen of rank took part in these rejoicings. Mr. Pitt is said to have assisted in breaking windows, and the young Duke of Ancaster was actually taken amongst the rioters, and passed the night in the watch-house.-ED.

In the Lords, the vote of thanks was moved by the Marquis of Rockingham, and seconded by the Duke of Bolton; in the Commons by Colonel Barré, who was seconded by Sir George Savile.-ED.

† Admiral Mann was appointed to fill the vacant situation.-ED.

modest and pathetic answer. To-morrow he is to be congratulated and banqueted by the City, on which, I hear, we are again to be illuminated; but I am tired of crackers, and shall go quietly to Strawberry. There was to be a motion in the Commons to-day for addressing the King to remove Palliser from his other posts of General of the Marines and Governor of Scarborough ;† but I shall know the result before the post is gone out, and must refer you to the newspapers.

Our

The French will not like the éclaircissement of the Court-martial, by which it is clear they were beaten and fled. The City, which does not haggle, has expressed this a little grossly in their address to Keppel.‡ I do not love exultation. There is no grace but in silent victory. insults to the Americans at the outset of the war were not in the character of this country; and double the shame on those who have certainly not been victorious over them! The authors of the war have made a woful figure from the beginning to this day!

LETTER CCC.

Feb. 25, 1779.

YOUR veritable nephew brought me, yesterday, your letter of the 6th, which came by the courier, and he has just sent me a message that your servant is to set out on his return at three o'clock. It is now noon, and I am expecting a person on business, so that I shall have but a minute to write.

My last letters have hinted at the disgraces Lord Sandwich's artifices have brought on the Court by the absurd persecution of Admiral Keppel. It was very nearly overturning the Administration; and the Chancellor, Lord Weymouth, and the Paymaster,§ (a little faction of themselves,) would have tumbled the rest down, could they have offered enough to content the Opposition. I think the present system will hold together something longer, though their credit is much shaken. The Opposition is not very able, the session is far advanced, and a little success has arrived to prop them. St. Lucia is taken, secures St. Vincent's, and, if Byron joins that expedition unhurt by D'Estaing, the West Indies will be saved. These are "Ifs;" but yet more than the Ministers have had for some time. The other expedition to Georgia has prospered too, but is too small, and with the winter

After making it, the Admiral was so overcome by that extreme sensibility that characterized him, that he immediately retired from the House.-Ed.

† A motion was made on the following day, by Mr. Fox, for the dismissal of Sir Hugh Palliser from all his military employments; but on his being informed, by Lord North, that Sir Hugh had resigned the above situations, and was to be tried by a court-martial, Mr. Fox consented to withdraw it.-ED.

The Address stated, "that the spirit and intrepidity of our officers and seamen had conveyed terror to our enemies, and obliged them to seek shelter in their own ports by an ignominious flight."-ED.

Mr. Rigby.