goes on Sunday se'nnight. I propose obeying Dick's summons, and doing myself the honour of waiting upon you the latter end of the week; in the meantime beg my compliments to the Duchess, and duty to His Royal Highness,

Who am, &c.

1752.

I have taken the liberty to send your Grace the enclosed short notes of the debates to-day. ** If they are of any use towards next Tuesday, by informing you on what foot the question has been put by the ministry, I shall be happy - at least, I flatter myself you will forgive a well-meant intention in your Grace's

On the subsidy to the elector of Saxony. Horatio Walpole (uncle of the above) afterwards Lord Walpole, was one of the speakers on that debate; he forwarded a copy of his speech to Mr. Pitt, who says, "your speech contains much very weighty matter, and from beginning to end, breathes the spirit of a man who loves his country." The Duke of Bedford opened the debate on the same subject in

Much obliged, &c.

HOR. WALPOLE.

the House of Lords; his Grace's
speech will be found in the Par-
liamentary debates, with Lord
Chancellor Hardwicke's notes.
The notes mentioned in the letter
are very short; at the end, Mr.
Walpole states Lord Egmont
was laid up with the gout; Pitt
was not there; Lord Cobham went
away; Brand, Aldworth, Rigby
in the minority.

1752.

MR. RIGBY TO THE DUKE OF BEDFORD.

Club at Betty's, 10 o'clock. (March 31. 1752.)

You must not expect a very long, or a very entertaining letter from this place, at this time; but to let you know that we merely exist, I am appointed by Lady Ossory* and Lady Betty, the only members present, to inform you of the very few occurrences that have passed since last post day. My Lady Tankerville † is appointed governess to Princess Augusta, with 6007. a year, much to Mr. Pitt's satisfaction I presume. The King is gone this morning to Harwich, and I imagine will stay there to-night, as the wind blows very hard easterly. We below stairs are as much concerned at another departure of the day, I believe, as any body over our heads, though we have a fair wind.

Politics have been at a stand ever since you last came out of the House of Lords; and gaming ever since Trentham went to Newmarket: so I can say nothing to you upon those two heads. White's is much forsaken; the Duchess of Norfolk to-night, and Wall last night, undid the round table, as much as that has done Dick Edgecumbe. His Royal Highness made amends last night by giving a great

*Widow of the Earl of Upper Ossory, and sister to the Duchess of Bedford, married to Richard Vernon, Esq.

Alicia, third daughter of Sir John Astley of Pateshull, in Staffordshire, Baronet.

supper to us three present, and Messrs. G. Pitt, Selwyn, Abergavenny, Mr. Bab. and Keppel. The ladies staid till half an hour past two, and then, nous autres, paid our court properly. Betty bids me say Jack Boscawen is going to be married to Mrs. Courtenay. Mr. Villiers* was married yesterday morning, and is retired for a fortnight. The Duchess of Norfolk † is to be at home three Tuesdays; and sent Lady Ossory this morning her option of them; but has pinned Lady Betty down to the 14th. Lord Gower's horse succeeded as usual yesterday; March is come to town to what they call chasse to-night at Norfolk House, and is not sure whether he returns to-morrow, any more than Dick is whether he goes or not. My prudence, and not my poverty, this time keeps me away, for I have won 5007. this week, and do not go there to throw it away. I have no more time but to add that we drink absent members.

1752.

I am, &c.

RICHARD RIGBY.

Fox's horse ran yesterday, and though it did not win, he lost no money, he not having betted against the horse that came first.

Thomas Villiers, created Earl of Clarendon, commissioner of the Admiralty, married Lady Charlotte, daughter to William Capel, third Earl of Essex.

† Mary, second daughter and co-heir of Edward Blount of Blagdon, in the county of Devon, Esq., wife of Edward, ninth Duke of Norfolk.

1752.

MR. RIGBY TO THE DUKE OF BEDFORD.

My dear Lord,

As I told you at the proper time when I should have done it, that I was not so good a speech maker as Mr. Pitt, you must accept of my thanks for the great honour you have done me in this second-rate manner. I must, however, for myself at the same time declare, that though J cannot express either my obligations or my attachment to you in so good oratorical language, I can keep my word better, and be more faithful to you in every respect. But not to read But not to read you a panegyric upon myself, instead of a letter of thanks for your favours to Mistley, I will have done with egotism, and assure you I am infinitely obliged for the favour of your visit. It convinces the world of what I am most desirous they should know; that I am extremely well in your good graces; and it convinces me of what makes me more happy (if indeed I could want conviction), that I am so also in your friendship.

And now to send you what little news I have been able to pick up yesterday; for the day we landed, Ascott Heath races had engaged the few people that remained in town, and I could find no soul to dine or sup with. In short, I have seen but three intelligent beings, Lord Waldegrave, Fox, and Harris.* The first entertained me with

*James Harris, father of the first Earl of Malmesbury; he filled "everal public offices, but is bet

ter known by his works, which were published by his son, Lor Malmesbury.

shewing me his speech to the Stannary parliament,
as Lord Warden; as good a one at least as I think
they deserve; he does not go himself, but leaves it
to his Vice Warden to deliver, though the latest
precedent of the absence of a Lord Warden at the
opening of their convention, is in James the First's
time; but I think he preserves his dignity at the same
time that he confesses his ignorance (of tin matters
I mean), as well as it is possible; you will see it
hereafter in the newspapers. He was at the above
mentioned races on Tuesday, where the Duke of
Cumberland's horse ran, and would have been
distanced if his master had not been higher bred
than himself: there was much company there and
the Duke invited Lord Waldegrave and his com-
panion Lord Anson, to Cranbourne that night, but
they did not go. Sandwich was not there.
gave me to understand things go special bad in
Germany, whatever they may do in Great Britain.
If two or three more Doers as they call them in
Scotland get knocked on the head before the meet
ing of Parliament, I think your Grace's two points
of opposition will bear to have something more
said upon them.

He

There are an hundred stories about Montagu and Taafe, and they say put about by Mons. Lamberti. And a very fine vulgar story of the King of France having taken Lady Coventry into keeping, and Lord Montford's having sent for

*

* Henry first Baron Montfort.

1752.