1776.
13 An anonymous bas-relief in
marble, inscribed * Dia Helionora,'
of Eleanora of Aragon (1450-1493),
elder daughter of Ferdinand I of
Naples and of Isabelle de Clermont,
and wife (1473) of Duke Ercole I of
Ferrara. She is highly eulogised by
Castiglione in the third book of the
Cortegiano (' La Duohessa Eleonora
d'Aragona, Duchessa di Ferrara. . .
fu tale, die le eccellentissime sue
virtii faceano buon testimonio a
tutto '1 mondo che essa non sola-
mentc era digna figliuola di Ke, ma
che meritava esser Regina di molto
maggior state che non aveano pos-
seduto tutti i suoi antecessori '). This
bas-relief was placed by Walpole
(who identified the lady with
Eleanora d'Este, sister of Alfonso II,
Duke of Ferrara, the object of Tasso's
unhappy passion) in the ' small
cloister ' at the entrance to Straw-
berry Hill (see ' Description,' loc. cit.,
p. 400, note). It was lately in the
collection of M. Gustave Dreyfus at
Paris (see Tlie Book of the Courtier,
translated by L. E. Opdycke. New
York, 1901 ; pp. 204, 399, and 402-3,
where the bas-relief is figured). In
his letter to Walpole of Sept. 15, 1771
(see Letter 136, below), Hamilton
calls the lady ' Diana d'Este.'
1* See note 3 on letter to Hamilton
of Sept. 22, 1768 (No. 1232*).
1777] To 25
here one must have plundered Bengal to afford their prices ;
and I plunder nobody but myself.
As you pass thro Paris, look at the new front of St.
Genevieve, at the Ecole de Chirurgie " (which by the by you
cannot stand far enough from to see) and at some of the new
hotels. Dont look at any of the finest pictures, for they
have all been so varnished, that you can see nothing but
yourself in them. Some of those at the Palais Eoyal ^* and
those of the Prince of Monaco ", have been transported to
new canvasses, inch by inch, and the junctures filled up,
and the whole repainted "- They had begun on the glorious
Chartreuse ", but Mons' d'Anchevilliers â„¢, Intendant des
Batiments, had the sense to stop them, will transplant the
originals to Versailles, and give copies to the Convent. He
must make haste, or they will perish, or he be displaced ;
and taste is not hereditary in places more than in families.
Adieu ! dear Sir,
yrs most cordially,
HoR. Walpole.
1753*. To .
My dear Lord, March 4, 1777.
I have not had time till this minute to thank your Lord-
ship for the honour ofyour letter and for the communication
15 Walpole himself visited these with Mariette, visited the pictures
bmldings on Sept. 12, 1775, as he at the Palais Eoyal on July 24, 1771,
records under that date in his Paris and those at the Hotel de Monaco on
Journal. He mentions other note- Aug. 2 of the same year, as he records
worthy buildings in his letter to in his Paru Journal.
Lady Ossory of Sept. 9, 1775. 1' In the cloister of which were
ifi The residence of the Due Le Sueur's paintings of incidents
d'Orl^ans. from the life of St. Bruno — see letters
" Honors CamiUe Lienor Gri- to West, of May, 1739 ; to Chute, of
maldi, Prince de Monaco. A letter Aug. 5, 1771 ; and to Lady Ossory,
from him to Walpole is printed in of Sept. 9, 1775.
the present volume (see Letter 132, â„¢ Charles Claude de Flahautdela
below). . Billarderie, Oomte d'Augivilliers (d.
'* See letters to Lord Strafford, of 1810) ; he was Direoteur des bati-
Aug. 25, 1771 j and to Conway, of ments et jardius du Eoi.
Oct. 29, 1774. Walpole, in company Letter 1753*. — Not in C. ; now
26 To [1777
of the other paper, which Mr. Astle showed me some time
.ago'. It certainly shows very clearly how much more
deliberate proceedings were even in that barbarous age than
was supposed : and it contains many other confutations of
the popular story, that are too long for a letter. I have a
quantity of other answers to Dr. Milles's' and the rest of the
childish or rather old womanish replies to my book ; but
I have no thoughts of publishing them yet ', nor care how
much longer anybody chuses to believe a silly story. They
like that tale, because it is old, and believe in Chatterton's
poems, because they are told they are old, tho they are ten
thousand times more curious for not being so. I am with
great regard
My dear Lord
your Lordship's
most obedient
humble servant
Hob. Walpole.
1799*. To THE Duchess of Gloucester i.
strawberry Hill, Sept. 27, 1777.
I need not say, Madam, how much satisfaction your every
letter now occasions. We have tasted of the contrary too
first printed from copy of the original Hill in 1770 ; it was included, with
in the Fitzwilliam Museum at Cam- other matter, in the (unfinished)
bridge, kindly supplied by Mr. S. C. Strawberry Hill edition of Walpole's
Cockerell, Director of the Museum. TForfcs ; and was eventually reprinted
The addressee has not been identi- in Vol. ii (pp. 221*-*244) of the
fied. Works of Lord Orford (1798).
1 Probably the Act of Attainder of Lkttkr 1799*. — Not in 0. ; now
George Duke of Clarence (see letters first printed from original in Waller
to Astle, of Dec. 19, 1775; to Mason, Collection. Walpole has noted on the
of Dec. 21 ; and to Cole, of Jan. 26, letter : ' To the D.ss of Gloucester.
1776). N.B. She was set out before it cd
^ See note 2 on letter to Cole of go away ' (i. e. set out from Trent,
Dec. 20, 1770. where the Duke of Gloucester had
3 Six copies of Walpole's Reply to been lying between life and death
Dr.Milles were printed at Strawberry for many weeks ; he and the Duchess
1777] To the Duchess of Gloucester 27
much lately not to enjoy every step of his R. H.'s amend-
ment. Tho his physicians "^ have so little of the profession in
them, I am sure they would not think of diverting them-
selves, if they were not sure he was past all danger. As you
was not set out, and give so good an account of yourself,
Madam, I am far from thinking the journey will hurt you
after an interval of repose, and with your mind at peace.
I hope the change of air will even restore your looks'.
You made me tremble for half a paragraph for the little
Prince *-
You may be perfectly easy about Lady Laura " : she has
perfectly recovered her spirits and colour, tho I own her
grief had taken soul possession of her, that when Mr. Stiel
brought us the first better account ", the joy seemed, as I
told her, to make no impression on her alone. The truth is,
her sensibility is so great, that with her adoration of you and
a turn naturally serious, she cannot easily pass from one
extreme to the other. As I have nothing new to tell you.
Madam, you must allow me to talk a little about your daugh-
ters. I have so devoted myself to being of some small use
to my family and friends, that I may be permitted to indulge
myself to those that are interested in any part. I have
returned to England on Oct. 22 — see his father as Duke of Gloucester in
letter of Sir Edward Walpole of Oct. 1805.
23 (Letter 161, below) and Walpole's ^ Her eldest daughter, Lady Eliza-
letter to Mason of Oct. 2i. beth Laura Waldegrave (1760-1816),
^ Horace Walpole's niece, Maria, who married (1782) her cousin,
second (natural) daughter of Sir George Waldegrave, Viscount Chew-
Edward Walpole ; she married 1. ton, eldest son of third Earl Walde-
(1759) James, second Earl Walde- grave, whom he succeeded in 1784.
grave (d. 1763); 2. (1766) William She and her sisters were at this time
Henry, Duke of Gloucester, brother at Hampton Court, and partly under
of George III. Walpole's care (see letters to Mann,
2 Dr., afterwards Sir Richard, of July 17 ; and to Cole, of Aug. 31).
Jebb, and the surgeon, Dr. Robert ° On Sept. 10 — see letter to Lady
Adair (see letter to Maun of July 17, Ossory of that date (in which the
1777). name of the Duke's servant is mis-
' See letter to Mann of Sept. 18. printed ' Kiel ') ; and letter of Sir
' Prince William Frederick, born Edward Walpole of same date
at Rome, Jan. 15, 1776 ; he succeeded (Letter 154, below).
28 To the Duchess of Gloucester [1777
studied my nieces ' as much as possible in the time, and will
answer they are all you can wish. They have a veneration
and love for you beyond example, and tho they all three are
very different, there is the most perfect harmony amongst
them.
You know Lady Laura best. Madam, and I need not repeat
that she has sense, sensibility and tenderness, with a proper
pride that will never suffer her to disgrace herself.
Lady Maria * has the most uncommon understanding I ever
saw at near her age. If one did not know her youth and
how very little she has seen of the world, one should take it
for strong judgment formed by long experience. She makes
me start eveiy day by the quickness of her conception, which
is delivered with a truth and precision that are astonishing ;
and sometimes with dry humour that makes one laugh for
half an hour. She has little of our warmth of temper ; on
the contrary a composure, firmness and penetration into
people and things, like her father. In short, I scarce think
her understanding even now inferior to his. With this she
has a natural unaffected ease, and a tranquillity about the
superior beauty of her sisters, that are charming. Her face
is very agreeable, and her person very fine.
Lady Horatia " is all life and spirits and cheerfullness, with
unbounded good nature, and a great deal of humour. Her
vivacity and sweet temper make her the prettiest girl in the
world, which she is, tho her height makes her look a fine
woman. In one thing they are all still more surprizing,
which is their perfect chearful acquiescence to every thing
that is proposed to or for them. You are not likely. Madam,
' Actually, great-nieces. » Lady Anne Horatia Waldegrave
fi Lady Charlotte Maria Walde- (1762-1801), the third daughter,
grave (1761-1808), the second married (1786) Captain Hon. Hugh
daughter, married (1784) George Conway, later known as Admiral
HenryMtzroy, Earl of Euston, eldest Lord Hugh Seymour, fifth son of
son of third Duke of Grafton, whom iirst Earl (n.n.), afterwards (1793)
he succeeded in 1804. first Marquis (n.o.), of Hertford,
1777] To the Duchess of Gloucester 29
to make them unhappy, but I think there is no trial you
could put them to, to which they would not submit.
I must not forget Miss Keppel '°, who is still different, and
whom I know a great deal less. She has been here two days
with the Bishop and Mrs. Keppel, and is not free before
them. She is gloriously handsome", but I fear will soon
be very large. She seems all modesty and gentleness and
sweetness, but having been much more restrained, is far more
timid than your daughters. I am much more impatient, and
with good reason, to have her married than them.
The Bishop, so far from being changed so as not to be
known, as I was told, is not at all more altered than being
leaner necessarily occasions. He thinks he has lost his
yellowness, tho some still remains. He looks upon the
whole older than he is and much broken, and is not in
spirits ; yet he sleeps perfectly well, rides and walks without
being fatigued, and has rather too much than too little appe-
tite. I think him in no danger, but if I can guess, the un-
provided situation of his family is at his heart. Mrs. Keppel
looks extremely well and healthy, and thinks the Bishop
quite recovered "- Pray dont mention anything I say
about them, which are only my own fears, and you know
I am apt to take alarm easily about those I love.
It is an easy transition, Madam, from your relations to
your friends. You have heard the shocking exit of Lord
Harcourt ^', which must affect one. I cannot say I should
i» Anna Maria Keppel (1760-1836), " See letter to Lady Ossory of
eldest daughter of Hon. Frederick Sept. 29, 1777.
Keppel, Bishop of Exeter (youngest '^ He died on Dec. 27 following
son of second Earl of Albemarle), and (see letter to Lady Ossory of that
of Laura Walpole, eldest (natural) date).
daughter of Sir Edward Walpole, " Simon Harcourt (c. 1712-1777),
and sister of the Duchess of Glou- first Earl Harcourt (1749) ; he was
cester ; she married (1790) Hon. found on Sept. 16 head-downward in
William Stapleton, second son of Sir a well in Nuneham Park, with his
Thomas Stapleton, fifth Baronet, and dog standing on his body ; it was
brother of sixteenth Baron Des- supposed that the dog fell into the
penser. well and that he overbalanced him-
30 To the Duchess of Gloucester [l777
otherwise have felt for him. He was not fond of so good a
son ". He has left twenty -five thousand pounds to Colonel
Harcourt" besides five that were settled. Still Lord Nune-
ham will be very rich, especially as he has never known
what it was to be so, and he loves his brother and is too good
to grudge him anything. I have sent the present Earl
frequent accounts of the Duke, for no man living is more
devoted to you.
It is an ancient maiden Mrs. Bathurst that is dead and
not she that was the lovely Miss Evelyn ". The Duke of
Norfolk " is dead at last at ninety four ^l He has left eveiy
thing with the title but about 3000L a year to Harry
Howard ", who is next to the new Duke "" and his son ", and
about 2000Z. a year to his great nephew Mr. Stourton ".
To Lady Smith ^' a dirty legacy of fourscore pounds a j'ear.
Since I began to write, I hear Lord Harcourt has left as
much to Lady Betty Lee" as to Col. Harcourt, but had
self in trying to rescue it (see letters Feb. 13, 1767).
to Mann, and to Mason, of Sept. 18, 21 Charles Howard (1716-1815),
1777). Earl of Surrey (1777-1786) ; suc-
'* George Simon Harcourt (1736- oeeded his father as tenth Duke in
1809), Viscount Nuneham (1749), 1786.
second Earl Harcourt (1777). 22 jjon. Charles Philip Stourton
>5 Colonel Hon. William Harcourt (1752-1816), only son of William
(1743-1830), second sou of first Earl Stourton, fifteenth Baron Stourton,
Harcourt ; succeeded his brother as and of Winifred Howard, niece of
third Earl in 1809 (see letter to eighth Duke of Norfolk; he succeeded
Mason of Oct. 6, 1777). his father as sixteenth Baron Stonr-
i'5 Miss Elizabeth Evelyn, after- ton in 1781.
wards the wife of Peter Bathurst, 2^ Hon. Mary Clifford (1731-1797),
nephew of first Earl Bathurst ; her youngest daughter of Hugh, third
charms are celebrated by Walpole in Baron Clifford of Chudleigh, married
the closing lines of his poem The (1766) as his second wife, Sir Edward
Beauties, written in 1746. Smythe, fourth Baronet, of Acton
1' Edward Howard (1686-1777), Burnell, Shropshire ; she was the
eighth Duke of Norfolk (1732) ; he Duke's niece by marriage, her
died on Sept. 20. mother, Elizabeth, daughter of
'* Actually in his 92nd year. Edward Blount, of Blagdon, Devon,
" Henry Howard (d. 1842), of having been the sister of the
Corby Castle, Cumberland. Duchess ; she had lived with the
«<> Charles Howard (1720-1786), Duke for twenty years (see letter to
cousin of the late Duke, and son of Lady Ossory of Sept. 29, 1777).
HenryCharles Howard, of Greystock, 24 Lady Elizabeth Harcourt (1739-
Cumberland (see letter to Mann of 1811), sister of Colonel Harcourt,
I
1778] To Charles Rogers 81
bought an estate which he designed too for the latter, but
had not executed it, of which I am extremely glad.
The suspense about America gives great anxiety and impa-
tience, and no wonder. There is not a word of any other
sort of news.
Lady Maria and Lady Horatia go to Windsor '"' tomorrow,
and Lady Laura comes to me. I must not certainly repine
at the cause, but I shall be very sorry when I am to lose
them, tho it is so much better for them, than to pass most of
their time with an old Uncle. I have the honour to be
Madam, 3' our K. H.'s
most faithful humble servant,
Hoe. Walpole.
1832*. To Charles Rogers \
Arlington Street, Jan. 27, 1778.
Mr. Walpole was surprized and confounded, when he
came home last night, at finding Mr. Kogers's magnificent
present'', which he is ashamed to accept from its value,
but afraid to refuse, lest Mr. Rogers should think it dis-
married (1763) Sir William Lee, place in the Custom House, where
fourth Baronet, of Hartwell, Bucks. for nearly 40 years he held the post
'i's To the Keppels, the Bishop of of Clerk of the Certificates. In 1778
Exeter being also Dean of Windsor. he published, in two folio volumes,
Lettee 1832*. — Not in C; re- A Collecti(m o/ Prints in Imitation of
printed from A descriptive catalogue Drawings . . . to which are annexed the
of some pictures, books, and prints^ Lives of their Authors, with Explana-
medals, bronzes, and other curiosities, tory and Critical Notes. In 1 782 he
collected by Charles Rogers Esq. and issued anonymously a blank verse
now inthe possession of William Cotton, translation of Dante's Inferno, the
of the Priory, Leatherhead, Surrey first complete (printed) English
(Lond. 1836), p. x. The original translation. This work was dedi-
ietter (which is addressed, ' To cated to Sir Edward Walpole, elder
Charles Rogers, Esq., in Lawrence brother of Horace Walpole, who
Pountney Lane, London ') is pre- jointly held the Collectorship of the
served in the Cottonian Museum at Customs, Rogers being at that time
Plymouth. Principal Officer of the Customs.
> Charles Rogers (1711-1784), art " No doubt a copy of the Collection
collector. He was elected E.S.A. in of Prints, which was published in
1752, and F.R.S. in 1757. He had a this year (see note 1).
32 To Charles Rogers [i778
respect to so very fine and beautiful a work, or want of
proper esteem (which he is still less capable of) for the gener-
ous, friendly, and excellent Editor. Mr. Walpole would have
waited on Mr. Eogers to thank him in person, but came
home last night with a great cold. But shall be very happy
to know when to find Mr. Eogers at home, or to see him in
Arlington Street any morning, but Saturdays, Sundays, and
Mondays, between eleven and one : as he is very impatient
to express his gratitude for the gift, and his admiration of
the work, which he shall study with infinite pleasure.
1837*. To Edward Jerningham^
Dear Sir, Arlington Street, Feb. 13, 1778.
If I was speaker of both Houses and of all Houses, I
would return you the thanks of the public for the new
volume of your poems ^ To thank you for your present to
myself, is too cold, and too selfish. Gratitude is a return to
a mark of friendship ; but a private individual can no more
pay the debts of the public, than the public can pay — any of
its own. Nay, I cannot, like the nation, pay you interest
by a poetic annuity ; so I must call your gift by that long-
obsolete, but now revived term, a Benevolence. Yours, I
hope, will grow an established duty ; as if you presented a
Letter 1837*. — Not in C. ; first in the ' uncial letters ' referred to by
printed in Edward Jemingham and "Walpole in his letter to Miss Berry
AtsJ'rje«(j8,editedbyL. Bettany, now of Aug. 19, 1795) in the present
reprinted from original in possession volume (see Letter 119, below). Miss
of Sir Henry S. Jerningham, Bt. Burney, who met him at Mrs.
1 The letter, which has not been Bowdler's in 1780, says of him in
through the post, is addressed . ' To her Diary : ' We met Mr. Jerning-
Edward Jerningham Esqr, in Con- ham, the poet. I have lately been
duit Street.' Edward Jerningham reading his poems, if his they may
(1727-1812), poet and dramatist, be called. He seems a mighty deli-
third son of Sir George Jerningham. oate gentleman ; looks to be painted,
fifth Baronet, of Costessey (or Cossey), and is all daintification in manner,
Norfolk. A poetical epistle of his speech, and dress.'
on Walpole's Richard III, written in' ^ F„gitim Poetical Pieces, pulilished
Feb. 1768, is printed from the original in this year,
(formerly in the Waller Collection,
1778] To Edward Jerningham 38
brace of carp to a judge on the circuit, all the twelve judges
would claim them for ever, as often as they go their rounds
of justice near your fish pond.
I have not time to tell you all I like in your small volume ;
but must mention one passage that struck me particularly,
as touches of nature and tenderness always do. Margaret's '
answer to the robber, when he says
' if thou hast ought concealed
"Within this wood, give me the hoarded treasure.'
and she replies —
' Ah ! here is all my Treasure ' (pointing to her child) *.
This is sweetly pathetic, and preferable to all the poetry of
Pindar, that soars out of sight, and beyond comprehension.
I love poets that speak to the heart's ears — for those that
grow on the head, and whose veins only go to the brain,
and not to the palpitation of the heart, I do not value them
of a rush. I own that when the brain on revision confirms
the heart's tears, the bard has double merit — treble, if the
brain discovers more than the heart conceived — and your
hemistich has that triple portion. The sentence would
penetrate in the mouth of any mother — when it is a Queen
that has lost husband, crown, power, court, everything but
her child, the thought improves on reflection, and deepens
all the accents on hfere, &,11, m^, treasure. An actress would
perhaps be to blame to pronounce all those four syllables
with the full emphasis that belongs to them ; for here is
opposed to England, all to the Exchequer, my to the regal
style Our, and treasure transfers the idea of riches to that of
an only child.
3 Margaret of Anjou (1430-1482), Poetical Pieces. It was acted at
Queen of Henry VI, mother of the Dmry Lane on March 11, 1777. The
ill-fated Edward, Prince of Wales incident in question is supposed to
(1453-1471). have taken place during the Wars
* The piece was Margaret of Anjou, of the Boses, shortly before or after
an Historical Interlude, published in the defeat of the Lancastrians at the
1777, and reprinted in Fjigitive battle of Hexham (May 15, 1164).
34 To Edward Jerningham [l778
I beg your pardon, and may have refined too much. We
commentators do sometimes discover more than our author
intended ; but wlien nature speaks, it is prodigious how far
the justness of her thoughts will vibrate. Shakespeare who
wrote down what she dictated, must often have perceived
more beauties than he was aware of at first, in committing
her words to paper. I have taken up too much of your time,
and am dear sir
your obliged humble servant
Hon. Walpole.
1908*. To Charles Rogers.
Arlington Street, Deer. 8th, 1778.
Mr. H. Walpole was exceedingly mortified when he heard
Mr. Eogers had done him the favour of calling on him with
his most obliging and acceptable present \ when it was quite
impossible for Mr. Walpole to see anybody, being gone to
bed in pain. Mr. W. had seen Mr. Suckling ^ for a moment
in the morning, who can tell Mr. Eogers how little fit
Mr. Walpole was to see anybody, having been confined for
six weeks to his bed and room with the gout all over him.
Mr. Walpole returns Mr. Eogers a thousand thanks for
this new proof of his friendship, which he values so much,
that it makes him unreasonable enough even to beg another
present, which is another impression of Mr. Eogers's own
portrait % Mr. Walpole being very desirous of having one for
his collection of English heads, as well as for the magnificent
Letter 1908*. — Not in C. ; now (see letters to Mann of Feb. IB, and
first printed from original in the May 17, P.S., 1776).
Cottonian Mnseum at Plymouth. s The mezzotint engraved by W.
The letter is addressed : ' To Charles Wynne Byland in 1778 of the por-
Eogers Esq', at the Custom Honse.' trait painted in 1777 by Sir Joshua
1 Probably a print. Reynolds, now in the Cottonian
2 WiUiam Suckling, Walpole's Museum at Plymouth,
deputy as Collector of the Customs
1779] To Charks Rogers 35
and beautiful work' with which his library has already been
honoured and adorned.
1908**. To Ohables Rogeks.
Arlington Street, Deer. 10, 1778.
Mr. Walpole has received Mr. Eogers's second obliging
favour, for which he gives him a thousand thanks, and with
which he is much more pleased than Mr. Eogers seems to
be. The portrait' is very like, and if it should be a little
the younger ', there is no harm, for in so fine a work that
will be lasting, posterity will not know at what age the
likeness was taken.
Mr. Walpole feels that in a fortnight or three weeks he
shall be able to receive company, when there is nobody he
shall see with more pleasure and gratitude than Mr. Eogers ;
as, when able to go abroad, Mr. W. shall be happy to wait
on Mr. Eogers whenever he knows a day and hour that will
not be inconvenient.
1968*. To Chakles Rogers.
[Arlington Street]
Aug. 22nd, late [1779].
Mr. Walpole is extremely sensible of Mr. Eogers's great