The Correspondence of Horace Walpole, with George Montagu, Esq., [And Others].; 1735-1759

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1837 edition. Excerpt: ...duchess of Newcastle. Or. 3 Philip, earl of Hardwicke. Or. 6 William, afterwards fourth duke of Devonshire Or. 'Companion of lady Burlington, lord Hartington's mother-in-law. Or... Under secretary of state. Ed. have gained a superiority over that of France and Italy, which was unknown even to Walsingham.9 I have written thus far, and perhaps should have elegized on for a page or two farther, when Harry, who has no idea of the dignity of grief, blundered in, with satisfaction in his coun-tenance, and thrust two pacquets from you into my hand.--Alas! he little knew that I was incapable of tasting any satisfaction but the indulgence of my concern. 1 was once going to commit them to the devouring flames, lest any light or vain sentence should tempt me to smile: but my turn for true philosophy checked my hand, and made me determine to prove that I could at once launch into the bosom of pleasure and be insensible to it. 1 have conquered; I have read your letters, and yet think nothing but Mr. Pelham's death! Could lady10 do thus? Could she receive a love-letter from Mr., and yet think only on her breathless lord? Thu rsday, 7. I wrote the above last night, and have staid as late as I could this evening, that I might be able to tell you who the person is in whom all the world is to discover the proper qualities for replacing the national loss. But, alas! the experience of two whole days has shewed that the misfortune is irreparable; and I don't know whether the elegies on his death will not be finished before there be any occasion for congratulations to his successor. The mystery is profound. How shocking it will be if things should go on just as they are! I mean by that, how mortifying if it is discovered, that when all the world thought Mr. Pelham...