permit him to mention. I have always understood dissipation was one of the principal vices of this unfortunate creature; but if dissipation is not to be mentioned, the Lord have mercy upon us all. I am called away. I am, my dear George, Yours, etc. ANNE, COUNTESS OF UPPER OSSORY. THIS is the first of a series of interesting letters from a beautiful, accomplished, and injured woman. Anne, Countess of Upper Ossory, was the only child of Henry, first Lord Ravensworth. On the 29th of January, 1756, she formed a splendid match with the too celebrated minister, Augustus Henry, third Duke of Grafton, whose private vices and political misconduct have been commented upon by Junius with so much bitterness. The duke's profligate amours, and, more especially, his intrigue with Nancy Parsons (a once beautiful but superannuated courtesan), which has been immortalised by Junius, led to his estrangement from his charming duchess, and to their subsequent divorce. This latter event took place on the 23d of March, 1769, and the duchess subsequently became the wife of John, Earl of Upper Ossory, by whom she was the mother of two daughters. Horace Walpole (who appears to have been an ardent admirer of her beauty, her good sense, and many endearing qualities, and who more than once speaks of her enthusiastically as "my duchess "), in his poem of "The Three Herons," pays her the following pleasing compliment, long after her beauty must have been on the wane: "For me, suffice in Ampthill's groves, I first announced, in artless page, And promised, where my Anna shone, The death of Lady Ossory took place in Grosvenor Place, on the 23d of February, 1804. Countess of Upper Ossory to George Selwyn. MY DEAR SIR: I cannot resist sending you my compliments of congratulation on an interview between Madame Fagniani and her daughter being over, with which I understand you are satisfied. C'est beaucoup dire. I confess I am particularly glad of this event, not only as I think it the most advantageous thing which could happen to our little friend, but also to your friends, as I trust you will be more at liberty, and that we shall sooner or later profit from it. Lord Ossory desires his kindest compliments. I am always, dear sir, your obliged and faithful ANNE UPPR. OSSORY. P. S. I am going to live in a forest for a fortnight; pray send us there some account how the world goes on - Farming Woods, Thrapston, Northamptonshire. LADY DIANA BEAUCLERK. LADY DIANA SPENCER, SO celebrated for her beauty, her talents, and delightful powers of conversation, was the eldest daughter of Charles, second Duke of Marlborough, by Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas, Lord Trevor. She was born on the 24th of March, 1734, and on the 9th of September, 1757, became the wife of Frederic, Viscount Bolingbroke, whose name has so often occurred in the course of the present correspondence. This marriage was dissolved by act of Parliament on the 10th of March, 1768; and, two days afterward, Lady Diana married the wellknown Topham Beauclerk, grandson of the first Duke of St. Albans, by whom she was left a widow on the 11th of March, 1780. Her death took place on the 1st of August, 1808. By Mr. Beauclerk she was the mother of two daughters and one son; of whom Elizabeth married George Augustus, the late (eleventh) Earl of Pembroke; and Charles George Beauclerk, the son, married Charlotte, daughter of William Ogilvie, Esq., by the Duchess Dowager of Leinster. Lady Diana Beauclerk to George Selwyn. Thursday, No. 12 SOUTH PArade, Bath. Will you excuse my reminding you of your promise? I have not yet heard from Campden House, which perhaps may be one reason for my thinking this place detestable. The fog has been choking me all the morning, and now the sun is blinding me. A thousand children are running by the windows; I should like to whip them for not being mine. I will not trouble you any longer with my ill-humour. If you are so good as to write, pray let me know if your distresses about the Fagnianis are yet at an end. I am, sir, your most obedient humble servant, D. BEAUCLERK. The Earl of Carlisle to George Selwyn. September 3, 1776. MY DEAR GEeorge: As I was only absent two days from home on a shooting party, I did not think of speaking to you about your business. I rejoice very much that what you have seen of the Fagnianis has given you pleasure. You have a year before you; therefore ought not to give yourself any vexation upon the subject of Mie Mie.' I shall only say one short word upon the subject. I see you are delighted with their behaviour 'The child's parents had consented to let her remain with Selwyn for twelve months. to the child, and I am sure you wish that they may act in regard to her in a manner that will gain them respect from the world, which they have perhaps undeservedly been deprived of. I know the difficulty you will be in; you will wish them to do something that will argue want of apparent tenderness to the child, and you will wish that they may have all the parental fondness for it that will reflect credit on themselves, and be, in case of any removal of her to Italy, extremely necessary to her happiness. I am sure you know I never have said a word upon this tender subject but when I have thought it necessary for your own ease not to flatter you; and I only implore you now to let your reason act. You will have many opportunities of judging; you will see what is feasible, what is impracticable; and don't set your heart upon that which is the most difficult to bring about. We shall go to Trentham at the end of the month; I shall be in Suffolk before the meeting of Parliament. I see nothing to be done but entirely to give up London. As for any other country-house but this, there would be no reason to think of it no sense in trying it. We both love this place; all the disagreeable part of retirement will be less felt here than in any other place; we have more occupations here. Adversity and solitude make men better and wiser. There is no place we can live in so cheaply as here. Consider how many things are supplied for the table here |