it will be before you can get into it. It is a charming house; how everybody will hate you for having got it. Adieu, my dear George. I have lost my money, but that is nothing; I shall win some other time. Pray do not plague yourself about imaginary evils. It is time enough when they really happen. Good b'ye to you.

The Earl of Carlisle to George Selwyn.

CASTLE HOWARD, January 29 [1773]. MY DEAR George: If I was once to begin thanking you for the kindness which you show to me upon all occasions, all my time would be employed in acknowledging your goodness. But do not think I am the less sensible of your friendship because I do not write an essay de amicitiâ.

I think we shall remain here about five weeks, when the travelling will not be in the least dangerous. I am afraid you will have formed such extravagant ideas of little Caroline's improvements that you will be disappointed; but I do assure you she is yet unacquainted with, Madame de Sévigné, and therefore will not be able to answer any questions concerning her.

Tell Hare I thank him for his letter, and also thank Charles for the tideman's place. I think it will be hard upon Charles, if Lord Holland will not do something more for him, as he exerts himself so much for Stephen, who has had an immense estate, his debts paid twenty times, and will have

a great augmentation after Lord Holland's death; though I fear Charles's attention will not entitle him to any very extraordinary favour from his father. I am, my dear George,

Yours, etc.,

CARLISLE.

The Earl of Carlisle to George Selwyn.

CASTLE HOWARD, Tuesday [Circ. Feb., 1773].

-

-I

MY DEAR GEORGE: I am very glad that you mistook the post day, as I believe by that means I got another sheet of paper. It is very difficult to say how far people's absurdities will carry them; but if the report is true about Col. K. and Lord L., I think the colonel will not be easily outdone. He shall be at the head of my list.

Indeed, Charles must take care of himself. He has very bad humours, which require great attention, or they will make his life miserable. As he is so careful in every other part of his conduct, he will not be consistent with himself to neglect his health. If there should ever be any change for the better in his circumstances, Hare will not lose that opportunity of speaking seriously to him about that business. I have also desired him not to forget it, if ever Charles should talk to him. about his circumstances; he may then introduce it in conversation. But what he says is true, it would be useless to torment him about it when he has not a guinea; so there it ends for the present.

Orford's death would have corresponded with his life. He has lived like no other person, and I believe no man of fashion ever went out of the world before by the itch; I mean on this side the Tweed.1

Caroline has got a little dog which gives her great delight, though it flings her down and steals her bread. Pray take care of your cough. I am curious to see the letters of Stewart. The Duke of Orleans's letter, which you made me send you back with so much care, was in the newspapers the day after. I have my doubts about the verses you mention of Lady O. I think she is a foolish woman, and can do nothing but cant and lie.

Lady Carlisle charges me always to say something to you that is kind, which I commonly omit, from jealousy. I am, my dear George,

Yours, etc.

LORD MACARTNEY.

SIR GEORGE, afterward Lord Macartney, now principally known from his famous mission to China in 1792, was born in 1737. In 1764 he was appointed envoy extraordinary to Russia, and afterward successively held the appointments

'George, third Earl of Orford; he survived till 5 December,

1791.

2 The well-known "Athenian Letters."

of secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Governor of the Caribbee Islands, President of Madras, and ambassador to China. After his return from the latter country he was advanced to an earldom, and was subsequently appointed Governor of the Cape of Good Hope. In 1797 he returned from the Cape, in consequence of ill health, and died March 31, 1800. For his success in public life he was chiefly indebted to the kindness, and high opinion formed of his talents by Lord Holland.

Sir George Macartney to George Selwyn.

BATH, Tuesday morning.

DEAR MR. SELWYN:- I arrived here yesterday to dinner, where I had the pleasure of finding both Lord and Lady Holland, though by no means so well as I wished, yet not so ill as I expected. Lord Holland does not seem to be much altered, either in his looks or his health, since I saw him six months ago; only his appetite is rather less. His mind is weak and languid, like his pulse, but at times appears to recover itself, and to be quiet and strong. His speech and memory are impaired, but I think his apprehension is perfect. Poor Lady Holland is a good deal changed: she is grown thin, and looks ill. Her whole nervous system seems strongly affected: the least trifle alarms her, and in the midst of the most cheerful discourse she often bursts out into an involuntary effusion of

tears.

She tells me, however, that she thinks herself better within these few days; and, notwithstanding the symptoms I have mentioned, I do not find that her case has been regarded as immediately dangerous. She herself does not apprehend much, but she complains a good deal of what she feels; and without doubt, poor woman, her sufferings must be great indeed. She goes out in her chaise every day, and both she and Lord Holland propose to set out for London in the latter end of next week, or the beginning of the following.

Harry [Fox] is here, but goes away to-morrow. Charles went the day before I came. Lady Holland tried the waters, but they heated her so much that she was obliged to leave them off. Bath is quite full. The Northumberlands, Holdernesses, and Carmarthens, are the principal persons of the drama. I shall return as soon as I can, and hope to see you in the beginning of next week. I am, with great truth and regard, dear Selwyn,

Very sincerely yours,

[Lord Holland died on the 1st

G. M.

of July, 1774, in the sixty-ninth year of his age. It has already been mentioned that when he was dying George Selwyn called at Holland House and left his card. It was carried to the dying statesman. Glancing at it for a moment, he observed, with a mournful pleasantry: "If Mr. Selwyn calls again, show him