THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES 
 
 FREDERIC THOMAS BLANCHARD 
 ENDOWMENT FUND
 
 THE 
 
 OPINIONS 
 
 O F 
 
 SARAH DUCHESS-DOWAGER 
 
 O F 
 
 MARLBOROUGH.
 
 THE 
 
 OPINIONS 
 
 O F 
 
 SARAH DUCHESS-DOWAGER 
 
 O F 
 
 M A R LBOROUGH, 
 
 PUBLISHED PROM ORIGINAL MSS, 
 
 MDCCLXXXVIII.
 
 DA 
 
 P R F A C E. 
 
 ^T'HE, following feleclion is made 
 
 from MSS. which begin in the 
 
 fear 1736-7, and end in the year 
 
 1741-2. lean, 'with great truth, 
 
 aver, that the MSS.- fell into my 
 
 hands by mere accident: But an a- 
 
 nonymous editor has no right to 
 
 hope that the public Jhould give im- 
 
 plicit credit to his affirtions. 
 
 Should any reader entertain doubts 
 
 as to the authenticity ofthisfeleftion,. 
 
 the editor cannot remove them, unlefs 
 
 by an -appeal to internal evidence ; jor 
 
 a there 
 
 920874
 
 there are infuperable ob/lades to the 
 depofiting of the originals, either in 
 a public library or 'with a bookfeller. 
 
 The materials of which this little 
 'work is compofed, are alphabetically 
 digejied. Had the order of time been 
 obferved, they 'would have borne the 
 more familiar and pie afmg form of a 
 Diary : Bitt, in that cafe, the hifto- 
 ncal narratives e would have appear- 
 ed abrupt, the tranfition from one 
 fubjefl to another too fudden, and 
 the reflections of the author altoge- 
 ther defultory. 
 
 Infome pajjages the original is ob- 
 fcure, and very often it is ungram- 
 matical. For the Duchefs of Marl- 
 borough 'writes in collo
 
 a dialect not pure, however copious* 
 Much of this might have been eajtfy 
 corrected^ had Mr Hooke, her Grace's 
 hijlorian in pay, revifed the work. 
 But I determined to limit myfelf to 
 the humbk office of tranfcriber^ and 
 to print the very words in \vhichJ1ic 
 chofe to exprefs herfelf. 
 
 As the original abounds in private 
 hiftory, I might have gratified the 
 prevailing tajle for anecdotes with 
 larger and more inter ejling tran- 
 fcripts. This, however, I have 
 mdujlrioujly avoided. 
 
 What the Duchefs thought of 
 
 Princes and Jlatefmen I communicate ', 
 
 'without fcruple^ to the world; for 
 
 Princes and Jlatefmen will find Apo- 
 
 a 2 logifts
 
 logifts enough i no lefs ready to vin- 
 dicate thanfhe to cenfure. 
 
 Yet that the reader might be en- 
 ailed more thoroughly to judge of her 
 turn ofmind, I have ventured to pu- 
 bliflo her harjh opinions of fome per- 
 fons of eminent rank, although neither 
 Princes nor Jlatefmen : But this li- 
 berty has been taken fparingl)\ and 
 only 'when it was in my po'wer to 
 deteft her mi/lakes by the evidence of 
 fafls. 
 
 From this there is one exception: 
 The Duchefs^ in her account of 'the 
 
 ' Windfor election, fcatters her a- 
 bufe 'without refpecl of party or per- 
 
 fais 9 and therefore can hurt no body.
 
 In treating of George H.foefpeaks 
 the language of her own times. There 
 are ivho remember the early part of 
 that reign, and they 'will not fee any 
 thing new orjingular in her animad- 
 uerftons and farcafms. That which, 
 in our more liberal age, would be con- 
 fidered as bafe invective and fcurri- 
 lity, was -the popular language .of 
 thofe times, re-echoed from pamphlet- 
 eers and hawkers, to dif appointed and 
 angry politicians. 
 
 Her Grace, amid/I all her bad- hu- 
 mour, has furni/hed us 'with fome 
 circumjlances honourable to the me- 
 mory of George II. Thus, Jhe has 
 proved, that the farrow which he 
 exprejfed for the lofs of his confort, 
 \ivas fincere* ; and Jhe has produced 
 * Page. 37.
 
 a Jinking injlance of his good tem- 
 per*. Thefc trifles are below the 
 notice of bis panegyrifts, who throiv 
 a blaze of glory about him 'which 
 dazzles the multitude. 
 
 Great is our veneration for dead 
 Kings ; and yet, if ive admire and 
 applaud them at large, 'without ac- 
 knowledging their weaknejfes and 
 imperfections, ho r w are the former 
 fovereigns of a free people to be dif- 
 criminated from a long range of Roy- 
 al Egyptian mummies ? This fort of 
 pralfe, fometimes Interejled and fre~ 
 quently invidious, reduces hiftory to 
 the rank of monqflic annals, 'wherein 
 every fitccejfive abbot appears juft as 
 
 pious,
 
 pious, as public-fpirited, and as be- 
 neficent as his predecejjors. 
 
 Both fides ought to be heard, and 
 the evidence 'weighed ; and pojierity^ 
 that jury to 'which all Kings muft go^ 
 will return a true anfwer. 
 
 What the Duchefs of Marlborough 
 fays of >ueen Caroline may be confi- 
 dered as an ample commentary on the 
 infcription Jet up at Blenheim. That 
 infcription, as 'we no'w learn from the 
 bejl authority ^Jerved the double pur- 
 pofe ofpraife and fatire, and, 'while 
 it illuminated ^ueen Anne, begrim- 
 med ^ueen Caroline *. 
 
 It is odd that the Duchefs could 
 * Page 12* 
 
 not
 
 not beftow a few lines of common ci- 
 vility on the Princefs of Wales, 'with- 
 out drawing a peevifh comparifon be- 
 tween ^ueen Caroline and her *. 
 
 What 'were the caufes of a dijlike r 
 exprejfed on Jo many occafions, and 
 with Jo much acrimony, I know not. 
 Perhaps fhe envied the Queen, becaufe 
 foe imagined her to be pojfejfed of 
 power in fome meafure refembimg 
 that which Jhe herjelf had pojfcjftd. 
 Befides, the ^ueen 'was a copious 
 dijcourjer ; and, as in the multitude 
 of 'words there wanteth not impru- 
 dence, it is poj/ible that, in fome un* 
 guarded moment, Jhe nfed the like 
 liberties 'with the character of the 
 Duchefs of Marlborough) as the Du- 
 
 * Page 99. 
 
 chefs
 
 < siii ) 
 
 chefs 'was wont to ufe toward thofe 
 who had the misfortune to fall under 
 her difpleafure. This muft have 
 produced immortal refentment, for, 
 free cenfurers cannot brook cenfure. 
 
 He had more wit than wifdom 
 whofaid, that " the neighbour gof- 
 " ftps at St J ' s and Marlborough 
 " houfe could not agree" 
 
 Sir Robert Walpolefeems to have 
 been the principal objefl of the difmal 
 Meditations of the Duchefs of Marl- 
 borough. Shefometimes hints at a 
 perfonal quarrel between them ; but 
 of its real caufe and nature I am ig- 
 norant. It is evident, however, thai 
 fheperfuaded herfelf, that by his wif- 
 xondufl England would le fpeedily 
 b ruined,
 
 'ruined, and^ 'with England \ her 
 own fortune. The fatal fponge, 
 which -was at once to efface all go- 
 vemment-fecurities, hung in imagi- 
 nation over her head, andjhe did not 
 hefitate to believe that the Minifter 
 was about to make the nation commit 
 an acJ of fraudulent bankruptcy. Her 
 condition muft have been lamentable 
 during the long and violent Jiruggle 
 between the partifans of Sir Robert 
 Walpole and their antagonifts. The 
 leaden ofoppofitionin thofe days look- 
 ed for power and emoluments on a 
 change^ and the followers of oppoji- 
 tion thought that abujes would be 
 corrected) and the errors of the for- 
 mer adminiftration amended. But 
 around her all 'was gloomy. With 
 the ferocity of a Spartan matron foe 
 
 exprejjed
 
 fxpreffed her eagernefsfor the remo- 
 val and difgrace, and even for the 
 capital punifhment of Sir Robert Wai- 
 pole, andyetjhe placed little confi- 
 dence in his Juccejfors. " No govern- 
 " ment can be fo bad as it has been" 
 was all thatJJoe could fnd to fay on 
 hailing the dawn of Lord Carte refs 
 Miniftry : and I prefume, that, had 
 the MSS. under my eye proceeded far- 
 ther ^ even this f canty eulogium 'would 
 have been declaimed and reprobated. 
 
 Let me injuflice obferve, that, a- 
 mong the Memoranda of the Du- 
 chefs, there are proofs of her libera- 
 lity and munificence ) and y 'which is 
 more fmgular ^ oj her good-nature, in 
 contradiction to the cry of the day. 
 But unfortunately the particulars mufl 
 b 2- be-
 
 be <with-held 'from the view of my ' 
 reader s> for they are connected 'with 
 private hiftory. 
 
 / have chofen to prefix to this mif- 
 cellany the Jim fie title of " The Opi- 
 *' nions of Sarah Duchejs Dowager 
 " of Mar thorough." With very lit~ 
 tie trouble I might have moulded my 
 materials^ according to the French 
 faflrion t into A Political Teftament: 
 And, had I been dijpofed to adopt a 
 hint given by Mr Horace Walpole^ I 
 might have called them, The EfFu- 
 iions of Caprice and Arrogance *. 
 
 * " This favourite Duchefs, "who t like the 
 " proud Duke of Efpernon, lived to brave 
 " the fuccejjors in a court "where fhe bad da<- 
 '* mineered, wound up her capricious life 
 " -with an apology for herconduEl. Thepiece t 
 " though weakened by the prudence of thbfe
 
 ( xvii ) 
 
 '* uho were to corretJ it, though maimed by 
 tf her Grace's own corrections, and though 
 " great part of it is rather the annals of a 
 '* wardrobe than of a reign, yet has Jlill cu- 
 * rious anecdotes, and a few of thofe fatties 
 " of wit, -which fourfcore years of arrogance 
 " could not fail to produce in fofantajlic an 
 " under/landing" Royal and Noble Au- 
 thors, vol. i p. 179. 
 
 CON-
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 Page 
 
 Princefs Amelia, - - i 
 
 Queen Anne, - - - 2 
 
 Duke of Argyle, - 7 
 
 Queen Caroline, - - - n 
 
 Dogs, . 15 
 
 My entail, ib. 
 
 Forebodings, - - - j8 
 
 George II. ... 36 
 
 Guftavus Vafa, a tragedy, 40 
 
 Lord Harrington, - - . 41 
 
 Lord Hervey, - - - 42 
 
 Reduction of Intereft, - 45 
 
 Improvement of land, 50 
 
 Purchafe of land, 51 
 
 Sir Jofeph Jekyl, - 52 
 
 Kings, 53 
 
 Liberty, - - - 54 
 
 Life and death, - - 55 
 
 Duke of Montagu, 58 
 
 Motion againft Sir R. Walpole, - 60 
 
 Chamber Organ, - 63 
 
 Patriots, - - - 64 
 
 Political Papers, ~ 66
 
 xx CONTENTS. 
 
 Page 
 
 Earl of Pembroke, 69 
 
 Plan for the Eftablifhment of a Miniftry, 70 
 Lord Polwarth and his Brother, 72 
 
 Roman Catholics, - - 73 
 
 'Cardinal de Retz, - 74 
 
 Earl of Scarborough, - 75 
 
 Seceffion from the Houfe of Commons, 76 
 Charles Earl of Sunderland, - 78 
 
 Dean Swift, 79 
 
 Town and Country, - 82 
 
 Prince of Wales, - - 85 
 
 Princefs of Wales, - 99 
 
 Sir Robert Walpole, - 100 
 
 Windfor Election, - 112 
 
 Women, - 1 20 
 
 PRINCES*
 
 PRINCESS AMELIA. 
 
 OME people have a notion 
 that the Princefs Amelia will 
 be employed by the Minifter to do e- 
 very thing with the King ; but I think 
 (he has not experience enough. And 
 though, with great reafon, his Majefty 
 was influenced by the Queen, yet his 
 Majefty, who has fo great a capacity 
 himfelf, can never be influenced much 
 by a daughter of five and twenty. 
 
 A 1737-
 
 ( * ) 
 
 1737- Princefs Amelia is to perform 
 the Queen's part in the drawing room ; 
 but, by all I have either feen or heard 
 of her, I do not believe her behaviour 
 will create many friends to the family. 
 
 QUEEN ANNE. 
 
 QUEEN ANNE had a perfon and ap- 
 pearance very graceful, fomething of 
 majefty in her look. She was reli- 
 gious without any affectation ; and cer- 
 ainly meant to do every thing that was 
 jufl. She had no ambition ; which ap- 
 peared by her being fo eafy in letting 
 King William come before her to the 
 crown, after the King her father had 
 followed fuch counfels as made the na- 
 tion fee they could not be fafe in their 
 religion and laws, without coming to the 
 extremities they did. And fhe thought 
 it more for her honour to be cafy in it, 
 
 than
 
 ( 3 ) 
 
 than to make a difpute, ivho mould 
 have the crown firft, that was taken from 
 her father. And it was a great trouble 
 to her to be forced to act fuch a part a- 
 gainft him, even for fecurity, which was 
 truly the cafe; and fhe thought thofc 
 that fhewed the leaft ambition had the 
 bed character. Her journey to Not- 
 tingham was purely accidental, never 
 concerted, but occafioned by the great 
 fright ilie was in when the King returned 
 from Salifbury, upon which fhe faid *, 
 fhe would jump out at [the] window 
 rather than flay and fee her father ; and 
 upon that fent to the Bifhop of London, 
 to confult with others what fhe fhould 
 do ; who came with the Earl of Dorfet, 
 and carried her into the city, and from 
 thence to Nottingham. She was never 
 expenfive, but faved money out of her 
 L. 50,000 a-year, which, after fhe came 
 to the crown, was paid to Prince George 
 
 * It flood originally thus : *' and faid" 
 
 A 2 Of
 
 ( 4 ) 
 
 of Denmark, which was his by right. 
 She made no foolifli buildings, nor 
 bought one jewel in the whole time of 
 her reign #. 
 
 She always paid the greateft refpect 
 imaginable to King William and Queen 
 Mary, and never infifted upon any one 
 thing of grandeur more than (he had 
 when her family was eftablifhed by King 
 Charles II. ; though after the Revolution 
 fhe was [heir-prefumptive to the crown, 
 and, after her fifter died, was] in the 
 place of a Prince of Wales. The civil 
 Fift revenue was not increafed on her hav- 
 ing the crown ; and the late Earl of 
 Godolphin, who was treafurer, often 
 
 * Originally : " Nor made any foolljh build- 
 " ings, nor bought one jewel in the whole time of 
 " her reign, but lived upon her L. 50,000 a-year, 
 " tillJJie was Queen. And there was a great 
 *' balance at that time paid to Prince George of 
 " Denmark, which was his by right ; 'which 
 " Monfieur Place received for the Prince's ufe 
 " lukfnjhe. came to the crown." 
 
 faid,
 
 ( 5 ) 
 
 faid, that from accidents in the cuftoms, 
 and not {training things to hardfhips, the 
 revenue did not come to, one year with 
 another, more than L. 500,000 ; how- 
 ever, as it was found neceflary to have 
 a war, to fecure England from the power 
 of France, ihe contributed, for the eafe 
 of the people, L. 100,000 out of her 
 own revenue, to leflen the expence, in 
 one year : And out of her civil lift me 
 paid a great many penfions given in for- 
 mer reigns, which have been fmce 
 thrown upon the public ; and me gave 
 the firft fruits to be diftributed among- 
 the poor clergy. She was extremely 
 well bred, and treated her chief ladies and 
 fervants as if they had been her equals ; 
 and me never refufed to give charity, 
 when there was the lead reafon for any 
 body to afk it ; and likewife paid the fal- 
 aries of moft of her fifter's fervants, not- 
 withftanding the hardfhips (he had fuffer- 
 ed in King William's reiga. And to 
 
 fliew
 
 fhew how good a manager me was for 
 the public, till a very few years before 
 fhe died, fhe never had but L. 20,000 
 a-year for her privy purfe, which was 
 vaftly lefs than any King or Queen ever 
 had : But at the latter end of her reign 
 it was increafed to L. 26,000, which was 
 much to her honour, becaufe that is 
 fubjecl: to no account : and, in compari- 
 fon of other reigns, (he was as faving in 
 another office, that of the robes ; for it 
 will appear by all the records in the Ex- 
 chequer, where the accounts were pafT- 
 cd, that in nine years fhe fpent only 
 L. 37.5050, including the coronation ex- 
 pence. 
 
 I have put thefe facts together, for 
 materials for the perfon who writes the 
 infcription *. They are all true, not- 
 withftanding what me was impofed upon 
 
 * On the ftatue of Queen Anne, in the gal- 
 lery at Blenheim. Her Grace has furnifhcd 
 us with a key to that infcription. 
 
 in
 
 ( 7 ) 
 
 In doing at the end of her reign . I ne- 
 ver flattered any body living; and I can- 
 not be fufpected of it now the Queen is 
 dead. But this chara&er of the Queen 
 is fo much the reverfe of Queen Caro- 
 line, that I think it will not be liked at 
 court. And though I make no obferva- 
 tions upon it, no body can read it with- 
 out reflecting upon the difference of the 
 proceedings in Queen Anne's reign and 
 the prefent. 
 
 DUKE of ARGYLE. 
 
 1733. It is faid the Duke of Argyle 
 is extremely, angry. It is a common 
 faying, that when a houfe is to fall the 
 rats go away ; but I doubt there is no- 
 thing of that in this cafe, and I rather 
 think the anger muft be to have fome 
 new demand fatisfied, which is a thing 
 his Grace has often done. Sir Robert 
 
 is
 
 ( a > . 
 
 is very free in his fpeeches, and before 
 a great deal of company lately that dined 
 with him, fome body took up the fub- 
 jed of the Duke of Argyle's being an- 
 gry. Sir Robert had a mind to let it 
 drop, but they would go on with it ; 
 and Sir Robert faid, that the Duke of 
 Argyle and the King, upon a war, would 
 always be angry, becaufe they both had 
 a mind to command the army, which was 
 impoffible for either of them to do. 
 
 1738. After all the great noife there 
 was of the Duke of Argyle's being irre- 
 concilably angry with Sir Robert ; every 
 thing has paft fmce in the houfe with- 
 out his faying the lead word to mew it ; 
 that was no furprife to me. 
 
 1738-9. I think it is quite fure that 
 the Duke of Argyle is determined and 
 has thrown away the fcabbard, and he 
 ufes to have a very quick fight when it 
 was time to leave a Minifter. I am fa- 
 tisfied that the Duke of Argyle will do 
 
 as
 
 ( 9 ) 
 
 as he fays, and that will do more good 
 than any three men that I could name 
 to take that part. 
 
 1 738-9. The Duke of Argyle fpoke 
 charmingly fon the convention with 
 Spain], and has certainly thrown away 
 the fcabbard. And, as he is ftrongly 
 in the right, and indefatigable, he will 
 make a greater figure in this affair than 
 any fix men I could name together. 
 
 1 738-9. I like the way the Duke of 
 Argyle lately took, upon a very fcurrilous 
 paper being writ againft him, by one 
 that was known to be a court writer for 
 a penfion: And it was intimated to the 
 Duke, that the author mould be punifh- 
 cd. But he anfwered very prettily, that 
 if they profecuted him, he would come 
 and defend him; for -the author had 
 done what was right in faying what he 
 vv'as paid for, and they did him no hurt. 
 All the hatred I once had to him, up- 
 on a very juft account, is now turned to 
 B love,
 
 C <> .) 
 
 iove. However, as he don't want mo- 
 ney, I mould be glad they would turn 
 him out. 
 
 1740. The Duke of Argyle's lafl 
 fpeech is I think very well drawn ; and 
 I fuppofe the account of his behaviour 
 for four years laft paft is as well as he 
 could make it. But there mud be a 
 veil thrown over many things that he 
 did. However, as he has no intereft 
 now but to aft for the good of the pu- 
 blic, and has fpirit and parts, I don't 
 doubt but he will exert himfelf as much 
 as he can. 
 
 1740-1. The Duke of Argyle fpoke 
 as well as it was poffible for a man to do. 
 
 1741-2. The Duke of Argyle is to 
 have all the places he was formerly pof- 
 Icfled of. He has certainly had a great 
 deal of merit in what has pafled of late ; 
 and I heartily wifh he njay aft as well 
 now as he has done, 
 
 QUEEN
 
 QUEEN CAROLINE. 
 
 1737. fLong minutes concerning her 
 laft illhefs and death.] Her death afcri- 
 bed to a mortification proceeding from 
 a concealed or neglecTed hernia. 
 
 1737. The Queen, in her illnefs, de- 
 fired leave to make a will, which fhe 
 did ; gave no legacy to any one, but left 
 all to his Majefty ; and it was fo word- 
 ed, as, 1 am told, that it takes in all me 
 had in England, or in any banks in other 
 Countries. Her jewels are worth a great 
 fum : But all that belonged to Queen 
 Anne, Queen Mary, &c. me could no 
 more difpofe of, than of St James's or 
 Hampton Court. There can be no 
 doubt of her having a great fum of mo- 
 ney, which, it is not likely, mould ever 
 be known ; and Mr Selwyn, one of her 
 agents, has faid fmce her death, that 
 B 2 fhc
 
 ( 1* ) 
 
 fhe was in debt L. 5000. If that were 
 true, I cannot fee what reafon there was 
 for her Majefty to do any thing, but to 
 recommend her debts and her fervants 
 to the King. 
 
 1737. Our Bifhops are now about to' 
 employ hands to write the fined cha- 
 racter that ever was heard of Queen Ca- 
 roline; who, as it is no treafon, I freely 
 own that I am glad (he is dead. For to 
 get money, that has proved of no man- 
 ner of ufe to her, and to fupport Sir Ro- 
 bert in all his arbitrary injuflice, [me] 
 brought this nation upon the very brink 
 of ruin, and has endangered the fuccef- 
 fion of her own family, by raifing fo 
 high a diiTatisfaclion in the whole nation, 
 as there is to them all, and by giving fa 
 much power to France, whenever they 
 think fit to make ufe of it, who will have 
 no mercy upon England. 
 
 1737. His Majeity thinks he has loft 
 the greateft politician that ever was born, 
 
 and
 
 ( 13 
 
 and one that did him the greateft fervice 
 that was poflible. Though every body 
 elfe that knows the truth mud acknow- 
 ledge that it was quite the contrary. 
 For my own part, it is demonftration to 
 me, that nothing could have put this na- 
 tion and family in danger but the mea- 
 fures of the Queen and Sir Robert. To 
 my knowledge, moft of the weeping la- 
 dies that went to the King have exprefled 
 the fame opinion of the Queen former- 
 ly that 1 have defcribed. 
 
 1737-8. Upon her great underftand- 
 ing and goodnefs there comes out nau- 
 feous panegyrics every day, that make 
 one fick, fo full of nonfenfe and lies, 
 that almoit every body knows to be fo ; 
 and there is one very remarkable from a 
 Dr Clarke, in order to have the firft Bi- 
 fhoprick that falls, and I dare fay he will 
 have it, though there is' fomething ex- 
 tremely ridiculous in the panegyric ; for, 
 after he has given her the moft perfed 
 
 character
 
 ( 14 ) 
 
 character that ever any woman had or 
 can have, he allows, that " me had fa- 
 " crificed her reputation to the great and 
 " the many, to mew her duty to the 
 " King, and her love to her country." 
 Tbefe are the clergyman's words exact- 
 ly, which allows me did wrong things, 
 but it was to pleafe the King ; which is 
 condemning him. I fuppofe he muft 
 mean fome good Ihe did to her own 
 country, for I know of none (he did in 
 England, unlefs raking from the public 
 deferves a panegyric. 
 
 1737-8. It feems to me as if her ghoft 
 did every thing by f their] faying, what- 
 ever is to be done, was the Queen's opi- 
 nion mould be fo ; and every thing is 
 compafied by that means by Sir Robert, 
 without any trouble at all ; but if 
 mould happen to have an opinion of any 
 perfon that is living, perhaps they may 
 get the better of the ghoft. 
 
 DOGS.
 
 DOGS. 
 
 1737. I am very fond of [my] three 
 dogs, they have all of them gratitude, 
 wit, and good fenfe : Things very rare 
 to be found in this country. They are 
 fond of going out with me ; but when I 
 reafon with them, and tell them it is not 
 proper, they fubmit, and watch for my 
 coming home, and meet me with as 
 much joy as if I had never given them 
 good advice. 
 
 MY ENTAIL. 
 
 1738. I have made a fettlement of a 
 very great eftate that is in my own 
 power, upon my grandfon, John Spen- 
 cer, and his fons : But they are all to 
 forfeit it if any of them fhall ever accept 
 
 any
 
 ( '6 ) 
 
 any employment, military or civil, or 
 any penfion frona any King or Queen of 
 this realm, and the eftate is to go to 
 others in the entail. This I think ought 
 to pleafe every body ; for it will feeure 
 my heirs in being very confiderable men. 
 None of them can put on a fool's coat, 
 and take ports from foldiers of expe- 
 rience and fervice, who never did any 
 thing but kill pheafants and partridges. 
 Their heirs may do great fervice to their 
 country, and ought to be well received 
 .when they go to court, fince they will 
 have nothing to afk ; for I .would have 
 them join with any King or Minifter 
 when they defire nothing but what is 
 for the good of the nation and the King, 
 who in truth muft always have the fame 
 interefl. But if we mould happen .ever 
 to have a Prince that would rump mem- 
 bers for giving their vote for the true 
 intereft of their country, in that cafe, a 
 man with a great fortune may be very 
 
 well
 
 ( >7 ) 
 
 well contented to live at home, and keep 
 much better company than I have known 
 for many years at court. Here is an- 
 other advantage in this to the Minifters, 
 for if they fhould happen to do any thing 
 that is good for the^public, they will have 
 the honour of it themfelves ; and it can- 
 not be imputed to the wifdom of the 
 great men, which they generally choofe 
 to put into great ports; and yet I do fan- 
 cy that they will not like any thing of 
 this fort ; but as the money they give to 
 people comes from the public, they had 
 rather give fomething to a'll their Tup- 
 porters than to have them independent, 
 fo as that nothing can tempt them to do 
 any thing but what is for the general good 
 as well as their own : For I really think 
 there are but few attendants that are the 
 better for employments, unlefs fuch as 
 have no eftates at all. 
 
 C FORE-
 
 FOREBODINGS. 
 
 1737. Whenever France makes ufc 
 of the power the Minifters have given 
 them, whkh I cannot but think they 
 will do, perhaps, very loon, I fliould be 
 glad to give half my eftate to fecure 
 the reft ; and it would be a very good 
 bargain. But, alas ! that would not 
 do; for there is fuch a general diflike 
 to the prefent government, both in Eng- 
 land, Ireland, and Scotland, that I be- 
 lieve people would be under great diffi- 
 -culties to determine which fide to take. 
 And, except my family, which muft 
 fuffer more than any other if .France 
 prevails, others, that are lefs obnoxious, 
 would not be able prefently to deter- 
 mine which was the eafieft fervitude, 
 France or Germany : And I doubt the 
 bufmefs would foon be determined, not 
 
 as
 
 ( '9 ) 
 
 as I wifh againft France. I don't wonder 
 at any thing the King or Queen does, 
 becaufe they know nothing of the truth. 
 But I think Sir Robert mud be under 
 ftrange infatuation, who has fo great a 
 flake himfelf, and yet ufes every body 
 ill that have been, and ever muft be 
 fure friends to fupport the prefent go- 
 vernment ; and, if he efcapes the rage of 
 the firft difturbance, he cannot hope to 
 fupport, by weak men and corrupt beg- 
 gars, the going on againft reafon and 
 law, and ruining fo great a nation as 
 England was. But 1 believe he will 
 proceed to gratify all his paffions ; and 
 perhaps he thinks, that, as he is older 
 than the King or Queen, he may die 
 himfelf in power ; which I wifh he may, 
 for the fake of my family, rather than that 
 France mould fucceed. Though I think 
 'tis poflible many may chufe that fervi- 
 tude before another : But I cannot fee 
 G 2- how
 
 how England can efcape being flavcs t<y 
 fome body. 
 
 1737. I don't think any thing good 
 can happen, unlefs by foine accident that 
 I cannot fee into. 
 
 1737. We are in a great deal of dan- 
 ger from France ; which is fo- plain, 
 that I am amazed that every body who 
 has a ftake is not of the fame opinion. 
 But the love of a little prefent advantage 
 blinds them, and Sir Robert too ; for 
 certainly his (lake is as confiderable as 
 mod people's ; though, from the love of 
 power, it is plain he has ruined Eng- 
 land. I fuppofe one of his reafons for 
 coming to fuch great extremities is, that 
 Be cannot bear lofing his power, and 
 thinks it may hold longer than he can 
 Kve, and that by his death all his ill-got- 
 ten treafure wili go in courfe to his fa- 
 mily. But 1 think he will be miftaken 
 in that, and that there is a ftorm arifing' 
 that will deftroy irrevocably the liber- 
 ties
 
 tics of England, whichever fide prevails* 
 It is impoffible for any body with com- 
 mon fenfe to believe that France won't 
 endeavour to put one upon this throne, 
 that will be governed by them, as foon as 
 they think it fafe to attempt it. The 
 Cardinal, who has certainly been a good 
 Minifter to his own country, will natu- 
 rally think it for his glory to reftore 
 King James's family to what they call 
 their right, to eftablim his own religion 
 in England, and to have a Prince here 
 that will in all probability do every thing 
 they defire, inftead of being at the ex- 
 pence of keeping them abroad. Thefe 
 are natural thoughts in a Cardinal, who 
 has hitherto acted very wife and honed- 
 ly for his own country, without putting 
 it to any very extraordinary expence for 
 himfelf. And I really think the game 
 is very near up, and that, when any at- 
 tempt is made upon this nation, even 
 thofe people who have contributed to- 
 wards
 
 wards the ruin of it by their fooliih 
 compliance, will generally fit ftill ; and 
 after fo many forfeitures and executions, 
 will not care to appear on either fide till 
 they fee which is likelieft to fucceed, 
 fmce it will be very hard for them to 
 know by which fide they (hall fuffer leaft. 
 When I talk in this way to fome of 
 my acquaintance, they anfwer, they 
 hope it won't be as I imagine, and that, 
 if France attempted us, it would unite 
 every body in England. Their hopes, 
 without giving any reafon for them, is 
 nonfenfe ; and fo it is to imagine, that 
 every body in fuch a cafe would unite. 
 
 1737. What I dread mod is the power 
 of France ; for they will have no mercy 
 on us, and I fear have power to do what 
 they pleafe ; and the generality feem to 
 have fo much hatred and contempt for 
 one family, that from that and Sir Ro- 
 bert's government, God knows how 
 foon this country may yet be made more 
 
 miferable
 
 t *3 ) 
 
 miferable than it is. It is ama2ing to 
 me, that even the greatefl knave and 
 wretch upon earth will not act fo as to 
 fave their eftates, and fome of them 
 their places ; fince any body of fenfe e- 
 nough to feed themfelves mud fee things 
 are brought to fuch extremity, that if 
 they don't aft as if they were honefl 
 men, they can have neither eftates nor 
 places in a very little time. 
 
 1 737. Till the fcene opens * how can 
 any body be certain what the event will 
 be between fo many knaves and fools as 
 are concerned ? There is but one thing 
 certain, that the innocent and guilty 
 will be all ruined in a Ihort time by the 
 power of France ; and if one could ima- 
 gine that England could fupport them- 
 felves when there is fo much -difaffeclion 
 to one place, 1 mould not be very fond 
 of any flavery ; but France I think is the 
 
 '* Probably the meeting of Parliament. 
 
 worft,
 
 worft, becaufe, if that was fettled, no- 
 thing can prevent it. 
 
 1737-8. When the King of France 
 thinks it time to attack us with a cer- 
 tainty of fucceeding, there may perhaps 
 be fome little oppofition to that, but it 
 won't be confiderabie or long. But all 
 public funds will be ftopt to every body, 
 on account of the ftruggle there wiH 
 be to fave our laft flake. And the con- 
 clufion will be, whichever fide gets the 
 better, that a thorough fpunge will be 
 made, and England and Scotland will 
 be entire flaves, and under the direction 
 of the worft men that -can be got to 
 have the government of both countries. 
 I mould be glad, for the fake of a very 
 few, who I believe are worthy, to find 
 that 1 am in the wrong. 1 am extreme 
 old, and there are fo very few people 
 that deferve a better fate than feems te 
 threaten England, that 1 am really very 
 little concerned what happens, fmce 
 
 there
 
 's ) 
 
 thre are fo very few that don't deferve 
 to Aiffer for having betrayed their coun- 
 try, by contributing to its ruin, for pla- 
 ces, or a little money> which they did 
 not want. 
 
 1737-8. Cardinal Fleury is a great 
 deal more than fourfcore ; and it is a 
 fad thing to have nothing but his life to 
 fecure England from violent attempts; 
 if we could be fure, as I think we can- 
 not, that a Cardinal would not be defi- 
 rous to eftablifh Popery in this country, 
 under a dependency on France, when 
 he finds it can be done without hazard ; 
 and I have a notion that it is not far off; 
 for I believe great part of the army are 
 fuch men as will not be fo fuccefsful in 
 battle as they have been in their votes in 
 Parliament. 
 
 1738. I think, whatever changes hap- 
 pen, there can be nothing now that is 
 good, there being fuch a general cor- 
 ruption among all people, that if a new 
 D government
 
 government were to be fettled, I do ve- 
 rily believe that both the parties, inftead 
 of joining to fupport and fave the ruin 
 of their country, would give away what 
 money is left in the kingdom, to get 
 places themfelves, as they did when the 
 laft civil lift was fettled. Nay, I really 
 queftion, whether, if a King and a Mi- 
 nifter defigned to do every thing that 
 was right, a Parliament could be got 
 that would let them; for they would 
 fay, that they muft be paid as they ufed 
 to be, whatever confequence that pro- 
 duced ; and, like people that live upon 
 drams, they will have money as long as 
 there is any left for them. 
 
 1738. Miferable condition of [the] 
 country. Some accidents may, per- 
 haps, put fome little flop to the ruin of 
 it ; but no body can forefee when it will 
 happen, or whether we fhall be much 
 the better for it : But 1 am fure there is 
 not the lead profpect of recovering the 
 
 prejudices
 
 prejudices we are under, by giving fa 
 much power to France, unlefs we could 
 imagine they will have as bad Minifters 
 as we have, which I think is not pof- 
 fible. 
 
 1738-9. I compare our fituation to a 
 fhip near finking, which can't be faved, 
 but by fome extraordinary accident, 
 which may poflibly happen, but much 
 more likely not to happen ; and the ge- 
 nerality of the world are fo worthlefs, 
 that I am pretty indifferent when the to- 
 tal ruin comes. As far as any thing de- 
 pends upon me, I am fure nothing can 
 hinder me from acYmg as I have done ; 
 and, as I can't live long, I am fure they 
 can't do any thing that will quite ftarve 
 me, who never had one grain of vanity 
 in my inclination. I think in all ages 
 there have been as bad men, and fome 
 worfe, than Sir Robert. 'Tis true he 
 has impoverifhed and ruined his country 
 for power and gain ; but he could have 
 D 2 done
 
 tlone no mifchief if men of great for- 
 tunes had not aflifted him ; which will 
 certainly end in the ruin -of themfelves 
 and their pofterity ; and I am fure *I 
 have not the honour to be acquainted, 
 or to have the leaft intimacy with many 
 that are not fools ; and I know of no 
 remedy againft that : and this nation 
 had .certainly been fafe and happy, would 
 men of fortune have afted, without any 
 confideration of honour, what was tru- 
 ly to their own intereft : Others may 
 hope, if they can, ,in -what Js to come, 
 but I have none. 
 
 1739. Though others had hopes, >I 
 never had any : though I find feveral 
 people who are fo fanguine as to think 
 ftill that England will be faved, I can- 
 not for my life fee which way; fmce Sir 
 Robert has all the money and power, 
 and there are fuch number of fools 
 and knaves to fupport whatever he has 
 done or lhall do.
 
 1739. Sir Robert could not help a 
 war ; but he will manage it, fo that no- 
 thing mall be got by it, by ill conduct, 
 after all the people's money is drained 
 from them, which he will get and dif- 
 pofc of in corruption. I can't live long 
 enough to want neceflaries, having 
 bought land enough .to produce beef 
 and mutton at very dear rates, which 
 make my produce very little in compa- 
 rifon of money at intereft ; but ilill 
 'twill fupport one, unlefs an entire con- 
 queft come. But, notwithftanding this, 
 my jointure and more than half of my 
 property remains, and I can't help it, 
 in the government funds and fecurities.; 
 and I expect hvfome time to have them 
 fpunged off, by faying, there is no help 
 for the neceflity of the public but by 
 flopping payments, but that they will 
 pay them when they can. All. this I 
 firmly believe will happen. 
 
 1740. Had a great deal of difeourfc 
 
 laft
 
 ( 3 ) 
 
 htft night with one who calls himfelf a 
 patriot ; but I don't find that he or any 
 of the reft of them can give any thing 
 like a reafon for any hope ; and when I 
 prefs them upon that fubjedl, all lean get 
 is, that fome accident may bring things 
 about to be better : An accident is a 
 very uncertain remote comfort : and 
 what accident can do it ? for my part, I 
 cannot yet fee into it, nor what great 
 good it would produce if Sir Robert 
 ihould die, who I hear very often is rea- 
 dy to burft with laughing. The public 
 is more in debt than ever. There is a 
 vaft army already in England, which is 
 to be further increafed ; and much great- 
 er taxes mud be raifed to pay that ex- 
 pence, as well as a great fleet ; neither 
 of which have done any thing, or are 
 intended for any fervice, except the fol- 
 diers to awe the people of England, if 
 they ever mould be provoked to oppofe 
 arbitrary power j in which cafe, I am 
 
 apt
 
 ( 3' ) 
 
 apt to believe, that people would reflect 
 how many had been hanged, and loft 
 their eftates, for doing it. And I think 
 we cannot expert any alMance from the 
 army, as we had in the Prince of 
 Orange's time, becaufe all the old and 
 good officers are dead or removed ; and 
 I know no body left that, for the fake 
 of their penfions, would not be for Sir 
 Robert, if he mould have a mind to de- 
 clare himfelf King, befidts their great 
 ignorance and want of {kill to act, if 
 their heart would incline them to do a 
 ny thing that were right. Nothing is 
 fo plain as that Sir Robert has been in a 
 long agreement with Cardinal Fleury ; 
 and that at the time that all this farce 
 has been acted, and fuch a vaft expence 
 created, Sir Robert has ordered it fo as 
 to let the French and the Spaniards put 
 themfelves into fuch a condition as to 
 make it 1 think next to impoilible for 
 Admiral Vernon to be faved ; and 1 ex- 
 
 ped
 
 pe& to hear that he and our fleet is de- 
 ftroyed foonj and eonfequently that Ja- 
 maica will be taken from us. And I have 
 very great reafon to believe, that Sir 
 Chaloner Ogle has orders, if the delays 
 in fending him have not put it out of his- 
 power to do any thing, that he is poli- 
 tively forbid to do any thing againft the 
 French, though they have been fuffered 
 already to fortify Dunkirk, contrary to 
 the articles. If thefe things fhould hap- 
 pen, which I can fee no reafon why 
 they ihould not, England to be fure will 
 be in a great confirmation. But how- 
 will they help themfelves? Sir Robert 
 has both Houfes of Parliament, and will 
 eafily convince his Majefty that all he 
 has done is for his fervice. And when 
 the nation comes into fuch diftrefs that 
 Sir Robert can raife no more money up- 
 on the people, there muft be without 
 doubt a great fund from the favings of 
 King George I, Queen Caroline, and 
 
 what
 
 '( 33 ) 
 
 what may eafily be proved, the prefent 
 government has had from Ireland, ,old 
 remains of rent paid the crown, the ci- 
 vil-lift fettlement, Heflian troops, and 
 many other fuch good inventions, more 
 than two millions a-year, out of which 
 to be fure there is a great banlj ; and 
 nothing done for all this, except throw- 
 ing away all the Duke of Marlborough's 
 fuccefles, and giving us up to France : 
 and when they can get no more money 
 from taxes, 'tis probable the hidden trea- 
 fure may be made ufe of, to fupport Sir 
 Robert's abfolute power. For my own 
 part, I don't expect any thing can hap- 
 pen that is good, fince moft nations are 
 brought into flavery by the power of ill 
 Minifters ; much the greateft part of 
 what I have of my own, and likewife of 
 the truft-eftate, I expect mould be foon 
 loft with a fponge ; and the reft of it, 
 which is in land, will be reduced yet 
 further by taxes and excifes, which is 
 E half
 
 ( 34 ) 
 
 half gone already. But I can't live 
 long. I muft fubmit to all misfortunes 
 that cannot be helped. 
 
 1740-1. The Tories will not be fa- 
 tisfied without a Tory to be premier Mi- 
 nifter ; and I have not heard of any one 
 that is capable of governing. The na- 
 tion is fo vaftly in debt, and the expence 
 encreafmg daily, to fupport it againft 
 the foreign enemies, that I mould won- 
 der very much if men that have fortunes 
 on the other fide would undertake it. 
 But if there mould be men hardy e- 
 nough to do it, is there employments 
 enough to fatisfy the chiefs of both par- 
 ties ; and can our poor ifland furnim 
 money enough to make any ftand with- 
 out great alterations in the expence that 
 it has hitherto been at? I believe the 
 great men at prefent employed would 
 look very fourly upon any one who 
 fhould propofe to lefien their great en- 
 cjreafe of falaries, who have fold their 
 
 country
 
 ( 35 ) 
 
 country for what they did not want, 
 as many as fhould remain of them in a 
 new turn ; as thofe that come in would 
 think it hard if their great merit mould 
 not have the fame as has already been 
 given. But all this is a trifle in com- 
 parifon of the vaft revenue the King has, 
 which is already encreafed by adding to 
 Th's family, and will be much more from 
 the numerous iffue of the next heir and 
 his debts ; and I am apt to think that 
 his Majefty would not look very kindly 
 even upon Sir Robert, or any body elfe, 
 that mould propofe to him the leflening 
 any part of his revenue, towards con- 
 tributing to cafe the nation of the dc- 
 ftruction that his Minifters have brought 
 upon it. 
 
 E i GEORGE
 
 GEORGE II. 
 
 Feb. 6. 1736. Heard this day, from 
 a pretty good hand, that his Majefty has 
 been worfe than they cared to own, but 
 upon remedies they applied, his fever 
 leffened, and he was better. However, 
 the phyficians fay, that if he does get o- 
 ver this illnefs, he cannot live a~ twelve 
 month. 
 
 1737. The King was oppofed in the 
 council about the mourning [for Queen 
 Caroline] by every body, but my Lord 
 Wilmington, Some years ago there 
 was an order made that no body mould 
 put coaches or fervants into mourning 
 for any of their relations or court- 
 mournings. The nobility obeyed it, 
 though they had fathers and wives, as 
 dear to them as the Queen could be to 
 the King j and the King faid, he never 
 
 meant
 
 ( 57 ) 
 
 meant to have it go to his own family. 
 And my Lord Pembroke was as warm 
 in this matter as any body. But a man 
 who will fell his country for a place, to 
 be fure will put on any mourning *. 
 
 1 737 t ^ know one, .a considerable 
 man, who has feen the King once fmcc 
 this misfortune, [the death of the 
 Queen], and though it was one the 
 King would have difguifed himfelf to 
 if he could poflibly, he fays he never in 
 his life [fawj any one fo deje&ed, and 
 that he look'd as if he had loft his 
 crown. 
 
 This puts me in mind" of a thing that 
 happened many years ago, which mews 
 that his Majefty will hear reafon when 
 any one dares to fpeak it. There was 
 
 * It is reported that Lord Pembroke, after 
 the expiration of the long mourning for Queen 
 Caroline, appeared at court in a black fuit and 
 weepers ; that the King afked him the caufe, 
 and that he anfwered, " It is for my father, 
 to wham I owe fix months mourning." 
 
 a
 
 a perfon that was refufed a thing by 
 his Majefty and the Minifter, that he 
 thought juftice and his due ; upon which 
 he defired an audience, in which he re- 
 prefented what he thought proper : But 
 his Majefty looked very angry, and up- 
 on this, the perfon, as he was going to 
 fpeak, interrupted him, begged his par- 
 don for it, and added, that he begged, 
 before his Majefty gave him his anfwer, 
 that he would confider he was a gentle- 
 man. This changed his Majefty 's coun- 
 tenance, and he complyed with what 
 was defired. 
 
 1737. His Majefty faw the Queen's 
 women-fervants firft, which was a very 
 mournful fight, for they all cryed ex 
 tremely ; and his Majefty was fo affect- 
 ed that he began to fpeak, but went out 
 of the room to recover himfelf; and ye- 
 fterday he faw the foreign Minifters and 
 his horfes, which 1 remember Dean 
 Swift gives a great character of j and 
 
 was
 
 ( 39 ) 
 
 was forry to leave them for the conver- 
 fation of his countrymen in England, 
 and I think he was much in the right ; 
 for his Majefty preferred them after the 
 women of the Queen's family. 
 
 1737-8. The King is in fo very ill a 
 ftate of health that he may not live long. 
 And though he is certainly extremely de- 
 je&ed by the great lofs he has made, [the 
 death of the Queen], I don't think that 
 is all ; for a heart is a long time a-break- 
 ing; and I have known very few inftances 
 of dying from the paflion of love. But 
 people of judgement fay, that there is a 
 vaft change in his conftitution, and that 
 he is certainly very ill, and fo much 
 changed in his manner, that he does 
 every thing he. is dcfired, and figns what 
 is brought him, without inquiring into 
 it. 
 
 1738. A Lady that keeps very good 
 company told me that his Majefty was 
 now fo much better, that he entertain- 
 ed
 
 ( 40 ) 
 
 cd himfelf with playing with favourites 
 in a private way as formerly. I did not 
 hear what the game was, but it was 
 cards, and fome queens were dealt to 
 the King, which renewed his trouble fo 
 much, and put him into fo great a dif- 
 order, that the Princefs Amelia imme- 
 diately ordered all the queens to be ta- 
 ken out of the pack. 
 
 GUSTAVUS VASA ; a Tragedy. 
 
 1738-9. Prologue has I think fomc 
 lines good in it. The Duke of Grafton 
 did not fee the prologue, but refufed to 
 licenfe the play, and faid, they muft 
 write plays upon fuch fubjects as The 
 Orphan. I have read the play in ma- 
 nufcript, which is thought by judges to 
 be a very good one. The ftory is not 
 at all applicable to our prefent times, 
 but of a King of Sweden, and Jias no- 
 thing
 
 ( 41 > 
 
 thing in it but characters of virtuous 
 people, and fpeaking on the fide of li* 
 berty, which is now a great offence *. 
 
 LORD HARRINGTON. 
 
 1737. LORD HARRINGTON, an evi- 
 dence againft the Prince voluntarily, for 
 he did not bring any mefiage; and it is 
 plain that he and Sir Robert came to fee 
 what they could draw out of the Prince, 
 by their going immediately from him, 
 to my Lord Harrington's lodgings, to 
 write down all he had faid. However, 
 as he is a man that has affe&ed a great 
 
 * The Duchefs, though generally dogma- 
 tical enough, does not praife Mr Brookes's 
 Tragedy ; (he only fays, that " it is thought 
 " by judges to be a very good one." The 
 author, after having appeared in various cha- 
 rafters, terminated his literary career with 
 The Fool of Quality ; a romance fraught with 
 unparallelled abfurdities. 
 
 ' E deal
 
 ( 4 ) 
 
 4eal of civility between man and man, 
 he, it is faid, has vexed himfelf fick up- 
 on it ; and for excufe fays, he did not 
 know it was to be printed. But I don't 
 fee that a fufficient excufe ; and if it 
 was done without his knowledge and 
 confent, he might have done fomething 
 to have taken off the odium of being an 
 evidence ; but 1 believe not without lo- 
 fing his places, which is not to be ex- 
 pedted from a man who has done fo 
 much dirty work as to rife fo fafl with- 
 out any great parts. 
 
 LORD HERVEY. 
 
 1737. LORD HERVEY is at this time 
 always with the King in vaft favour. 
 He has certainty parts and wit, but is 
 the mod wretched, profligate man that 
 ever was born, befidcs ridiculous ; a 
 painted face, and not a tooth in his 
 
 head
 
 ( 43 ) 
 
 head * . And it is not above fix months - 
 ago that the King hated him fo, that he 
 would not fuffer him to be one in his dU 
 verfions at play. I think 'tis pofliblc- 
 that Sir Robert Walpole may make 
 fome ufe of him at firft, and perhaps the 
 
 other 
 
 * Lord Hervey, having felt fome attacks 
 of the epilepfy, entered upon and periifted in 
 a -very ftrift regimen, and thus Itopt the pro- 
 grefs and prevented the effects of that dreadful 
 difeafe. His daily food was a fmall quantity 
 of afles milk and a flour bifcuit : once a-week 
 he indulged himfelf with eating an apple : he 
 ufed emetics daily. Mr Pope and he were 
 once friends ; but they quarrelled, and perfe- 
 cuted each other with virulent fatire. Pope, 
 knowing the abftemious regimen which Lord 
 Hervey obferved, was fo ungenerous as to call 
 him " a mere cheefe-curd of afles milk.*' Lord 
 Hervey ufed paint to foften his ghaftly appear- 
 ance. Mr Pope niuft have known this alfo, and 
 therefore it was unpardonable in him to intro- 
 duce it into his celebrated portrait. That fa- 
 tirill had the art of laying hold on detached- 
 F 2 circumftances,
 
 ( 44 ) 
 
 =cther may have vanity enough to ima- 
 gine that he may work himfelf up to be 
 a great man ; but that is too mad I 
 think to be ever effected, becaufe all the 
 world, except Sir Robert, abhors him; 
 and, notwithstanding all the mifchiefs 
 Sir Robert has done the nation, and 
 myfelf in particular, which generally 
 people refent in the firft place, 1 had 
 much rather he mould continue in power 
 than my Lord Hervey. 
 
 circumftances, and of applying them to his 
 purpofe, without much regard for hiftorical ac- 
 curacy. Thus, to his Hemiftic, " Endow a 
 college or a cat," he adds this note, that " a 
 *' Duchefs of Richmond left annuities to her 
 " cats." The Lady, as to whom he feems fo 
 uncertain, was La Belle Stuart of the Comte 
 de Grammont. She left annuities to certain 
 female friends, with the burden of maintaining 
 fome of her cats ; a delicate way of providing 
 for poor, and, probably, proud gentlewomen, 
 without making them feel that they owed their, 
 livelihood to her mere liberality. 
 
 RE-
 
 ( 45 ) 
 
 DEDUCTION of INTEREST. 
 
 1737. The bill to reduce the intereft 
 yet lower on the mortgages to the go- 
 vernment thrown out. Though I am 
 very fure that Mr Robert at firit intend- 
 ed it mould pafs, and though he fpoke 
 two hours upon it, no body could pro- 
 voke him to give any reafon againft its 
 palling, further than that the bill was 
 not well drawn, &c. And I find every 
 body is of opinion, that it will pafs next 
 feffions ; and that one confiderable rea- 
 fon why it is deferred, is becaufe the 
 Q^ herfelf has at lead a million of mo- 
 ney in that fund : and I don't doubt but 
 rfiere is another [whoj has a great deal 
 more ; fo that there muft be time given 
 for them and others to fell out. And 
 the flock did immediately rife on the 
 bill's dropping z\ per cent, and how 
 
 much
 
 much higher it will rife no body can 
 tell : but this is certain, that the people 
 who have but little will be ftarved ; for 
 when they are frightened, which will be 
 once or twice a year, they fell as foon 
 as the ftock begins to tumble, and then 
 when the government pays them in 
 fcraps, they buy at a higher rate to get 
 a little interefl to live. And at the fame 
 time that they [the MiniftersJ will take 
 half the intereft money from the credi- 
 tors, both rich and poor, under a pre- 
 tence of paying the debt of the nation, 
 I believe that it encreafes every day. 
 All the patriots who are vehement in 
 this fcheme of reducing the intereft to 
 3 per cent, few of them I believe have 
 any money ; but what their reafons are 
 for joining in a thing which was certainly 
 firft fet on foot by the Miniftry, is a fe- 
 cret that I have not been let into ; nor 
 can I of myfelf comprehend why they 
 would be fo eager to take away ^ of 
 
 what
 
 ( 47 ) 
 
 what money every body has, when it is 
 plain they have not ftrength enough to- 
 obtain any account of thofc many mil- 
 lions which have been given by the pu- 
 blic, nor any account of what they were 
 fo unjuftly purfuing. So far from that,. 
 Sir Robert has declared, in fome of the 
 debates, that no taxes ihall be taken off 5 
 and if he had not done fo, it would 
 have been juft the fame thing to me ; 
 for 1 am fure they will raife taxes as long 
 as there is any money left in the king- 
 dom. 
 
 1737. Sir Robert has declared, that 
 the taxes ihall not be taken off"; and had 
 he faid otherwife, that would have been 
 no fecurity from one who can put them 
 on when he pleafes, as he did in the 
 fait- tax, and one year after brought it 
 on again, and mortgaged it for eleven 
 yeat s to come. But when he has taken 
 ^ of what the proprietors have left, they 
 have no way of helping themfelves. I 
 
 cannot
 
 ( 48 ) 
 
 cannot fee how the general ruin which 
 threatens the nation can be helped, by 
 taking fo great a fum from the proprie- 
 tors, to put it in the power of Sir Ro- 
 bert, or any fubjecl: who may happen to- 
 be matter. It is certain that the bill 
 for the further reduction of intereft will 
 pafs next feffions, and that it had pafled 
 this, if it had not been to give time for 
 feveral confiderable people to get their 
 money out of the flocks before the inte- 
 reft is reduced. This all the patriots 
 knew, and yet they would have joined 
 to have taken more money from the 
 people, at the fame time that they faw 
 they had not ftrength enough to carry 
 one vote in any thing Sir Robert oppo- 
 fes. A\nd therefore, though I natural- 
 ly love patriots, I cannot find any good 
 reafon for what they have done ; and L 
 do think that ^ of what is left was better 
 and more juft to have been left in the 
 people's own hands as long as it could. . 
 
 From
 
 ( 49 ) 
 
 From the beginning of the reduction of 
 the intereft I lent fuch fums to the go- 
 vernment as reduced the. intereft from 
 6 per cent, to 4 per 'cent.-, thinking it 
 would have had a good effecl for the fe- 
 curity of the nation ; and at that time 
 he could not have compafled fuch fums 
 without me *. But he has returned 
 this with letting me know, that he will 
 take no more of the tnift-money upon 
 the land tax or. malt, though it is but at 
 3 per cent. ; and even that favour, 
 though it is not a great one, he will do 
 for every body but our family. The 
 nation could not be made fafe from gi- 
 ving more money into the power of Mi- 
 nifters; and when any difturbance or in- 
 vafion happens, the fubject muft give 
 money to defend the country, for the 
 
 * This difplays the inj.uftice of that famous 
 fatirical paflage in Pope, 
 
 JBut not like Marlborougbs t at 5. per cent. 
 
 G debts
 
 C 5 ) 
 
 debts will always continue at leail as 
 great as they are. 
 
 1737. The public requires the inte- 
 reft being reduced; and I mould be as 
 willing to give my vote for any thing 
 that concerned the good of the nation as 
 any man living ;. but as long as Sir Ro- 
 bert is Minifter r the patriots cannot pof- 
 fibly apply any money for the good of 
 the public, nor will he ever leflen any 
 taxes. 
 
 IMPROVEMENT of LAND* 
 
 1736. No improvement of land, which; 
 I ever aimed at, has ever turned to bet- 
 ter account than if one had purchafed 
 ib much more new land to the old. 
 
 1737. I have very little opinion of 
 improvements; more than to believe 
 fomething is to be favcd by a man's 
 looking after his flewards and bailiffs, 
 prevent, as much as they can, abufes. 
 
 PUR-
 
 PURCHASE of LAND. 
 
 1737-8. 'Have made a great purchafe, 
 thinking one may have a little from land 
 for fome-ttme, whatever happens, >for 
 even I may live to fee an end of all one's 
 fiipport from public funds. 
 
 1738. From fear of a fponge I have 
 fold my flocks low, and bought land 
 dear, which ^1 did becaufe I thought that 
 would hold longed. From my having 
 Gver-purehafed'inyfelf, I muft very foon 
 take up money and pay interefl for it. 
 
 1739. In the city to bid for Lord 
 Yarmouth's eflate, which I believe I 
 ftall have, and I do think it neceffary 
 to do it, becaufe land will be the laft 
 thing that will be taken from us, and I 
 expect, a little fooner or later, a fponge, 
 which will put an end to all flocks and 
 money lent to the government. 
 
 G 2 SJR
 
 SIR JOSEPH JEKYLL, 
 Mafter of the Rolls. 
 
 _ 
 
 1737-8. The Mafter of the Rolls was 
 oh the fide of the minority yefterday, 
 f 3d February], who has certainly done 
 a great deal of mifchief, though he is 
 called honeft*. But I have hardly known 
 him to fucceed, but when he is on the 
 wrong fide ; and yefterday he faid fome- 
 thing fo weak, that it made his friends 
 fmile, to the following effeft, gravely, 
 " that our hopes now was in .the Cza- 
 rina," who I think is a good way from 
 us, and likevvife from doing France any 
 hurt. 
 
 * He left the bulk of bis fortune to the 
 finking fund: that bequeft would, to a certain 
 extent, have faved the Duchefs's fortune from 
 
 KINGS.
 
 ( 53 ) 
 
 KINGS. 
 
 1737. "Were I a man, I freely own 
 that I would not venture any thing that 
 I could avoid for any King that I know, 
 or that I have heard of*. 
 
 1737. As Princes are not the befl 
 judges of right and wrong, from the 
 flattery they are ufed to, not to fay worfe 
 of them, I think the befl thing for them, 
 and the whole nation, is not to let them 
 have power to hurt themfelves, or any 
 body elfe. - A gentleman of Sweden has 
 given me an account of the laws of that 
 country, which they now enjoy, but 
 they did not compafs it till the King or 
 Minifters had deftroyed that country, 
 
 * It is to be fuppofcd, that the Duchefs 
 meant male Kings ; for furely fhe would have 
 done fomething for a female King, herfelf 
 being " Viceroy over her." 
 
 and
 
 t 54 ) 
 
 and made them exceffive poor. I heart- 
 ily wifti that may not be our cafe, or 
 worfe. 
 
 1737. 1 am of the opinion, from woful 
 experience, that from flattery or want 
 of underftanding, mod Princes are a- 
 like ; and therefore it is to no purpofe 
 to argue againft: their paffions, but to 
 defend ourfelves at all events againft 
 them. This makes me think of the 
 Caftile oath, " We, that are as good as 
 " yourfelf, and more powerful, chofe 
 " you to be our King, upon fuch con- 
 " ditions ;" and concludes with what 
 is moft juft and proper. 
 
 LIBERTY. 
 
 1737-8. I am, and (hall ever be, of 
 the opinion, that nothing is fo much 
 worth ftruggling for as liberty ; and I 
 have given dcmonflration, that in all 
 
 times
 
 ( 55 ) 
 
 times I have done every thing , in my 
 poor power that could contribute to* 
 wards that happy condition ; and I will 
 continue to do fo as long as I live. But, 
 alas ! what can it fignify, the endeavours 
 of an old woman. 
 
 LIFE and DEATH. 
 
 1737. I am a perfect cripple, and 
 cannot poflibly hold out long : and as I 
 have little enjoyment of my life, I ana 
 very indifferent about it. 
 
 1737. It is impoflible that one of my 
 age and infirmities can live long : and 
 one great happinefs there is in death, 
 that one mail never hear any more of a- 
 ay thing they do in this world.
 
 1737, " When I confider life, 'tis all a cheat, 
 " Yet, fooled with hope, men favour the deceit ; 
 " Truft on, and think to-morow will repay ; 
 "To-morrow's falfer than the former day, 
 " Lies more, and when it fays we mall be bleft 
 " With fome new joy, cuts off what we pofTeft. 
 ** Strange cozenage ! none would live paft years 
 
 " Yet all hope pleafure in what ftill remain, 
 " And from the dregs of life think to receive 
 " What the frefh fprightly running could not 
 
 " give. 
 
 " I'm tired with waiting for this chemic gold, 
 " Which fools us young, and beggars us when 
 
 old." 
 
 Verfes of Dryden, which 1 think very- 
 pretty, and which moft people have felt 
 the truth of. 
 
 .1737-8. I think one can't leave the 
 world in a better time than now, when 
 there is no fuch thing as real friend (hip, 
 truth, juftice, honour, or indeed any 
 thing that is agreeable in life. 
 
 1738-9. I am fo weary of life that I 
 don't care how foon the flroke is given 
 
 to
 
 ) 
 
 to me, which I only wifii may be with 
 as little pain as is poflible. 
 
 1739. As to my own particular, I 
 have nothing to reproach myfelf with.? 
 and I think it very improbable that I 
 fhould live to fuffer what others will do, 
 who have contributed to the ruin of 
 their country : and when I am dead I 
 mall hear nothing of it, nor have the 
 uneafmefs, when I die, of parting with 
 any thing that gives me much pleafure. 
 I have always thought that the greatefl 
 happinefs of life was to love and value 
 fome body extremely that returned it, 
 and to fee them often ; and if one has 
 an eafy fortune^ that is what makes one's 
 life pafs away agreeably. But, alas ! 
 there is fuch a change in the world fince 
 J knew it firft, that, though one's na- 
 tural pleafure is to love people, the ge- 
 nerality of the world are in fomething 
 or other fo difagreeable, that 'tis impof- 
 fible to do it.: and, added to this, I am 
 H a
 
 a cripple, lifted about like a child, and 
 very feldom free from pain. 
 
 1740-1. As I have feen fo much of a 
 very bad world, I muft own I have no 
 tafte left, but to have what is juft ne- 
 ceflary to fupport myfelf and thofe that I 
 am obliged to take care of, which are a 
 great many. 
 
 DUKE of MONTAGUE. 
 
 1740. All his talents lie in things on- 
 ly natural in boys of fifteen years old, 
 and he is about two and fifty ; to get 
 people into his garden and wet them 
 with fquirts, and to invite people to his 
 country houfes, and put things into their 
 beds to make them itch, and twenty 
 fuch pretty fancies like thefe *. 
 
 * He had other pretty fancies, not mention- 
 ed in the memoranda, of his mother-in-law : he 
 
 did
 
 ( 59 ) 
 
 1 74 1" 2 - He has a great eftate, and 
 is matter of the grand wardrobe, part 
 of my daughter's portion, which I got 
 him for life*, and which I was aflured 
 by a very understanding man, he would 
 farm of him, and give him L. 8000 a- 
 year. He is not a man that has any de- 
 mand on account of fervices done by fea 
 or land f . 
 
 did good without oftentation. His vaj} bene- 
 volence of foul is not recorded by Pope ; but it 
 will be remembered while there is any tradi- 
 tion of human kindnefs and charity in Eng- 
 land. 
 
 * What would the Duchefs of Marlborough 
 have faid of Sir Robert Walpole, had he made 
 a like boaft ? 
 
 f The Duchefs forge -.s that he ferved, at 
 an early age, under the Duke of Marlbo- 
 rough ; and that, during a peace of thirty- 
 years, he could not have made any more cam- 
 paigns. 
 
 H 2 Mo-
 
 Motion againft SIR ROBERT WALPOLE. 
 
 1740-1. Both parties find fault with, 
 each other : and for my own part, I be- 
 lieve them both to blame in many 
 things; but furely the Tories are the 
 worft, and have always done the mod 
 mifchief. I believe there is many knaves 
 amongft them, but 'tis certain the ma- 
 jority of them are fools ; and the princi- 
 ples that they profefs are both foolilh 
 and falfe. Many of the Whigs muft be 
 allowed to have fenfe, and much more 
 capable of managing a government than 
 Tories. But the majority of them are 
 knaves, and they have mown, when 
 they are in- employment, that their chief 
 aim is to keep their places, and raiib 
 themfelves without any regard to the 
 
 good
 
 good of the public, Thofe in the op- 
 pofition did not imagine that they could 
 carry the queftion in two fuch Houfes, 
 without the promife from the Tories that 
 they would join them, which they had ; 
 and if they had performed, as they af- 
 fured them they would, they would cer- 
 tainly have been as near carrying what 
 they defired as in the excife-bill, which 
 frighted Sir Robert fo much that he 
 durft not ftand it. For 'tis certain, that, 
 notwithstanding thefe promifes, more 
 than a hundred voted for the Minifter, 
 and a great number went off with Mr 
 Shippen, who, fome fufpecl:, has taken 
 money. Upon the whole matter, every 
 thing was extremely ill managed in the 
 Houfe of Commons : but in the Houfe 
 of Lords much better : and it is certain 
 that my Lord Carteret did fpeak two 
 hours as well as any man in the world 
 could fpeak, but all in vain : and though 
 I think the minority there was not lef- 
 
 fened,
 
 fened, the majority was but little en- 
 creafed The town is now full of dif- 
 courfe upon thefe matters, and different 
 opinions they have. Some of the To- 
 ries pretend to be afnamed of what they 
 have done. Sir John Hinde Cotton, 
 and Watkins Williams, and Lord Noel 
 Sorrerftt, votid, according to their pro- 
 mife, with the minority. I know none 
 of them but Sir John Hinde Cotton, 
 who, though they call him a Jacobite, 
 I think he has too great an eflate, and 
 too much fenfe, really to be for a Popifh 
 government. But, as he happened to 
 be always of the Tory fide, 1 fuppofe he 
 thought he mould make a better figure 
 in being the head of a party than in lea- 
 ving it. 
 
 CHAM-
 
 CHAMBER-ORGAN. 
 
 1737. I am now in purfuit of getting 
 the fined piece of mafic that ever was 
 heard ; it is a thing that will play eight 
 tunes. Handel and all the great mufi- 
 cians fay that it is beyond any thing they 
 can do ; and this may be performed by 
 the mod ignorant perfon ; and when 
 you are weary of thofe eight tunes, you 
 may have them changed for any other 
 that you like. This 1 think much bet- 
 ter than going to an Italian opera, or an 
 afiembly. This performance has been 
 lately put into a lottery, and all the 
 Royal Family chofe to have a great ma- 
 ny tickets, rather than to buy it, the 
 price being I think L. 1000, infinitely 
 -a lefs fum than fome Bimopricks have 
 been fold for. And a gentleman won it 
 who I am in hopes will fell it, and if 
 
 he
 
 ( 64 ) 
 
 he will, I will buy it, for I cannot live 
 to have another made, and I will carry 
 it into the country with me. 
 
 PATRIOTS, 
 
 1737-8. I think great things might 
 ftill be done with honeft hearts and good 
 heads ; but the demand is much too 
 high, at leaft I can find very few that 
 have either good heads or hearts. Some 
 there are I believe of both forts ; but 
 much the greateft number are thofe that 
 are called men of underftanding, and 
 are fo blinded with fome 4ow, prefent 
 view for themfelves, or fear, that they 
 will not be of any good ufe. 
 
 1738. I think that all the people in 
 places, and thofe of the patriots that 
 have a mind to have them, will keep 
 and get all the employments they can 
 
 to
 
 ( <s ) 
 
 to the laft moment, without any regard 
 to what may happen to England. 
 
 1738. I believe that, befides the 
 great majority by Sir Robert's corrup- 
 tion, there is a majority likewife in the 
 minority, who have fo long pretended to 
 be concerned for the fafety of their 
 country, who really mean nothing but 
 to make fome bargain for themfelves. 
 
 1739. I think every thing mould be 
 done that can be legally done to fave 
 this finking nation : and I really believe 
 'tis intended by the generality of the mi- 
 nority ; but I do not believe they all 
 mean the fame thing, which is a great 
 difad vantage. 
 
 1739. I don't find that any body 
 thinks 'tis poffible for any good to be 
 done this fefiions. Every body that mould 
 act dort't mean the fame thing. Some 
 are influenced wholly by bribes ; others 
 have views which they cover : and, up- 
 on the whole, I think that Sir Robert 
 
 I will
 
 ( 66 ) 
 
 tyill die in power : and after that, what 
 the next Minifter will do I can't tell ; but 
 I believe 'twill be like the horfe full of 
 flies, which the rider would not have 
 brufhed oft", becaufe an empty fwarm 
 would come to fuck him. 
 
 1739-40. A great man in the oppofi- 
 tion has brought his own relation into a 
 place where he could have chofe my 
 footman, and one who has employments, 
 and never did nor ever will give a vote 
 againft the court. 1 think it is fliame- 
 ful to talk againft placemen, and to 
 chufe one one's own felf at the fame 
 time. He (hould rather have made his 
 relation quit the court, and have paid 
 him with his own money for it. And it 
 appears to me very ill-judged to cry out 
 upon penfions, and at the fame time 
 bring one [a penfioner] into Parliament. 
 Brutus put his own fons to death, which 
 was terrible, becaufe they were in a plot 
 with others to deftroy the government : . 
 
 but
 
 but it would have been worfe to have 
 faved his fons for the fame crime that 
 their companions were executed for. 
 
 1740. As there are but few on the 
 other fide [the cppofitionj that have 
 either true honefty, fenfe, or refoluticn, 
 I think we have very little to hope. 
 
 1 740. Some of thofe people who call 
 themfelves patriots, are certainly very 
 good men; but I am very fure the 
 whole party don't mean the fame thing. 
 They don't all go in a ftraight line to 
 purfue fleadily the right points ; but 
 they act coolly, fometimes one way and 
 fometimes another, as they think it will 
 turn mod to what they fecretly have 
 in view, fome to keep places they are 
 in pofleffion of, and others to get into 
 them. 
 
 I 2 Po-
 
 ( 7 ) 
 
 PLAN for the ESTABLISHMENT 
 of a MINISTRY. 
 
 1737. There is nothing more plain ta 
 me, than that there is an opportunity to 
 put a flop to any more mifchicf, and in 
 time England might flourifh again. But 
 this, I think, depends on refolution, 
 good fenfe, and honefty, of which, I 
 fear, there is very little. 1 am nothing 
 but an ignorant old woman, but I have 
 feen a great deal of courts : And I do 
 really think, that, without having any 
 of the old Roman virtue, it is wifer for 
 any great man not to be a Premier Mi- 
 nifter, which, if we mould ever happen 
 to have a weak or an ill King, mud lead 
 a terrible life, befides being very infe- 
 cure ; and confequently, it would be 
 beft for a king as well as the nation, 
 and every body that has any property, 
 
 or
 
 or love to their pofterity, to have all 
 things done in council without a Pre- 
 mier Minifter, which 1 have often heard 
 is the law *. In that cafe many great 
 officers would be anfwerable for what 
 they did. They might live eafily, do 
 their country fervice, and their King. 
 And as vacancies happened, others, as 
 far as the nation would furnifh, might 
 take their places in fucceffion. This has 
 always been a notion of mine, for which 
 I have been often laughed at. How- 
 ever, if I were a man, I would try what 
 
 * Yet the Duchefs knew, that under her 
 own adminiftration " all things were not done 
 *' in council." The fyftem which, as (he had 
 often heard, was the law, is a fpecious but 
 vain theory. How could her " great officers 
 " be anf\verablc for what they did?" If no one 
 of them had influence over the others, each 
 man could only be anfwerable for his own 
 vote ; and if any one had influence over the 
 others, then there would be a Premier without 
 perfonal refponfibility. 
 
 refolution,
 
 C 7* ) 
 
 refolut'on, reafon, and honefty would 
 do, whatever it coft me ; fuppofmg 
 that a man has no love to his country, 
 nor care of his pofterity, if we go on 
 as we have done with Premier Mini- 
 fters, if he has any property, mud it not 
 all be loft in a few years, and every 
 body reduced to ilavery ? 
 
 LORD POLWARTH and his Brother. 
 
 1738. I have heard fome fay ["they] 
 are too warm ; but I own I love .thofe 
 that are fo *, and never faw much good 
 in thofe that are not. 
 
 * She means thofe who are faid to be toe 
 warm. 
 
 Ro-
 
 C n > 
 
 ROMAN CATHOLICS. 
 
 1737-8. I am acquainted with fome 
 Jacobites, and I have 'fome relations that 
 are Roman Catholics. Though they are 
 fimple people, their party love them for 
 their zeal ; and they do tell one another 
 what they know, and I find they are all 
 in extreme hopes at this time : and one 
 of them faid lately to me, very fimply, 
 that there was come over a bill lately 
 from Ireland, that was an additional 
 cruelty to the Roman Catholics ; that 
 their friends ufed the fame endeavours to 
 Sir Robert to have it ftopt, notwith- 
 ftanding which, the council here pafied 
 it immediately. I afked 'em ivho were 
 the people that ufed to obtain favour of 
 Sir Robert in fuch things ? they faid, 
 the French, Spanifh, and Emperor's 
 ambafiadors had often prevailed with 
 K Sir
 
 < 74 ) 
 
 Sir Robert on fuch occafions ; and, 
 though he would not defift on an am- 
 bafiadorVfpeaking, they ftill hope, when 
 Cardinal Fleury and others from France 
 could write, it might ftill be flopped in 
 Ireland. This looks as if Sir Robert 
 was more cautious than he has been for- 
 merly in taking advice from our ene- 
 mies. Though I think, his wifdom is a 
 little too late, after joining thofe three 
 great powers in an interefl againfl Eng- 
 land. 
 
 CARDINAL D2 RETZ. 
 
 1739. His hiftory is entertaining, be- 
 caufe he has wit and fenfe ; notwith- 
 ftanding which, I mufl confefs I don't 
 like him much. For, if I were a man, 
 I would not rebel, to have the greateft 
 employment any Prince could give me. 
 <But if any tyrant broke the laws, and 
 
 obliged
 
 ( 75 ) 
 
 obliged me to draw the fword, I would 
 never trim nor (heath it till juflice was 
 done to my country. I find in this hi- 
 ftory, that the Parliament and people 
 without doors cryed out violently, " No 
 peace,, no Mazarine :" and yet, in the 
 conclusion, Mazarine got the better, and 
 enilaved France. And by the defcrip- 
 tion de Retz makes us of the Nobles, 
 their taking bribes, being very fimple, 
 and wholly bent on private interefl, 
 they referable very much our Houfe of 
 Lords. 
 
 EARL of SCARBOROUGH. 
 
 1738-9. LORD SCARBOROUGH vo- 
 ted with the minority, and fpoke, [on 
 the convention with Spain], though he 
 has fomething fo very particular, that I 
 can't be fure he will go on, for he is al- 
 ways fplitting a ha'rr ; but there is now, 
 I think, no hair to fplit. 
 
 K 2 SE-
 
 < 74 ) 
 
 Sir Robert on fuch occafions ; and, 
 though he would not defift on an am- 
 baffadorVfpeaking, they fill! hope, when 
 Cardinal Fleury and others from France 
 could write, it might flill be flopped in 
 Ireland. This looks as if Sir Robert 
 was more cautious than he has been for- 
 merly in taking advice from our ene- 
 mies. Though I think, his wifdom is a 
 little too late, after joining thofe three 
 great powers in an interefl againft Eng- 
 land. 
 
 CARDINAL DE RETZ. 
 
 1739. His hiftory is entertaining, be- 
 caufe he has wit and fenfe ; notwith- 
 itanding which, I muft confefs I don't 
 like him much. For, if I were a man, 
 I would not rebel, to have the greateft 
 employment any Prince could give me. 
 <But if any tyrant broke the laws, and 
 
 obliged
 
 ( 75 ) 
 
 obliged me to draw the fword, I would 
 never trim nor (heath it till juflice was 
 done to my country. I find in this hi- 
 ftory, that the Parliament and people 
 without doors cryed out violently, " No 
 peace,- no Mazarine :" and yet, in the 
 conclufion, Mazarine got the better, and 
 enflaved France. And by the defcrip- 
 tion de Retz makes us of the Nobles, 
 their taking bribes, being very fimple, 
 and wholly bent on private interefl, 
 they refemble very much our Houfe of 
 Lords. 
 
 EARL of SCARBOROUGH. 
 
 1738-9. LORD SCARBOROUGH vo- 
 ted with the minority, and fpoke, [on 
 the convention with Spain], though he 
 has fomething fo very particular, that I 
 can't be fure he will go on, for he is al- 
 ways fplitting a hah: ; but there is now, 
 1 think, no hair to fplit. 
 
 K-2 SE-
 
 S ECES. SI1ON 
 
 from the Houfe of Commons. 
 
 1,738-9. Minority's refolution of not 
 going to Parliament, where the corrup- 
 tion hinders them from doing any good, 
 nnlefs on private bills. Majority feern 
 difiatisfied : but there is no judgement 
 to be made of what will follow from it, 
 fince the fame meat will always do as Sir 
 Robert finds proper to direct them. 
 And, perhaps, he may pafs every thing 
 that he pleafes, and keep all the money 
 raifed from the public, for himfelf and 
 his brother. 
 
 1739. I find fome people don't like 
 the minority's abfenting themfelves from 
 the Houfe. A great number continue 
 to do it. I am not acquainted with 
 them ; but there are three that 1 think 
 have fenfe, and are men of good cha- 
 racter,
 
 C, 77 ) 
 
 rafter, which are, my Lord Cornbury, 
 Mr Plumer, and Sir John Barnard, who 
 continue dill to go. Whether the refo- 
 lution will do good or no, I am not able 
 to judge ; but I think there is nothing 
 more plain than that their going to the 
 Houfe can do no good againft fo much 
 folly and corruption ; and therefore I 
 imagine that their leaving the Parliament 
 is to mew the world that they do not 
 join with it. And, perhaps, they may 
 think that Sir Robert won't dare pafs 
 fome acts with but little more than half 
 the number : I wifli it may be fo. But 
 I think he will ufe the nation as ill as the 
 Spaniards did the feamen, rather than 
 not compafs every thing he has a mind 
 to. 
 
 CHARLES
 
 CHARLES EARL of SUNDERLANH. 
 
 1738. The EARL of SUNDERLAND, 
 it was thought, would be a fool at two 
 and twenty: But afterwards, from the 
 favour of a weak Prince, he was cried 
 up for having parts, though 'tis certain 
 he had not much in him*. 
 
 * The Duchefs forgot that he held a dif- 
 tinguifhed office, together with the Marquis 
 of Wharton, in "the moft honeft and beft in- 
 tentioned Miniftry that ever fhe knew." See 
 article Swiff. And that, if the Earl of Sun- 
 derland had the favour of Jo weak a Prince as 
 George I. he had aHb the favour of Queen 
 Anne.
 
 t 79 ) 
 
 SWIFT. 
 
 1736. DEAN SWIFT gives the moft 
 exact account of Kings, Minifters, Bi- 
 fhops, and the Courts of Juftice, that is 
 poffible to be writ. He has certainly a 
 vaft deal of wit ; and fmce he could con- 
 tribute fo much to the pulling down the 
 moft honeft and befl intentioned Mini- 
 flry that ever 1 knew, with the help on- 
 ly of Abigail, and one or two more ; 
 and has certainly ftopt the finiming 
 ftroke to ruin the Irifh in the project of 
 'the halfpence, .in fpite of all the Miniftry 
 could do ; I could not [cannot] help 
 wifhing, that we had had his aiTiftance 
 in the oppofition ; for I could eafily 
 forgive him all the flaps he has given me 
 and the Duke of Marlborough, and have 
 thanked him heartily, whenever he 
 .would pJeafe to do good. I never faw 
 
 him
 
 him in my life ; and though his writings 
 have entertained me very much, yet I 
 fee he writes fotnetimes for intereft : For 
 in his books he gives my Lord Oxford 
 as great a character as if he was fpeak- 
 ing of Socrates or Marcus Antoninus. 
 But, when I am dead, the reverfe of 
 that character will come out, with 
 vouchers to it, under his own hand. 
 
 1736. The ftyle of the Lords addrefs 
 puts me in mind of Dean Swift's ac- 
 count, who I am prodigioufly fond of, 
 which he gives of the manner in which 
 he was introduced to the King of Lugg- 
 nagg. 
 
 1736. I moft heartily wiih, that in 
 this park I had fome of the breed of 
 thofe charming creatures Swift fpeaks 
 of, and calls the Houyhnhmms, which 
 I underftand to be horfes, fo extremely 
 polite, and which had all manner of 
 good converfation, good principles, and 
 that never told a lie, and charmed him 
 
 fo,
 
 fo, that he could not endure his own 
 country when he returned. He fays 
 there is a fort of creature there called 
 Taboos, and of the fame fpecies with us, 
 only a good deal uglier; but they are 
 kept tied up ; and by that glorious crea- 
 ture the horfes are not permitted to do 
 any mifchief. I really have not been 
 pleafed fo much a long time as with- 
 what he writes *. 
 
 Tow>f 
 
 * I met lately with the following paflage in 
 an anonymous writer, which may ferve as a 
 contraft to the review of Swift, drawn by the 
 Duchefs Dowager of Marlborough. " The 
 religious author of The Tale of a Tub will 
 tell you, religim is but a refervoir of fools 
 and madmen ; and the virtuous La'mul 
 Gulliver will anfwer for ihejtate, that it is a 
 den of favages and cut-throats. Let it be 
 as they fay, that ridicule and fatire are the 
 fupplement of public laws ; fhould not then 
 the ends of both be the fame, the benefit of 1 
 mankind? But ' luhere is the fenfe of a ge- 
 neral fatire, if the whole fpecies be degene- 
 * rated ? and -where is the juftice of it, if if 
 L "be
 
 TOWN and COUNTRY. 
 
 1736. One of my chief pleafures is, 
 that after fuch an hour in this place 
 
 [Windfor 
 
 " be not ? The punifhment of lunatics is as 
 41 wife as the one, and a general execution as 
 " honeft as the other : in fhort, a general fa- 
 *' tire [is] the work only of ill men or little 
 " geniufes. The immortal Socrates employed 
 " his wit to better purpofe ; his vein was rich, 
 " but frugal ; he thought the laugh came too 
 " dear when bought at the expence of probi- 
 " ty ; and therefore laid it all out in the im- 
 " provement and reform of manners. But, 
 " not to be partial to antiquity, it muft be 
 " owned, that even then, for one Socrates to 
 " reform, it had a Demc,critus to fneer, a Dio> 
 " genes to fnarl, nay, even an Heraclitus to 
 " weep at human obliquity. So much eafter 
 " has it always been to invent a falfe philofo- 
 " phy on the credit of a prevailing paffion, 
 " than to ufe even the firft principles of rea- 
 " fon, to curb and reftrain it. And here 'tis 
 " well worth obferving, that he, of all thofe 
 " whom the world treated moft feverely, was 
 " the Reformer ; as he who moft grofsly abu- 
 *' fed his reafon, even to the arguing againft 
 " geometrical
 
 fWindfor lodge] I am Cure I can fee no 
 body : at Marlborough houfe it is very 
 different ; for there are many vifitors, 
 though few that have any fenfe, or that 
 
 " geometrical demonftrations, was the Scof- 
 " fer. Again, at the revival of letters, a fe- 
 *' cond Socrates arofe in Erafmtts, a Democri- 
 " tus in Rabelais* and a Diogenes in Peter A- 
 " retin. And again, the well- directed raille- 
 " ry of the Great Reformer drew down againft 
 " its author move enemies than did all the 
 " filth, fcurrility, and impieties of the Buffoon 
 " and Cjnic." A Critical and Philofopkical 
 Inquiry into the caufes of Prodigies and Mira- 
 cles, as related by biftorians. p. 32. 34- 
 {[Printed at London, 1727. lamo.J 
 
 It is a pity that the Duchefs did not be- 
 come acquainted at ajnore early feafon of life 
 with the mifanthropy of the Dean, for then a 
 perfeft reconciliation might have taken place 
 between them, on principles common to both. 
 That which furprifes me moft in the Dean's 
 work, is his forgetting himfelffo much, in his 
 kajle, as to leave religion out of the idsa of a 
 ptrfefi republic. Since he gave reafon to his 
 horfes, he might, confiftently enough, have 
 given them a little natural religion. 
 
 L 2 arc
 
 ( 84 ) 
 
 are capable of any friendfhip or truth, 
 I would dcfire no more pleafure than to 
 walk about my gardens and parks j but, 
 alas ! that is not permitted : for 'I am 
 generally wrapt up in flannel, and wheel- 
 ed up and down my rooms in a chair. 
 I cannot be very felicitous for life upon 
 fuch terms, when I- can only live to have 
 more fits of the gout. 
 
 1736. I never defign to fee Blenheim 
 again: in a lodge 1 have every thing 
 convenient, and without trouble. 
 
 1737. Came yefterday from Wimble- 
 ton. Though it flands high, it is upon 
 clay, an ill fod, very ,damp, and I be- 
 lieve an unhealthy place, which I mall 
 very feldom live in * ; and confequent- 
 ly I have thrown away a vaft fum of 
 money upon it to little purpofe. 
 
 * This has been written in a fit of good 
 fpirits. On the verge of fourfcore fhe deter- 
 mined to live very feldom at Wimbleton. 
 When fhe was a year younger fhe preferred .a 
 convenient lodge to a palace. 
 
 PRINCE
 
 ( 5 ) 
 
 PRINCE of WALES. 
 
 1736. A great buftle in the Houfes 
 of Parliament concerning the revenue 
 which the public pays to the King to 
 fupport the Prince of Wales. The Court 
 carried it by a majority of thirty, not 
 without the expence of a great deal of 
 money, and a mod fhameful proceed- 
 ing to threaten and fetch fick men out 
 of their beds to vote for fear of lofmg 
 their bread. But, notwithftanding this, 
 the minority for the Prince was 204; 
 and a great many other members who 
 would have been in it if they had been 
 in town. A great many charming 
 truths were faid on that fide : no juftice 
 or common fenfe was exprefled on the 
 other. The fpeakers on the majority 
 were, Sir Robert, Horace, Sir W. 
 :Yonge, .Pelham, and fomebody of. the 
 
 admiralty
 
 ( 86 ) 
 
 admiralty that I never heard of before. 
 I am confident that, though the Prince 
 loft the queftion, the Minifters were 
 mightily frighted, and not without rea- 
 ibn ; for it is a heavy weight 204, who 
 were certainly on the right fide of the 
 queftion And I am apt to think, that 
 men who have been fo bafe with eftates, 
 and fo mean as to a& againft the intereft 
 of their country, will grow very weary 
 of voting to ftarve the next heir to the 
 crown, fmce the generality of the ma- 
 jority has a view only to their own inte- 
 reft. And it is apprehended that the 
 King is in fo very bad a ftate of health, 
 that, though he has got over his iilnefs 
 fo far as fometimes to appear in public, 
 yet we fhall not be fo happy as to have 
 him live long : and every body that fees 
 him tells me that he looks at this time 
 extremely ill. The Prince in all this af- 
 fair has ihewn a great deal of fpirit and 
 feiife ; and the intolerable treatment 
 
 which
 
 ( 87 ) 
 
 which he has had for fo many years will 
 no doubt continue him to be very firm, 
 and to act right. Houfe of Lords. 
 Proxies and all but forty for the Prince, 
 and a majority of near three to one on 
 the other fide. No body furprifed at 
 that. I really think that they might 
 pafs an act there, if they pleafed, to 
 take away MAGNA CHARTA. J Tis faid, 
 they don't intend to turn out any body 
 in King's fervice who voted in this que- 
 flion for the Prince in either Houfe. If 
 they don't, I think that (hews fome 
 fear. I am never very fanguine, and 
 for a long time could not imagine which 
 way the liberties of England could be 
 faved. But I really do think now there 
 is a little glimmering of day-light. 
 
 1737. The Prince has gone to make 
 a vifit to my Lord Cobham, where my 
 Lord Chefterfield is, and fome others 
 that I think very good men. I believe 
 
 keeping
 
 C 8* ) 
 
 keeping that company won't be agreea- 
 ble to her Majefty. 
 
 1737. 1 much apprehend, that all his 
 good intentions will come too late to 
 fave us from deftruction : for virtue 
 without power is as ufelefs as power 
 without virtue is hurtful to us : but ftill 
 we muft hope on, and be contented with 
 what we can't help. 
 
 1737. There has been an extraordi- 
 nary quarrel at court*. The 31(1 of 
 laft month [July 1737] the Princefs fell 
 in labour. The King and Queen both 
 knew that me was to lie in at St James's, 
 where every thing was prepared. It 
 was her firft child, and fo little a way to 
 London that (lie thought it lefs hazard 
 to go immediately away from Hampton 
 Court to London, where me had all the 
 affiftance that could be, and every thing. 
 
 * What follows is probably a miKute, 
 drawn up- from what the Duchefs heard in the 
 Prince's family. 
 
 prepared.
 
 ( 89 ) 
 
 prepared, than to flay at Hamptoft 
 Court, where fhe had nothing, and 
 might be forced to make ufe of a coun- 
 try midwife. There was not a minute's 
 -time to be loft in debating this matter, 
 nor in ceremonials ; the Princefs beg- 
 ging earneflly of the Prince to carry 
 her to St James's in fuch a hurry that 
 gentlemen went behind the coach like 
 footmen. They got to St James's fafe ; 
 and fhe was brought to-bed in one hour 
 after. Her Majefty followed them as 
 foon as me could, but did not come till 
 it was all ever. However, fhe expref- 
 fed a great deal of anger to the Prince 
 for having carried her away, though fhe 
 and the child were very well. I mould 
 have thought it had been moft natural 
 for a grandmother to have faid, fhe had 
 been mightily frighted, but fhe was glad 
 it was fo well over. The Prince faid all 
 the refpedful and dutiful things imagi- 
 nable to her and to the King, defiring 
 M her
 
 t 9 ) 
 
 $ier~Majefty to fupport the reafons which 
 made him go away, as he did, without 
 acquainting his Majefty with it, And 
 I believe all human creatures will allow, 
 that this was natural for a man not to 
 : debate a thing of this kind, nor to lofe 
 a minute's time in ceremony ; which 
 was very ufelefs, confidering, that it is 
 a great while fince the King has fpoke 
 to him, or taken the leaft notice of him. 
 The Prince told her Majefty he intended 
 to go that morning to pay his duty to 
 ^the King ; but fhe advifed him not. 
 This was Monday morning : and me 
 faid Wednefday was time enough. And 
 indeed I think in .that her Majefty was 
 in the right. The Prince fubmitted to 
 her counfel, and only writ a very fub- 
 miffive and refpe&ful letter to his Ma- 
 jefty, giving his reafons for what he had 
 done ; and this converfation ended, that 
 he hoped his Majefty would do him the 
 honour to be god-father to his daugh- 
 ter,
 
 ( 9'' ) 
 
 ter, and that he would be pleafed to 
 name who the godmothers mould be; 
 and that he left all the directions of the 
 chriftening entirely to his Majefty's plea- 
 fure. The Queen anfwered, that it 
 would be thought the aiking the King 
 to be godfather was too great a liber- 
 ty, and advifed him not to do it. When 
 the Prince led the Queen to her coach,, 
 which fhe would not have had him have 
 done, there was a great concourfe of 
 people ; and, notwithstanding all that 
 bad pafled before, (he exprefied fo much, 
 kindnefs, that fhe hugged and kifled 
 him with great paffion. The King after, 
 this fent a meffage in writing by my Lor4 
 Effex in the following words : " That 
 *' his Majefty looked upon what the 
 ** Prince had done, in carrying the Prin- 
 " cefs to London in fuch a manner, as 
 " a deliberate indignity offered to him-. 
 *' felf and to the Queen, and refented 
 " it in the higheft degree, and forbid' 
 M a- " him
 
 ( 9' ) 
 
 u him the court." All the fycophants^ 
 and agents of the court fpread millions 
 of falfities upon this occafion, and all- 
 the language there was that this was fo 
 great a crime that even thofe that went 
 with the Prince ought to be profecuted. 
 How this will end no body yet knows, 
 at leaft I am fure I don't. I have not- 
 heard yet of any chriftening being di- 
 reded : but for that I am in no manner 
 of pain; for if it be never chriftened I 
 think 'tis in a better flate than a great 
 many devout people that I know. 
 What I apprehend moft is, that the 
 crown will be loft long before this little 
 Princefs can poflibly enjoy it. 
 
 1737. They have printed all the let- 
 ters and meffages that have pafifed be- 
 tween the King, Queen, Prince, and 
 Princefs. This mews that the Minifler 
 thinks he has been in the right : but I 
 don't find any reafonable body of that 
 opinion. And I obferve, that they have 
 
 left
 
 ( 93 ) 
 
 left out in this printed paper a meflage ; 
 from his Majefty to the Prince, which 
 was brought in writing by my Lord* 
 Dunmore ; in which they judged very 
 well, for it was certainly a very odd one, 
 as I think it is, my Lord Harrington's* 
 and Sir Robert Walpole's evidence con- 
 cerning the Prince, fome part of which' 
 is certainly untrue. But upon the whole 
 matter, no body can think that the 
 Prince defigned to hurt the Princefs or 
 the child, which was of much more 
 confequence to him than it can be to 
 her Majefty, who has fo many children- 
 of her own. If the Prince had not had 
 good fuccefs in what he ventured to do, 
 and if it had been a real crime, the 
 fubmiffions the Prince has made, one 
 would think, ought to have been ac- 
 cepted, for the omiffion of a ceremony 
 that was not natural for the Prince to 
 think of at that time ; and efpecially as 
 he was treated at court. But I fuppofe 
 
 that
 
 ( 94 ) 
 
 that Sir Robert did not think it a proper 
 thing to fay, that the true caufe of the 
 quarrel was, the Prince's feeming to have 
 a defire to have the whole of the allow- 
 ance which the public pays for his fupr 
 port ; and indeed I do think it would 
 not have been becoming to have given 
 that reafon for what has been done. 
 But if I may prefume to give my opi- 
 nion againft Sir Robert's, 1 mould ra 
 ther, in his place, have chofe to have 
 fent the meflage to the Prince, that he 
 mud leave St James's, becaufe the King 
 was diflfatisfied with his behaviour in ge- 
 neral ; and not have given fuch ftrange 
 reafons for the quarrel, and then pu 
 blim a printed account, with fo many 
 reflections upon the Prince, which no 
 man that has any notion of honour can 
 ever forgive *. 
 
 J 737- 
 
 * I cannot difcover what was the real caufe 
 of this unhappy quarrel. The Duchefs feems 
 
 to
 
 ( 95 ) 
 
 T 7.T7- The courtiers talk much of a. 
 reconciliation. If there is any defign to 
 
 compafs 
 
 to think that it originated in the motion for 
 the augmenting of the Prince's revenue. It 
 is probable that the whole matter will be ex- 
 plained to pofterity, fhould the memoirs of 
 Lord Hervey ever fee the light. I have rea- 
 fon to believe that they are written with great 
 freedom. And here I muft be permitted to 
 obferve, that they who fupprefs fuch memori- 
 als of modern times, do all that in them lies 
 to leave the hiftory of the eighteenth century 
 in darknefs. In \htjixteenth century it was 
 the fafhion to preferve original papers, in the 
 eighteenth it is the fafhion to deftroy them. 
 Hence we know more of the reign of Queen E- 
 lifabeth, than we do of the reign of George I. 
 For example, Who were engaged in the original 
 project of the Rebellion in the year 1715? 
 What was the caufe of that unnatural fchifiri 
 of the Whig adminiftration in the reign of 
 George I.? Who were the projectors "of the 
 Swedifh invafion in 1718? and were the let- 
 ters of Count Gillenbourgh decyphered by 
 the fcience of Dr Willis, and without the aid 
 -of the cypher itfelf ? Is there any hiftory of 
 
 -the
 
 eompafs that, furely it was as ill judged 
 as every thing elfe, to publifh fuch a 
 character of the King's fon all over Eng- 
 land. 
 
 1737-8. There-is a great deal of very 
 good company goes to Norfolk houfe ; 
 but if I were to advife, I would have 
 more play, to make more people eafy 
 by fitting down, as it ufed to be in all 
 the courts that ever I knew, either by a 
 baffet-table, or at other games, letting 
 people of quality go halves. But they 
 begin, to my thinking, with the fame 
 forms as the late Queen did, only to 
 have room to entertain two * of the 
 town ladies, and I think it don't leflen 
 
 "the South Sea fcheme .authenticated by origi- 
 al papers ? Were we to proceed to our own 
 times, fifty queries of the like nature might be 
 put, and, as matters now (land, not one of 
 them would receive a probable folution. 
 
 * .Probably, " a fc\v."
 
 ( 97 ) 
 
 <one's greatnefs, but the contrary, to 
 make every body one can eafy. 
 
 1738. They have found a way in the 
 city to borrow L. 30,000 for the Prince 
 at 10 per cent, intereft, to pay his cry- 
 ing debts to trades-people. But I 
 doubt that fum won't go very far. But 
 they have got it, tho' great pains was 
 taken to hinder it. The falaries in the 
 Prince's family are L. 25,000 a-year, 
 befides a good deal of expence at Clief- 
 den in building and furniture. And 
 the Prince and PrincefVs allowance for 
 their cloaths is L. 6000 a-year each. 
 I wifh his Royal Highnefs fo well, that 
 I am forry there is fuch an increafe of 
 expence more than in former times, 
 where there was more money a great 
 deal. And I really think it would have 
 been more for the Prince's intereft, if 
 his counfellors had thought it proper to 
 have advifed him to live only like a 
 great man, and to give the rcafons for 
 N it;
 
 k^ and in doing fo, he would have 
 made a better figure, and have been 
 fafer : For no body that does not get by 
 it themfelves, can poffibly think the con- 
 trary method a right one. 
 
 1738 9. The Prince of Wales has 
 done, I think, a very right thing, for 
 he has declared to every body, that 
 though he did defign to bring the bufi- 
 nefs of his revenue into the Houfe, he is 
 now refolved not to do it, it being but a 
 trifle, and what could not fucceed after 
 lofing a queftion of fo much confequence 
 for the preservation of the nation *. 
 But I think all this prudence will be of 
 no ufe to prevent France's fettling this 
 country as that King pleafes, after we 
 are ftill made poorer, by what Sir Ro- 
 bert has done, and will do further. 
 
 1739. 1 hear fome people find fault 
 with the Prince's having voted in the 
 Houfe of Lords with the minority ; but 
 
 * Refpe&ing the Canvention with Spain. 
 
 I
 
 ( 99 ) 
 
 I can fee no reafon for that. For furely 
 he was as much at liberty to do it, as 
 any other Peer ; and I can't compre- 
 hend why he ihould not give his vote in 
 any thing that fo mamfeftly was for the 
 good of England. 
 
 PRTNCES-S of WALKS. 
 
 1737-8. The Princefs fpeaks Engliflv 
 much better than any of the family that 
 have been here fo long, appears good 
 natured, and civil to every body ; never 
 faying any thing to offend, as the late 
 Queen did perpetually, notwithstanding 
 her great underftanding and goodnefs *. 
 
 Sir 
 
 * Among the MSS. I find a writing with 
 this title ; A Charafler of her Higknefs tke 
 Princefs****, attempted by Richard Rollings > 
 M. D. It runs thus : 
 
 " I am fenfible how difficult it really is to be 
 
 M impartial, and how much more difficult it 
 
 M is, to feem fo, in Drawing the characters of 
 
 N 2 w perfon*
 
 Sir ROBERT W ALP OLE, 
 
 1735-6. The chief muft have great 
 talents, or he could not have compafled 
 
 what 
 
 " perfona of the higheft birth and rank. The 
 " praife or the blame which they may juftly 
 " deferve, is feverally afcribed to the intereft- 
 ** ed views or the private refentment of the 
 " author. I mould therefore not have at- 
 " tempted the chara&er of this moft excellent 
 *' Princefs, could there have been the lead 
 " room for fufpicions of that nature. But hav- 
 ** ing no obligation or difobligation whatfo- 
 *' ever to her, I fhall fpeak the truth in the fin- 
 " cerity of my heart. And I likewife call 
 ** upon all and every one of thofe who have 
 *' the honour to know her as well as I do, to 
 " contradict nae, if they can, in any one par- 
 " ticular. I have obferved her with atten- 
 '* tion from almoft the hour of her birth, and 
 " have carefully marked the progreffive fteps 
 *' of nature. I have feen hp in her moft un- 
 
 " guarded
 
 ( "I ) 
 
 what he has . But I do really believe, 
 
 that there never was any inftance in any 
 
 government 
 
 " guarded moments, and have ferioufly and 
 " critically confidered whatever fell from her j 
 " fo that I may without vanity aflert, that no 
 ** body is better qualified to tell the truth 
 ** than myfelf, though others might be much- 
 ** more capable of adorning it." 
 
 ** I (hall fay nothing of the beauty of this 
 * incomparable Princefs : it is her mind, and 
 4< not her perfon, which we intend to deli- 
 " neate." 
 
 " Neither mall I dwell upon ker high 
 *' birth and ftation any longer than to ob- 
 " ferve, that me feems to be the only per- 
 *' fon ignorant of that fuperiority. She has 
 '* never been heard to give the moft remote 
 " hint of it ; much lefs has fhe ever been ob- 
 ** ferved to aflume even that degree of ftate 
 ** which others, much inferior to her in birth, 
 " are fo foolifhly fond of." 
 
 " It would be faying but little in praife of 
 " this excellent Lady to obferve, that fhe had 
 ** early acquired many friends ; for ivlw in 
 " that high ftation has not ? where the power 
 ** of obliging and doing good is fo extenfive, 
 
 " it
 
 C 102 ) 
 
 government of fo much brutality, ill 
 principles, and folly. But which way 
 
 any 
 
 it muft be the weakeft Read, as well as the 
 " worft heart, that does not exert it, and 
 " make many happy friends. But, what is 
 ** much more rare in her ftation, (he has not 
 ** one enemy." 
 
 " Equally humane to all who approach her, 
 *' me neither ftoops to mearmefles, nor info- 
 ** lently infults, in proportion as (he imagines 
 *' the perfons may be ufeful or ufelefs ; for, 
 " having nothing to a(k, fear, or conceal from 
 " any, (he behaves herferf with unconcern to 
 all." 
 
 " She was never known to tell a lie, or 
 *' even to difguife a truth : uncorrupted na- 
 *' ture appears in every motion, and honeftly 
 '* declares the prefent fentiment. Her fmiles 
 ** are the immediate rtfult of a contented and 
 " innocent heart. They are never proftituted 
 " to difguife inward rancour and malice, nor 
 * Jnfnlioufly difplayed to betray the unwary 
 u into a fatal confidence." 
 
 " The tears me fometimes fheds are not 
 
 ** lefs fincere ; they flow only from juft ifiable 
 
 " caufes, and not from difappointed avarice, 
 
 " ambition^
 
 any of thefe things can be changed, I 
 cannot yet fee into. 
 
 1736. 
 
 * ambition, or revenge. Nor are they the 
 " forced tears of fimulated compaffion, but 
 " real hardnefs of heart. Moreover, (he ne- 
 " ver crfcs for joy." 
 
 " She is a rare inftance of liberality and 
 '* oeconomy : For though her income be but 
 " fmall, (he retains no more of it than what is 
 " abfolutely necefTary for her fubfiftence, and 
 " properly and privately difpofes of the reft ; 
 " free from the oftentation of little or fordid 
 *' minds, who, by profufion in trifles, hope 
 " to conceal the Jnfatiable avarice and cor- 
 41 ruption of their hearts." 
 
 " Though born and bred in a court, fhe 
 *' never engages in the intrigues and whifpers 
 " of it, nor concerns herfelf in public matters. 
 *' Far from retailing or inventing lies, pro- 
 " moting fcandal and defamation, and encou- 
 " raging breach of faith and violation of 
 *' fricndfhip, one would think by her behavi- 
 ** our, that fhe had even never heard of fuch 
 44 things." 
 
 " Her filence, confidering her fex, is not 
 " the leaft admirable of her many qualifica- 
 ' tiou*.
 
 ( '04 ) 
 
 1736- Sir Robert, in the Houfe of Com- 
 ^tnons, in the debate where it was taken 
 
 notice 
 
 "** tions. She never fpeaks when flie has no- 
 '* thing to fay, nor gracioufly tires her com-. 
 4t pany with frivolous, improper, and unne- 
 " ceflary tattle." 
 
 " She is entirely free from another weak- 
 " nefs of her fex, attention to drefs. And it 
 " is obfervable, that if fhe is ever out of hu- 
 ** mour, it is in thofe moments in which fhe 
 " is obliged to conform to cuftom in that par- 
 " ticular." 
 
 * Having thus finimed this imperfect fkctch 
 *' of this inimitable chara&er, I mall only add 
 " for the information of the curious, that this 
 *' moft incomparable Princefs was given us on 
 *" the 3ift of July in 1737. Name, indeed, 
 " (he has none. But had ever fuch a Princefs 
 +* a name ? or can any maa name me fuch a 
 Princefs ?" 
 
 *' This paper," fays the Duchefs of Marl- 
 borougli, *' made me laugh, for I think 
 ' there is a good deal of humour in it, and 
 " two very exaft characters." 
 
 It is curious to fee the various fhapes which 
 $arty rcfcntment can affume. We have al- 
 ready
 
 ( "5 ) 
 
 notice of the fliameful things that they 
 had done in turning out officers of great 
 merit, faid, that a minifler mud be a 
 very pitiful fellow, if he did not turn 
 out officers who pretended to meddle 
 with the <:ivil government ; and that he 
 would leave that advice as a legacy to 
 thofe miniflers that might fucceed him. 
 If I had been a parliament-man, I mould 
 have been fo faucy as to have afked why 
 the foldiers were in parliament. For, 
 according to Sir Robert's notion, they 
 were only to be a {landing army to plun- 
 der and ruin us as occafion offered, and 
 to vote away our property when they fat 
 in the Houfe. 
 
 1737. As long as Sir Robert is mini- 
 fler, the patriots cannot poffibly apply 
 
 ready met with a fatire on -Qee Caroline, ia 
 the form of an infcription to the honour of 
 Q^ieen Anne. And here a more virulent fatire 
 appears under a quibbling charafter of the in- 
 fant daughter of the Prince of Wales. 
 
 O any
 
 any money for the good of the public, 
 nor will he ever Icflen any taxes : And 
 as long as the Queen lives Sir Robert 
 will be Minifter. I think, whatever 
 happens, England can never be what it 
 has been, unlefs France could have fuch 
 Minifters as Sir Robert and his brother, 
 which is not poflible. 
 
 1737. My own opinion may, poffibly, 
 be very wrong, for it is only from what 
 I think I fee, putting things together, 
 for no body tells me any thing that I 
 can depend upon the truth of. But I 
 am confident there is nothing in the 
 world that Sir Robert Walpole defires 
 fo much, as to fecure himfelf by a treaty 
 of quitting with fafety : And in that, to 
 be fure, he is extremely in the right. 
 And I do believe, there are fome fo de- 
 firous to have the power, that they will 
 give him a golden bridge to go over ; 
 and that there will be a fcheme to fettle 
 a Miniftry, from which 1 cannot believe 
 
 England
 
 C '07 ) 
 
 England will receive any good. I be- 
 lieve there will be no fcheme offered for 
 reducing intereft or abolifhing the liber- 
 ty of the prefs, till all things are fettled 
 for releafmg Sir Robert. Though, I 
 dare fay, feveral that may be in the Mi- 
 niftry, may like, as well as he, to hin- 
 der complaints and reprefentations of 
 that fort ; and will confequently bring it 
 about in a proper time. But at prefent, 
 the Pr will be told, that by this new 
 fcheme he will have a better revenue in 
 a little time, compaffed by the mixture 
 of the old Miniftry and thofe in the op- 
 pofition joining. And that it will be a 
 great triumph to him, to force Sir Ro- 
 bert to quit, which he would give a 
 great fum of money to obtain. And in 
 this manner, 1 think, the fcheme is to 
 be carried on, without reftoring us to 
 any one article made at the Revolution, 
 or abating, in reality, one milling of the 
 grievous taxes. But more would be 
 O *- added r
 
 added, if there was a poffibility of rai- 
 ling it. Not a (hilling of the public debt 
 will be paid ; for the rich corn is already 
 gone, and the mixed Miniftry will only 
 have fome gleanings left. 
 
 1738. Whoever thinks of being a 
 Minifter, likes fools better than men of 
 fenfe, who they can't govern and make 
 do wrong things for their private inte- 
 reft. Sir Robert is a great inftance of 
 this, who has been aflifted by fuch fort 
 of creatures ; for I think he has hardly 
 any body in his great majority but 
 fuch, and thofe who, though they are 
 not ftrittly to be called idiots, have fo 
 much paffion for money, that they won't 
 lofe a guinea to fave their own eftate, 
 and the liberties of their country. 
 
 1738-9. Sir Robert told Mr Sandys 
 lately, that perhaps they might get the 
 better of him, but he was fure no other 
 Minifter would ever be able to fland fo 
 long as he had done, twenty years ; to- 
 
 whick
 
 which Mr Sandys replied, he hoped he 
 never fliould. But for my part, I wifh 
 we might have a Minifter that had power 
 to the age of Cardinal Fleuri, if they 
 deferved from their country as well as 
 he does from France. 
 
 1739. [Long minutes concerning an- 
 illnefs which Sir Robert Walpole had.] 
 I think 'tis- thought a fault to wifh any 
 body dead, but I hope 'tis none to wifh 
 he might be hanged, having brought to 
 ruin fo great a country as this might 
 have been. 
 
 1740-1. Some people refine fo much 
 as to think Sir Robert will be glad to 
 make himfelf fure of his great fortune, 
 and quit, if he can have terms that can 
 fecure him. And I have no doubt but 
 that there are fome of the minority fide 
 that would be glad to come into his 
 place, though ever fo dangerous a fi- 
 tuation. It is nvi in my opinion an un- 
 reafonabk inclination in Sir Robert to 
 
 have
 
 ( no ) 
 
 have a mind to fecure himfelf with fucb 
 a vaft wealth *, after the mifchiefs he 
 has done. But the difficulties are fo 
 great in that fcheme, that 1 confefs I can- 
 not fee how it can be brought about, as 
 Sir Robert appears at this time to be 
 fettled, and is in reality King, and will 
 be fo as long as he lives, which I believe 
 he does not expect mould be longer 
 than the King, who is I believe in very 
 good health ; and as long as there is a- 
 ny money in the nation, I think he will 
 not part with his power, nor truft to a 
 new Miniftry : though I don't expect 
 thofe that may come in to govern will 
 ever punim an offender for example's 
 
 * The vajl wealth of Sir Robert Walpol'e 
 was, I remember, the cry of the day ; and it 
 feemed as if he had purchafed moil of the coun- 
 ty of Norfolk, and pofiVfled one half at leaft of 
 the ftock of the Bank of Fngland. He him- 
 felf faid, in his familiar way, " People call me 
 rich, but my brother will cut up better." 
 
 fake-
 
 fake. But if this wonderful thing fhould 
 be brought about, Sir Robert will ftill 
 be behind the curtain *, with an im- 
 menfe eftate, and make it very uneafy to 
 any Miniften 
 
 1741-2. How well they have begun 
 in the Houfe of Commons. I find that 
 thofe who can judge very well, think 
 that Sir Robert cannot fail of being pu- 
 nifhed f ; and I wim it may go as far as 
 
 he 
 
 * This, as is generally the cafe, proved a 
 -mere bugbear. Cold friends, rather .than 
 zealous adverfaries, wrought the fall of Sir 
 Robert Walpole. Having refigned, he took 
 no longer any concern in majorities and tuino- 
 -rities. 
 
 f The opinion of thofe good judges was ill- 
 founded : Among us a Minider is changed 
 with no more ceremony than a guard; and the 
 old Minilter, like the old guard, is fuffered t 
 go about his bufmefs. At the fiege of Tour- 
 nay, in 1745, the French fa id to the Dutclj, 
 vho were defending an out-work, ** Retirez
 
 he deferves, not out of any malice 'or 
 revenge, but becaufe I really think the 
 conftitution cannot be recovered, with- 
 out fome example being made. No 
 government can be fo bad as it has been. 
 
 WINDSOR ELECTION*. 
 
 March 19. 1737-8. Difputed elec- 
 tion at Windfor will be heard at the bar 
 
 of 
 
 ** vous, Mcj/ieurs, nous ne voulons qu 'aux tnu- 
 *' rallies" Which may be thus rendered for 
 the benefit of the mere Englifh reader : ** Get 
 *' you gone, Gentlemen, it is only the town 
 " that we want." Sometimes, indeed, it may 
 be neceflary to amufe byftanders with a talk 
 of impeachments and pains and penalties. 
 
 * This account of the Windfor ele&ion 
 exceeds in acrimony every thing in the Du- 
 chefs's Meditations. The St Alban's family 
 had the fame fort of royal intereft in Windfor 
 4hat the Marlborough family had, and of &
 
 ( "3 ) 
 
 of the Houfe on Thurfday next ; ia 
 which the Duke of Maryborough affift- 
 ed a country gentleman with a very 
 good eftate. They tell me, it is the 
 ftrongeft election that ever came into 
 that Houfe. The oppofer is my Lord 
 Vere, Nell Gwyn's grandfon, and of 
 the family of the idiots, who I dare fay 
 will carry it ; becaufe they will always 
 vote as they are ordered by the Mini- 
 fter, let him be ever fo bad. Nothing 
 illegal or wrong has been done on the 
 Duke of Marlborough's fide ; for peo- 
 ple out of power can neither turn any 
 one in nor out. But on t'other fide all 
 manner of infamous practices were ufed. 
 Notwithftanding which, the Mayor was 
 forced to return both candidates, the 
 
 more ancient ftanding ; and furely Lord Vere, 
 perfonally confidered, was no defpicable can- 
 didate. The Duchefs writes with fo much 
 violence on the fubjeft, that 1 have been obli- 
 ged to curtail her long flory. 
 
 P votes- <
 
 votes being equal. His Majefty was 
 pleafed to fay publicly in drawing 
 room, when the account was given him 
 of it, < c But we have the returning offi- 
 cer." The members in conilant pay 
 will be affifted by fome of the patriots, 
 ib it will only be a trouble to no pur- 
 pofe. One of the patriots, who is Mr 
 Grenville, my Lord Cobham's heir and 
 nephew, has declared already, that he 
 is extremely forry he can't be on the 
 right fide, to which he wifbes fuccefs : 
 But he has married a relation of Lord 
 Vere's wife. -A poor foldier, whole arm 
 was mot off under the Duke of Marl- 
 borough, and who had a penfion from 
 Chelfea College, was ordered to give his 
 vote for. Lord Vere, having a houfe at 
 Windfor, and a right to do it, and told 
 if he did not, his penfion fhould be ta- 
 ken away. To which he anfwered, " I 
 " will venture ftarving rather than it 
 * c (hall be faid, that I voted againft the 
 
 " Duke
 
 ( us ) 
 
 * Duke of Marlborough's grandfon, 
 * s after having followed his grandfather 
 *' fo many hundred leagues." And ac- 
 cordingly he voted againft Lord Ver&, 
 I don't know whether they have taken 
 away his penfion, but I hope they will, 
 for I have fent him word, if they do 
 take it away, I will fettle the fame upon 
 him for his life. 
 
 March 27. 1738. The Windfor elec- 
 tion ended laft night. And after it was 
 demonftrated, that the fide the Duke of 
 Marlborough was of had a clear majori- 
 ty all ways they could poflibly turn it, 
 without pretending to argue on Lord 
 Vere's fide, becaufe they had nothing in 
 the world to fay, they put the queftion, 
 and carried it, " That Lord Vere was 
 " legally chofe, by 240 to 1 60." There 
 was no body that mined fo much in the 
 debate as my Lord Polwarth, his bror 
 ther, and Mr Plumer. The two firft I 
 have heard fome fay are too warm - 
 P a But
 
 ( Itfi ) 
 
 But I own I love thofe that are To, and 
 never faw much good in thofe that are 
 not. But if we had had a thoufand fpeak- 
 ers, it had been the fame thing. For 
 the fafts were fo ftrongly proved on our 
 fide, as to be enough for any thing but 
 corruption, had nothing been faid at all. 
 One that is a very good obferver, gave 
 me an account, that he had time to CK- 
 amine the faces of the voters on Sir Ro- 
 bert's fide, and he faid, fome of 'em 
 looked angry, others grieved, and o- 
 thers laughed. Nothing fo deteftable as 
 the behaviour of fome of the patriots. 
 
 My Lord Cobham's heir, Mr 
 
 Grenviile, faid, he wiflied Mr Oldficld 
 might fucceed, for it was right, but he 
 had married Lady Vere's fifler, and 
 therefore mufl be for Lord Vere. It is 
 impoffible for any body to believe, that 
 my Lord Cobham could not have hin- 
 dered his heir from giving a vote fo 
 fcameful to his nephew and felf, as he 
 
 profeffes
 
 profefies beingfucha patriot. Mr Berk- 
 ley had another reafon for being on that 
 fide, for he is Lady Betty Germaine's * 
 relation, and hopes to get fome of her 
 riches when fhe dies. My Lord Scar- 
 borough perfuaded his brother, Sir Wil- 
 liam [Thomas] Sanderfon, to vote con- 
 trary to his promife and his reafon, for it 
 was, that his brother had defired him to 
 do itbecaufe he lived fo much with Lady 
 Betty Gerniaine. My Lord Townfhend 
 writ out of the country, to command his 
 fon to be for Lord Vere, right or wrong, 
 and he obeyed his fathers commands, 
 contrary to his promife, and his known 
 inclination. Two of the three Admirals 
 voted for Lord Vere, though they own- 
 ed they had been wronged, by bringing 
 him over their head. The third Admi- 
 ral, Steward, ftaid away. A gentleman 
 who has the moft profitable place in the 
 -Prince's family, voted for them or ftaid 
 * The Duchefs always calls her Jernyn. 
 
 away,
 
 away, I don't know which. And the 
 reafon for that I think was the beft of 
 any , That the St Alban's family had vo- 
 ted in a caufe of his, as bad as this of 
 Lord Vere's ; which I allow was a great 
 obligation, but fuch a one as he never 
 could have had from me. Another of 
 the Patriots, I don't remember his 
 name, voted for Lord Vere, becaufe he 
 had been his fchool-fellow. And Mr 
 Compton, my Lord Wilmington's ne- 
 phew, voted againft the Marlborough 
 intereft, who had not been in the Houfe, 
 if the Duke of Marlborough and John 
 Spencer had not chofe him in Northamp- 
 tonmire, which 1 hope they'll remember, 
 if this country fubfifts fo long as to have 
 another election. My Lord Wilming- 
 ton has been a great manager in this af- 
 fair, and governed the Mayor of Wind- 
 for in all his proceedings. And the 
 Duke of Dorfet commanded one of his 
 fons to break his word, which he did 
 
 with
 
 with a great deal of trouble. The Ma- 
 iler of the Rolls fent me word he would 
 be fure to attend the caufe, if it was 
 heard at the bar of the Houfe, fuppo- 
 fmg then it would not be heard there j 
 but when he found it was, he pretend- 
 ed to be fick. This ftrange woman 
 [Lady Betty GermaineJ has had a great 
 influence over many, even upon Mr 
 Sandys, who would have been an ufeful 
 man in the Houfe of Commons, but 
 could not be prevailed on to take any 
 part in this affair. But it was too infa- 
 mous for him to vote in fuch a caufe for 
 Lord Vere, and fat filent all but his 
 
 vote. And his wife, and he too r 
 
 are often at court. His Majefty decla- 
 red publicly at his levee, before the e- 
 le&ion was decided, That Lord Vere 
 fhould have the feat in Parliament, for 
 Windfor was his borough. 
 
 Wo*
 
 ( 1*0 ) 
 
 WOMEN.. 
 
 1737-8. Women fignify nothing un- 
 Icfs they arc the miftrefs [es] of a Prince 
 or a firfl Minifter, which I would not be 
 if I were young ; and I think there are 
 very few, if any women, that have un- 
 derftanding or impartiality enough to 
 ferve well thofe they really wifli to fervc. 
 
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