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64: To Sir Horace Mann [1774

I would go no more to my own election, you may be very
sure I will go to that of nobody else.' My old tune is,

Suave man magno turbantibus aeguora ventis, &c.

Adieu!

P.S. Arlington Street, 7th.

I am just come to town, and find your letter, with the
notification of Lord Cowper's marriage⁴; I recollect that
I ought to be sorry for it, as you will probably lose an old
friend. The approaching death of the Pope⁵ will be an
event of no consequence. That old mummery is near its
donclusion, at least as a political object. The history of
the latter Popes will be no more read than that of the
last Constantinopolitan Emperors. Wilkes is a more con-
spicuous personage in modern story than the Pontifex
Maximus of Borne. The poll for Lord Mayor ended last
night; he and Ms late mayor had above 1,900 votes, and
their antagonists not 1,500. It is strange that the more he
is opposed, the more he succeeds!

I don't know whether Sir W. Duncan's marriage proved
Platonic or not; but I cannot believe that a lady of great
birth⁶, and greater pride, quarrels with her family, to marry
a Scotch physician for Platonic love, which she might
enjoy without marriage. I remember an admirable "bon mot
of George Selwyn; who said, 'How of ten Lady Mary will
repeat, with Macbeth, "Wake Duncan with thy knocking
—would thou couldst I" *

⁴ The third Earl Cowper married ^fi Clement XIV.

at Morenoe on June 2, 1776, Anne, « ftady Mary Tnffcon, sister of the

daughter of Charles Gore, of Horke- Earl of Thanet. Wal&oU.
at owe, Lincolnshire.

⁶⁶ To the fiev. William Mason [1774

assemblage of patricians and plebeians and knights— of the
post. An old-clothesman, who, George Selwyn says, certainly
stood f_or Monmoufh, 'was a candidate, but unsuccessful.
Bob®, formerly _a waiter at "White's, was set up by my
nephew for two boroughs, and actually is returned for Castle
Rising with Mr. Wedderburn;

Servus curru portatur eodem ;

which I suppose will offend the Scottish consul, as much
as Ins countrymen resent an Irishman³ standing for West-
minster, which the former reckon a borough of their own.
For my part, waiter for waiter, I see little difference ; they
are all equally ready to cry, * Coming, coming, Sir.'

I haTe heard nothing but what you tell me of Johnson's
detection ⁴, nor shall believe it till I see it. I have been
likewise told that Macpherson is to publish the papers of
Jamas II, and detect Sir John Dalrymple. Credai Judaws !
IB that house so divided against itself? I should have as
soon bolioved Lord Mansfield had been to Paris for materials
to prove the Assassination Plot. Eeally, Mr. Mason, you
pooplo who live in the country are strangely credulous!
Wo are ignorant enough at Twickenham, mais point jusqu'ti

Your Life may as well have patience a little longer still.
If it 00m0® out in, the midst of contested elections, flatter
yourself as much as you will, no soul will read it. Alas,
Sir ! the history of a dead poet will make no more impres-
sion now than the battle of Agincourt. If you can tell us
any news of the assembly of the colonies, we shall listen to
you with avidity. If you have any private intelligence that
Boston is levelled to the ground, and sown with salt, better

* An expression of disbelief in the
genuineness of Ossian in Johnson's
Journey to the Western Isles of Scot-
published in 1775,

⁸ Horvoy Hedmond. IMCorres (d.
1707), second Viscount Mo-mitmorres.



	64: To Sir Horace Mann [1774 I would go no more to my own election, you may be very sure I will go to that of nobody else.' My old tune is, Suave man magno turbantibus aeguora ventis, &c. Adieu! P.S. Arlington Street, 7th. I am just come to town, and find your letter, with the notification of Lord Cowper's marriage⁴; I recollect that I ought to be sorry for it, as you will probably lose an old friend. The approaching death of the Pope⁵ will be an event of no consequence. That old mummery is near its donclusion, at least as a political object. The history of the latter Popes will be no more read than that of the last Constantinopolitan Emperors. Wilkes is a more con- spicuous personage in modern story than the Pontifex Maximus of Borne. The poll for Lord Mayor ended last night; he and Ms late mayor had above 1,900 votes, and their antagonists not 1,500. It is strange that the more he is opposed, the more he succeeds! I don't know whether Sir W. Duncan's marriage proved Platonic or not; but I cannot believe that a lady of great birth⁶, and greater pride, quarrels with her family, to marry a Scotch physician for Platonic love, which she might enjoy without marriage. I remember an admirable "bon mot of George Selwyn; who said, 'How of ten Lady Mary will repeat, with Macbeth, "Wake Duncan with thy knocking —would thou couldst I" * ⁴ The third Earl Cowper married ^fi Clement XIV. at Morenoe on June 2, 1776, Anne, « ftady Mary Tnffcon, sister of the daughter of Charles Gore, of Horke- Earl of Thanet. Wal&oU. at owe, Lincolnshire.



	⁶⁶ To the fiev. William Mason [1774 assemblage of patricians and plebeians and knights— of the post. An old-clothesman, who, George Selwyn says, certainly stood f_or Monmoufh, 'was a candidate, but unsuccessful. Bob®, formerly _a waiter at "White's, was set up by my nephew for two boroughs, and actually is returned for Castle Rising with Mr. Wedderburn; Servus curru portatur eodem ; which I suppose will offend the Scottish consul, as much as Ins countrymen resent an Irishman³ standing for West- minster, which the former reckon a borough of their own. For my part, waiter for waiter, I see little difference ; they are all equally ready to cry, * Coming, coming, Sir.' I haTe heard nothing but what you tell me of Johnson's detection ⁴, nor shall believe it till I see it. I have been likewise told that Macpherson is to publish the papers of Jamas II, and detect Sir John Dalrymple. Credai Judaws ! IB that house so divided against itself? I should have as soon bolioved Lord Mansfield had been to Paris for materials to prove the Assassination Plot. Eeally, Mr. Mason, you pooplo who live in the country are strangely credulous! Wo are ignorant enough at Twickenham, mais point jusqu'ti

	Your Life may as well have patience a little longer still. If it 00m0® out in, the midst of contested elections, flatter yourself as much as you will, no soul will read it. Alas, Sir ! the history of a dead poet will make no more impres- sion now than the battle of Agincourt. If you can tell us any news of the assembly of the colonies, we shall listen to you with avidity. If you have any private intelligence that Boston is levelled to the ground, and sown with salt, better

	* Robert Maor©tli, afterwards	* An expression of disbelief in the genuineness of Ossian in Johnson's Journey to the Western Isles of Scot- published in 1775,
	⁸ Horvoy Hedmond. IMCorres (d. 1707), second Viscount Mo-mitmorres.