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THE ORRERY PAPERS 




THE ORRERY PAPERS 

EDITED BY THE COUNTESS 
OF CORK AND ORRERY 

IN TWO VOLUMES 

VOL II. 

Cetait jadis ' 




LONDON 

<ANT> COMTANY 



3 HENRIETTA STREET, W.C. 
1903 



M 

501 



Edinburgh : Printed by T. and A. CONSTABLE 



CONTENTS TO VOL. II. 

PAGE 

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS, vii 

MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE continued, i 

CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN LORD AND LADY ORRERY, . 141 

APPENDIX, 291 

INDEX, . . . . . . ... . . . . 323 



ILLUSTRATIONS TO VOL. II. 

JOHN BOYLE, FIFTH EARL OF CORK AND ORRERY, WITH 
TWO WIVES : LADY HARRIOT HAMILTON, DAUGHTER 
OF FIRST EARL OF ORKNEY, AND MISS MARGARET 
HAMILTON OF CALEDON. (FROM PORTRAIT AT MARSTON), 

Frontispiece 

AT PAGE 

PHILIP DORMER, EARL OF CHESTERFIELD, HOLDING 'ORRERY'S 
PLINY.' (FROM PORTRAIT AT MARSTON PAINTED FOR LORD 
ORRERY), ..''.'. . . . 18 

HONOURABLE HAMILTON BOYLE, SECOND SON OF EARL 
JOHN, AND LATER SIXTH EARL. (PASTEL OF YOUNG BOY 

WITH DOG BELONGING TO EARL OF CORK), .,,... , . 21 

RIGHT HONOURABLE HENRY BOYLE, SPEAKER OF THE IRISH 
HOUSE OF COMMONS. (FROM ENGRAVING OWNED BY EARL OF 
CORK), . . . . . f , .78 

MARIA GUNNING, COUNTESS OF COVENTRY, AS MARKET-GIRL 

WITH BASKET. (FROM PORTRAIT BELONGING TO EARL OF CORK), . 203 

JONATHAN SWIFT, DEAN OF ST. PATRICK. (FROM PORTRAIT 

BELONGING TO EARL OF CORK), 272 

LADY DOROTHY BOYLE, COUNTESS OF EUSTON. (ENGRAVING 
FROM PORTRAIT BY HER MOTHER, WITH INSCRIPTION, BELONGING 
TO THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE), 293 

SHEFFIELD, FIRST DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM AND NORMANBY 
(FROM PORTRAIT BELONGING TO SIR BERKELEY SHEFFIELD), AND 

EDMUND, SECOND DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM AND NORMANBY, 314 

TOMB ERECTED AT YOUGHAL TO THE MEMORY OF THE 

FIRST EARL OF CORK AND HIS FAMILY, . . . .320 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 

TO DR. KING. 

Caledon^ May 3O/A, 1747. 

MY DEAR DOCTOR, ... I solemnly protest my absence 
from you only makes me regret England. There was a time 
when I wished to have passed my days in my native country. 
But that time is past. My thoughts and judgement of the 
Island are altered. I feast here upon the sweets of life. I 
began there to taste all the bitters of it. I enjoy most perfect 
health at this place. I had neither health nor happiness at 
London. The ingratitude of the Marstonites was intolerable : 
the civility of the Caledonians is superlative. All the Giants 
are dead. Some wolves and Yahoos are still left : but they 
serve rather for derision than disgust. My neighbours vye to 
make the place agreeable to me. They need only to know 
my disposition to conform to it. 

I am the happiest parent in the world. My children are 
quite recovered. You have long known me the happiest 
husband. Lady Orrery seems to shine particularly in this 
sphere. She was formed by heaven for these dominions. 
They are fine, inexpressibly fine : proper for so excellent a 
princess. 

My Groves flourish amazingly. My buildings rise in the 
finest view before my eyes. Nothing is wanting but my 
Friend. The sea is short, accompany L d Boyle hither. He 

VOL. II. A 



2 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

will guide you back again, and Dolphins must necessarily play 
around the Vessel of such a poet. 

I am so perfectly happy in this state, that I am regardless 
of the state of Europe : at least in those points which cannot 
affect Ireland. I scarce read a newspaper. Most of my 
conversation turns upon Potatoes, Flax, Wool, Syder, and 
strait ditches. How different from my conversation this 
time twelve months ! I was then conversing with Dr. King 
and the Literati of Oxford. My companions now are the 
Man-Tyger, the Wild-man, the mad-man (who is pr<efectus 
urbis Caledoni<e\ the dumb-man, the Macgrady Man and 
honest Tom Heatly the Shoemaker. My Female Goddesses 
are Betty Montgomery, a mad- woman, and old Betty Gash 
our Archdeacon's housekeeper. Not a Gary woman, nor a 
Dalrymple woman to be seen, but my swans, my sheep, my 
groves and my River make up all defects except the want of 
your presence ! after which I shall languish as long as we 
are separated, even for a day ; I must and will hope to see 
you. In the meanwhile, let me hear from you often, for I 
am inexpressibly your own, 

ORRERY. 

TO THE REV. MR. F . 

Caledon, June z^tk, 1747. 

DEAR SIR, I am certain two of my letters must have 
miscarried. The last pressed for an immediate answer, and 
either you are not so happy as we wish you, or you have not 
received a request which I made you from Lady Orrery. 
Give me leave to repeat it. 

Many months are now past I believe four at least since 
from my description of Lady Curzon's Bone-house, we came 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 3 

to a resolution of building a Bonery at Caledon. I then 
desired you, and I again desire it, that you will, if possible, 
obtain from Mr. Poole, or by whatever other method you 
think proper, an exact description of that ossified edifice. 
Let me know the size of it. The sort of bones. The 
method of putting them together. In short, all particulars 
relating to ossification. We intend to strike the Caledonians 
with wonder and amazement, by fixing an ivory palace before 
their view. We have already gathered together great numbers 
of bones. Our friends the butchers and tanners of Tyrone 
have promised to encrease the number. 

We have built, at the expence of five pounds, a root 
house, or hermitage, to which on Sunday the country people 
resort, as the Londoners to Westm r Abbey. For gayer 
scenes, I have a lodge near a mile distant from the hermitage, 
and large enough to contain a good number of friends at 
dinner or supper, or to entertain eight couple with a country 
dance. Behind this room are three little rooms, a kitchen, 
a bedchamber, and another room, besides a cellar. These 
buildings are in the form of Buckingham House. And the 
courtyard is filled with various fowls, and admitts the most 
lively and innocent scene imaginable. All the buildings 
command a view of the river, of groves and of various agree- 
able objects. . . . Lord Boyle is with me, all our compliments 
attend you. I expect King Nobby over every hour. His 
majesty, by the last accounts, had taken up his residence at 
Chester. I have no thoughts of England. Caledon has 
changed me into an Hibernian. It is a charming place 
indeed. I am, dear Sir, Yours, etc., 

ORRERY. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 



FROM DR. BERKELEY, BISHOP OF CLOYNE. 

Cloyne, July \\th t 1747. 

MY LORD, A letter should be natural and easy, and yet 
I must confess I write with no small concern, since your 
Lordsp is pleased to say you expect improvement from my 
letters, that same improvement which in good earnest I should 
myself have hoped for from corresponding with a person 
so conversant in the classics as well as the grand monde, did 
not my years, and the nature of my studies, stand in the way. 

Your Lordsps lott is fallen in a pleasant land. For my 
part, I admire the belles letres without possessing them (A 
truth I need not mention), my studies having been of the 
dry and crabbed kind, which give a certain gouty stiffness to 
the style. 

I have just now read over Mr. West's book, a perform- 
ance worthy your Lordsps recommendation, and in the 
reading thereof I have been much edified, instructed and 
entertained. To me it seems extremely well wrote, and if 
it had been worse wrote, it could not have failed of doing 
good among many who do not consider what is said so 
much as who it is that said it. Certainly, men of the world, 
courtiers and fine gentlemen, are more easily wrought on by 
those of their own sort, than by recluse and professed divines. 
. . . But it is to be hoped the public, by a timely and 
serious reflexion (whereof I take this gentleman's attempt to 
be a noble specimen and leading step), will recover their lost 
sense of duty, so far as to avert that vengeance which the 
posture of our affairs abroad and the plague hovering round 
our coasts, do threaten. But, come what will, that your 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 5 

Lordsp and family may safely ride out the storm is the sincere 
wish of my Lord, your Lordsps most obedient, etc., 

GEORGE CLOYNE. 
FROM MR. BIRCH. 

London, 13 August 1747. 

MY LORD, I have long been in debt to your Lordsp for 
a most obliging and agreeable letter such as all your Lordsp's 
are, and it is one of the greatest pleasures that I feel from 
the reestablishment of my eyes that I am now able to pay 
your Lordsp my acknowledgements for that and all your 
other favours. 

With regard to the situation of affairs at home, everything 
is of course quiet at this season, and with respect to those 
abroad, the relegation of the Queen Dowager of Spain gives 
no hopes of a peace with that Kingdom to which her views 
were the chief obstacle, nor are these hopes a little favoured 
by the destruction of the Cavalier at Bellisle, near Exilles, by 
which the French are disabled, at least for this year, from 
making any further effort in favour of Don Philip in Italy. 

The great object of our attention at present is the siege 
of Bergen-op-zoom, the resolute and successful defence of 
which has occasioned the main army of the enemy to march 
towards it, which in all probability will produce another action 
between them and our army. 

The state of literature, both here and in all parts of 
Europe, is affected extremely by this long and cruel War ; 
and the Booksellers have so little vent for their old stock that 
they are very cautious of engaging in any new work of weight 
or importance. 

Mr. Littleton has followed the example of his cousin, 



6 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

Mr. West, with equal success, in his Letter upon the Conversion 
of St. Paul, which I hope has reached Ireland, where the un- 
common force and perspicuity of the reasoning may do great 
good, if unbelievers abound there as much as they do here. 

Does your Lordsp remember a very good poem, in 
imitation of one of Juvenal's Satires, called London, published 
about nine years ago ? The author of it, Mr. Sam. Johnson, 
has now undertaken a work long wished for, and almost 
despaired of, an English Dictionary ; for what we have 
already under that title does not at all deserve it. Mr. 
Addison himself had once resolved upon such a design, in 
the latter end of Queen Ann's reign, when he was out of 
employment, and as he intended the first volume of Tillotson's 
sermons, published by the Archbp himself, as one of the 
chief standards of our language, he actually marked the 
particular phrases to be introduced in the manner of the 
Dictionary della crusca : but upon the accession of the late 
King, being again brought into business of the public, he 
abandoned his scheme. Mr. Johnson has printed an account 
of his Plan in a letter addressed to Lord Chesterfield, of 
34 pages in 4. It is a very ingenious piece, and I wish 
the work itself may be executed in a manner equal to this 
sketch. 

The foreign journals mention Relation d^un Voyage fait en 
Egypte : printed at Paris, in 1 2, which is not yet to be met 
with in our Booksellers' Shops. This voyage was performed, 
in the year 1730, by the Sieur Granger, who was afterwards 
sent again into the East by the King of France in order to 
make observations and collections with regard to Natural 
History, but died in his return from Persia, of a fever, as 
Dr. Pococke told me lately, occasioned by drinking so great 
a quantity of wine when he was thirsty. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 7 

I have read over, upon your Lordsp's recommendation, 
Memoirs and Adventures d^un Honnfae Homme. It is a most 
agreeable piece, and I long for the sequel of it, which I hope 
the author will not forget, as Marivaux us'd to do. Marivaux 
is now dead without concluding his Marianne ', or Paysan 
parvenu. I am, my Lord, etc., 

THOS. BIRCH. 



FROM MR. BIRCH. 

London, Now. yd, 1747. 

MY LORD, Since my last I have two most obliging and 
agreeable Letters of your Lordsp's to acknowledge : We are 
now upon the eve of a new Parliament, in which the ministry 
have so evidently a majority that affairs there are likely to 
encounter but little opposition, especially from the Prince's 
party, who are not very considerable for number or weight. 
We had some time ago a report of a reconciliation between 
the two Courts 1 founded upon the authority of the Duke of 
Marlborough, who was said to have declared as much at 
Burferd Races. And this gained further credit by a late visit 
of the Duke of Newcastle at Leicester House. But the 
subject of that visit is now known to have been an information 
which the Prince was desirous of communicating, concerning 
some new commotions ready to break out in the Highlands, 
of which the Government had likewise an account some weeks 
before. The taking of Bergen-op-Zoom is an advantage to 
the French which has rendered them very considerable gainers 
by the last campaign at Land, but it has been fully ballanced 
by their prodigious losses at Sea ; by which their Marine and 
their Trade are almost ruined. This may probably incline 

1 Of the King and the Prince of Wales. 



8 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

them to more moderate and pacific counsels at the approaching 
congress. 

The two ships which were sent out last year for the dis- 
covery of a North West passage thro' Hudson's Bay, are 
returned without completing it. They were obliged to winter 
in the Bay, and it was June last before they could enter 
Wager River, which they sailed up 80 leagues, till they found 
it, instead of a streight, to be only a vast river, formed by the 
conflux of three others, arising from as many lakes. It is 
probable that another attempt will be made with more success. 

Mr. Garrick has incorporated all the best players at Drury 
Lane House, of which he and Mr. Lacy are sole Patentees. 
We expect several new players there this season. A Comedy, 
called 'The Foundling, by Mr. Moore, who gave us an excellent 
collection of Female Fables. Coriolanus, a Tragedy, by Mr. 
Thompson, author of The Seasons, and Irene, the Mistress of 
Mahomet n., who took Constantinople, by Mr. Sam Johnson, 
who is now preparing the English Dictionary, of which he has 
published the Plan, which I presume your Lordsp has seen. 
His talents in poetry are very considerable. We have a 
specimen of them in an admirable Satire of his entitled London, 
printed near ten years ago. 

Mr. Littleton has just given us a Monody to the memory 
of his deceased Lady. It is in imitation of Milton's Lycidas. 
His poetical pieces already published, with others still in 
manuscript, and those of his cousin Mr. West, are to be 
inserted in a Miscellany of the best poems which have 
appeared for several years past, containing three pocket 
volumes. Dodsley intends to give them to the public this 
season. 

A copy or two of the late Cardinal Polignac's Anti-Lucretius 
are now in town, having been sent hither as presents to Lord 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 9 

Chesterfield from Paris, where it is printed in two Tomes 
in 8vo. It is dedicated to the present Pope by the Abbe 
Rothelin, to whose care it was entrusted by the author on his 
death bed. The Abbe is since dead, and an anonimous writer 
has sent it into the world with a preface in a good taste, both 
of language and sentiment. He gives us in it the history of 
the Poem, which was begun in the year 1697, when the author, 
then only Abbe Polignac, returned out of Poland, where he 
had been ambassador, by the way of Holland, where, having 
had several conversations with that famous sceptic Mr. Bayle, 
he resolved to write a poem in defence of religion, but has 
formed it upon the principles of a false philosophy, that of 
DCS Cartes, except in the theory of light and colours, wherein 
he has followed our great Newton. The two last Books, the 
9th and loth, are left unfinished, and the Cardinal had pro- 
jected two more in vindication of Christianity against the 
deists. There is a translation of it into French almost finished. 
I am, my Lord, always your Lordsp's etc., 

THOS. BIRCH. 
FROM THE HON. HAMILTON BOYLE. 

St. Peter's College, Dec. iztft, 1747. 

MY LORD, After returning your Lordsp my thanks for 
your indulging present, I will give you an account of our 
success with Ignoramus, which has been as great as I could 
possibly have wished. We have acted twice, and appear again 
on Thursday the iyth, when we expect most of the nobility: 
you shall then have an account of the great men who honour 
our theatre. Lord Oxford and the Dukes of Richmond and 
Norfolk, and many more have been here, but there was 
unluckily a council those nights that we have acted, which has 



io THE ORRERY PAPERS 

hindered the company that we expected on the iyth. Dr. 
King was here the 2nd night, and stays in town for the next. 
He is in raptures about it, and said he would write you word 
immediately, which he since told me he has done. Nothing 
else is talked of about Town. My Lord Oxford's encomiums 
are very great. In short, you will imagine me to have the self 
conceit of Ignoramus if I was to give you a more particular in- 
formation, though it is your own command. You shall have an 
account again by Saturday the 1 9th's post. For then we shall 
have acted it for the last time : it may be requested by the 
noblemen to be repeated after Christmas, but that is yet 
uncertain. 

I send you the Prologue and Epilogue, the first wrote by 
Dr. Johnson, the latter by Mr. Lloyd, which, though it is flat 
to read, went off as well as any Epilogue I could have wished, 
and made a great deal of noise about town. 

I assure you I am very happy, but I cannot say quite so, 
since you are absent. My only comfort is, that every day 
brings me nearer to that happy time of meeting. In the mean 
time, if I was turned that way, I might solace myself with 
popular applause, but all the effect which that can gain over 
me is a satisfaction that I have succeeded in an applause that 
will always be of service to me. But I reserve more particulars 
for next post. The old gentleman was here and indeed had 
a bad journey, but has in this respect as well as all others 
shewed his love for the family. 

I know you will heartily rejoice at my success : when we 
meet we will talk it over. In the mean time I will drop it till 
next post. 

My duty always attends my Lady though I don't shew it 
enough by writing often, but her godness excuses me. Many 
thanks for that charming letter of my brother Edmund's. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS n 

You could not have sent me anything so agreeable. I long to 
thank him for it, till I see him he can only have my prayers. 
I am, my Lord, Your Lordsp's most dutiful and obed 1 Son, 

H. BOYLE. 



FROM MR. HERBERT BOWEN. 

Rupert Street, Sat. x. 12, 174.7. 

MY LORD, I arrived here on Tuesday last through the 
only bad weather we have had this year. The waters were so 
much out between Marston and the Devizes, that I was 
obliged to swim my horse three times betwixt the first and 
last place. But I was amply rewarded on Tuesday night, 
when I had the pleasure, the joy, the extacy, nay, I know not 
what to call it, of seeing Mr. Boyle play the part of Ignoramus 
in St. Peter's College, to a large and to a polite audience. 
Surely, my Lord, how great soever your Caledonian pleasures 
may be, had your Lordsp been that night at St. Peter's 
College, I will be bold to say that you would have thought it 
the happiest you had ever seen. I am persuaded that the part 
of Ignoramus was never better, if so well, acted, as now by 
Mr. Boyle. The universal applause of the whole audience 
convinces me that I am not singular in my opinion, and that 
what I say does not proceed from my partiality to my dear 
Captain. The Bp of Rochester, Bp Trevor, Dr. King, Dr. 
Nichols and several other grave divines laughed to excess. 

Ignoramus has not been played, tho' often attempted, since 
the year '30. The gentleman who acted it then (G. Lewis) 
performed so well that he has been called ever since (by way 
of excellence) Ignoramus Lewis. But I heard him own, and 
several people say, that Mr. Boyle has by far outdone him, 
and richly deserves the Bays. 



12 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

Lord Burlington and family are on the road from York- 
shire to London. I waited on Lord Chesterfield with a ticket 
from Mr. Boyle. His Lordsp wrote him a polite letter of 
excuse, that he could not wait on him. I know not whether 
his Lordsp mentioned it in his letter, but he was obliged to 
attend a council that night. The play is to be acted again on 
Thursday next, and I shall again wait on Lord Chesterfield 
with a ticket for that day. 

I am too much enraptured with Dr. Ignoramus to mention 
anything of business this post, and am, my Lord etc., 

HERBT. BOWEN. 



FROM THE HON. HAMILTON BOYLE. 

St. Peters College, Janry. \tfh, 1747-8. 

MY LORD, Since the account of our second nights per- 
formance, I have sent my brother the particulars of the third, 
which you should have had, only I waited till I could add the 
circumstances of a visit which I made to the Duke of Dorset, 
from whom I have received so many favours and honours that 
I join Fitz Gerald with the prayer before sermon * Particularly 

* we praise thee for thy mercy in preserving his Grace Lionel 

* Duke of Dorset.' My first visit was attended with a present 
of five guineas : but the manner in which he gave them was so 
genteel that I am doubtfull whether I would chuse his com- 
pliments or the gold. 

I should do him injustice were I to send you his particular 
expressions ; as your Lordsp knows him, you know his 
affability. He sent for me last Sunday again to dine with 
him, when I received as usual his enquiries after you and the 
whole family, and he desired his compliments to you with 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 13 

great sincerity whenever I should write to you. Lord and 
Lady Shaftesbury desire to be remembered in the same manner 
to you. My Lord told me you were one of his oldest 
acquaintance ; her Lad p sent for me to speak the Epilogue to 
her, which I did. 

I had a message last week for an attendance on L d 
Chesterfield : upon which I waited on his Lord p , and received 
compliments from him on the success he heard I had met 
with : and he added that he wished he could have been a 
spectator : but he said he would certainly be one if we would 
act again: I told his Lordsp if he would on fix a day, we 
would certainly do ourselves the honour of performing before 
him after the Holidays. And since we have met at School I 
have waited on him again to know when we might expect that 
honour, and he desires Thursday the 2 1 st of this Month, on 
which day I doubt not we shall have a noble audience and no 
purse. His L p desired me to give his service to you, as did 
my L d Foley and L d Carpenter, who were here the last time 
we acted. 

Scott and the old Gentleman, I hope have given you their 
particulars. To which shall be added mine after our next 
appearance on the stage, which though awkard, your affection 
desires to have, and therefore it shall be the care of, My Lord, 
your Lordsp's most dutiful and obed' Son, 

HAM: BOYLE. 

P.S. There is a strong report about town that my L d 
Chesterfield is going to resign, but I cannot avouch for the 
truth of it. My duty to my Lady, etc. 



i 4 THE ORRERY PAPERS 



FROM MR. BIRCH. 

London, Janry. igtA, 1747-8. 

MY LORD, Your Lordsps most agreeable Letter of the 
3<Dth of last Month has just reached me when I was preparing 
to write to your Lordsp and wishing that the republic of 
letters here would furnish me with something worthy of your 
curiosity. But we must wait for a calmer season before we 
can expect the restoration of learning to its full vigour ; for 
the voice of the Muses is lost amidst the tumults and rage of 
a war, which the successfull ambition of France leaves us little 
hopes of seeing a speedy end of. 

Mr. Melmoth's translation of Pliny has been so well 
received that he has ventured to appear lately as an original 
writer, though in disguise, for he is the real author of an 8vo 
Volume of Letters upon various Occasions, published under the 
name of Sir Thomas Fitzosborn, Bart. The style and manner 
of them is founded upon that of Pliny, and the letters consist 
chiefly of Essays upon moral and critical subjects, descriptions 
and characters. 

Mr. Richardson's Clarissa has, I presume, been very 
current with you before this time. It is not relished here so 
much as his Pamela ; and its greatest admirers acknowledge 
that it might be very much abridged, but the Incidents of the 
remaining volumes will be much more various and interesting. 

Mr. Fielding is printing three volumes of Adventures 
under the title of The Foundling. Mr. Littleton, who has 
read the manuscript, commends the performance to me as an 
excellent one, and abounding with strong and lively painting 
of characters, and a very copious and happy invention in the 
conduct of the story. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 15 

Dodsley's collection of poems by various hands was pub- 
lished last week in three volumes. It contains many valuable 
pieces which deserved to be preserved in this manner. Several 
of them never saw the light before. But I think the Editor 
might have omitted, in the first volume, Dr. King's Art of 
Cookery ', and other poems of that writer, which are familiar to 
most readers. 

I have long been surprized that the Abbe du Bos's critical 
reflexions on Poetry, Painting and Music, which have passed 
through so many editions in the French, should not have 
appeared in our language, when such a number of French 
Books of infinitely less merit are adopted among us. It is 
certainly not an easy task to do justice to the original in a 
translation, but it is now at last attempted by one Mr. Thomas 
Nugent, whose version is published in three volumes in 
8vo. 

Dr. Bradley, the King's Astronomer, has communicated to 
the Royal Society a discourse containing some discoveries of 
his of great importance to Astronomy, and particularly with 
relation to the precession of the Equinox. This discourse is 
in the form of a letter to the Earl of Macclesfield, to whom he 
does great honour as one of the best judges as well as Patrons 
of Philosophical Studies, of any person of his Lordsp's rank 
in this or any other age. 

I beg the favour of your Lordsp to make my compliments 
acceptable to my Lady Orrery, Ld Boyle, and to believe me 
to be, etc., 

THOS. BIRCH. 



16 THE ORRERY PAPERS 



FROM THOS. CAREW, ESQ. 

Lincoln's Inn Fields, z-jth Feb. 1747-8. 

UPON the first sight of my good Lord Orrery's letter, I 
was a little surprized with the account of his being dead, but 
when I found that death to be only a translation into the 
Elysian fields, I changed my mind and began to wish myself 
in the same state ; for upon the most mature and solemn 
reflection, I am every day more and more convinced that 
this climate has not the least comfortable spot in its whole 
territories, and were it not for the sake of others more than 
myself, I should make an attempt to pass the Gulph between 
us. I assure your Lordsp, you have a most just idea of the 
affairs of this most miserable great world. The distress of the 
inhabitants is now very great, but if I could see less of future 
events than what daily is discovered to our view, one might 
venture to foretell that tranquility and pleasure are removing 
their situation to a more distant climate. . . . 

It is no news to your Lordsp that Lord Chesterfield has 
resigned : but when I tell you that his brother has accepted of 
a place which became vacant in consequence of his resignation, 
and that he obtained the favour of a settlement of eight 
hundred pounds per annum upon the Irish establishment for 
a fair Lady, I fancy your Lordsp will be at a loss now to 
fathom this very extraordinary piece of politics. 

Your great Friend, and my late master, the Speaker, was 
seized with a paralytic stroke, which is thought will deprive 
the senate of his assistance. 

I am very sorry to tell you that we talk this day at the 
Cocoa tree of 55. in the pound. The money is wanted, and 
they say they must have it. But I fear the country cannot pay it. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 17 

The Duke of Bridgewater died this morning. He is 
succeeded by a fine youth who is in good hands. It is said 
that Sr R. G ve r l is soon to be made a Peer, but I hope 
without foundation. I am very sorry to confirm the story of 
the Somersetshire whipping, but its too true. Dr. King is in 
town. I hope he will succeed in printing his book. 

We shall scarce see Sir Watkin this season. I propose to 
be in Somersetshire some time in May, where I shall be proud 
of your Lordsp's commands. I wish anything could invite 
you to change your pleasant situation to that part of this 
world ; you will bring life to your friends, in these parts, to 
none more than, My Lord, your Lordsp's most obliged and 
humble Servant, 

THO S CAREW. 



FROM COUNSELLOR FORRESTER. 

London, Febr. zoth, 1747-8. 

NOTHING but the hurry of business I have had these six 
weeks could have prevented me acknowledging the favour of 
yours of the 23rd Janry. I read to our friend all that your 
Lordsp writes of Lord Boyle, which, as it gave me the greatest 
contentment, seemed to have the same effect upon him, for he 
and I shall always vye with one another in affection for every- 
thing that concerns you. I know Lord Boyle too well to 
entertain the least doubt of the improving daily. As you are 
happy in one son near you, you have no less reason to think 
yourself so in him who is at a greater distance. I am very 
sure he will make a considerable figure in any profession he 
shall chuse, though from a partiality to my own, I am rejoiced 
to find we are likely to have him amongst us. Your Lordsp 

1 Grosvenor. 
VOL. II. B 



i8 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

has an absolute right to command my services in such assist- 
ance as he may want in that pursuit. It is, no doubt, of all 
professions, the most independent ; I mean that a man of parts 
has a better chance of rising in it without the favour of Courts 
and Ministers than in any other ; though for some years past 
it has been the fashion to bring all men into a state of 
dependence. . . . The grand point, and which I promise 
myself will not be wanting in Mr. Boyle, is close application 
to study, and a firm resolution of not taking disgust at what 
is certainly not very agreeable to a young gentleman. But of 
this, my Lord, we shall talk more fully at our meeting. 

I have brought the Dr. to the point of promising that if 
your Lordsp will come to Holihead, we will go thither to 
meet you ; but crossing the sea I can't persuade him to. But 
really, my Lord, my oratory has not the power of carrying 
him beyond the limits of terra firma. 

Public news I have none to send you beyond what you 
will read in the Gazeteer. We all wish for peace, but are not 
likely to get it. You are informed before this time, of your 
friend's resignation, which surprized nobody, as it had been 
long expected, but his manner of doing it, and the circum- 
stances attending his going out, render that full as unintelligible 
as his meddling with the other place was when he accepted it. 
He was at Court the day after he resigned, visited all his 
brother Ministers before setting out for Bath, and to manifest 
his liking to those whom he was then quitting, has left his 
proxy with our quondam friend, My Lord Privy Seal. Explain 
this riddle who can, for it passes my comprehension. 

I am afraid I have tired your Lordsp's patience ; it is 
high time to release you, and let me do it by assuring you 
that I shall ever be, etc., 

AL. FORRESTER. 




-'//it/i/i . fj/tfi (>J f>/, C.J /<';/ f <'/(/. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 19 



FROM MR. BIRCH. 

London, Febr. zotA, 1747-8. 

MY LORD, Your Lordship's most obliging letter of the 
ist instant lies now before me and requires my just acknow- 
ledgements. I have the honour of being particularly acquainted 
with the Bp of Oxford, and shall be glad of waiting upon him 
with your Lordsp's letter. 

Lord Chesterfield's resignation is an event greatly regretted 
by the public, though not very unexpected ; for he had for 
some time complained of not having been treated with the 
confidence due to his post. However, he parted on good 
terms with the King, who said to him many things which his 
Lordsp declared afterwards he should never forget : though 
it would be indecent in him to repeat them. He assured his 
Majesty that he should give no disturbance to the course of 
public affairs. He is gone to Bath for his health, and several 
of his relations and friends have since been gratified with places 
or pensions, his brother John being offered a seat at the 
Admiralty Board, which he is said to have refused on account 
of the fatigue. Col. Geo. Stanhope has a regiment given him ; 
and Lady Fanny Shirley a pension of eight hundred pounds 
a year. 

The Duke of Bedford has taken the southern province as 
secretary, which is generally thought the most profitable ; his 
Grace of Newcastle having quitted that for the Northern, in 
which the greatest scene of business now lies. 

The first volume of Dr. Taylor's new edition of Demosthenes 
in 4 to which has been several years preparing, is now just 
ready for publication. It is addressed in a very elaborate 
dedication to Lord Granville, at whose request the edition was 



20 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

undertaken ; and who is the patron of the editor as well as of the 
work, having procured for him the Chancellorship of Lincoln, 
while he was left in the post of Secretary of State. . . . 

Mr. Bower's History of the Popes from the foundation 
of the see of Rome to the present time is now come to the 
press, and we expect the first volume at Ladyday and the 
second before Midsummer, but probably shall wait till next 
year for the two last. It has been encouraged by a very noble 
subscription, which he owes greatly to the recommendation of 
Mr. Littleton, whose character of the work seems fully justified 
by the author's preface, which has been shown to the subscribers. 
He began it while he was at Rome, where [he] was educated 
a Roman Catholic ; but by his examination of the ancient 
history of the church was led to renounce his attachment to 
the Pope's supremacy, and afterwards to abandon his old 
religion and come to England. He was one of the chief 
writers of the Universal History. 

Dr. Moore's new comedy, called 'The Foundling, was brought 
on the stage on Saturday last, and still continues acting with 
great applause, which it well deserves on account of the 
morality, good sense and wit in it. And I was pleased to find 
the audience interest themselves so deeply in the virtuous 
distress which fills several most pathetic scenes. 

Mr Foote, a young gentleman of a good family, but who 
having run through a fortune of twelve thousand pounds in 
two or three years was obliged to enter himself on the stage 
for a subsistence, had prepared at Rich's Theatre a piece of 
mimicry at which he has an uncommon talent, but has been 
forbid acting it by the Licenser, on account of the high in- 
decency of exposing private characters on the stage. He got 
several hundred pounds in May last by a performance of the 
same kind at the French Theatre in the Haymarket, in which 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 21 

he ridiculed the principal actors, Dr. Taylor the oculist, Dr. 
Lawson, a Physician and others. 

Our poetical pieces are all insupportably bad, except an 
Ode to the Earl of Huntingdon by Mr Akenside, the author 
of I'he pleasures of the imagination. 

With my compliments to my Lady Orrery and Lord Boyle, 
I am, my Lord, Your Lordsp's etc., 

THOS. BIRCH. 



FROM THE DUKE OF DORSET. 

White Hall, March izt/t, 1747-8. 

MY LORD, I had the honour of your Lordsp's letter, 
and I do assure your Lordsp, that in my poor opinion, our 
schoolfellow, Mr. Hamilton Boyle, deserves everything that 
can be said of him ; the applause he met with upon a [late 
occasion made one feel both pride and pleasure, he will certainly 
answer what may with reason be expected from a son of yours, 
which is as much as can be said of any body. I am my Lord, 
with great respect, your Lordsps most obedient and most 

humble servant, 

DORSET. 



TO THE BISHOP OF OXFORD. 

Caledon, March izth, 1747-8. 

MY LORD, As I have not the honour to be known to 
your Lordsp in the manner that my ambition could wish, I 
have desired my friend Mr. Birch to deliver this letter to you : 
and as I would not occasion to your Lp more trouble than is 
absolutely necessary towards granting me your assistance, I 



22 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

shall be perfectly satisfied with your Lordsp's answer in my 
correspondence with Mr. Birch. 

I have lately lost my kinswoman and friend, Lady Betty 
Spelman. In her life time she shewed me one, if not two, 
pictures intended for me after her death. A writing behind 
the canvass directed for whom the picture or pictures were 
designed. As I know not her executor, not even his name ; 
forgive me, my Lord, if your own character and the esteem 
in which Lady Betty held you, lead me to apply to you upon 
this occasion ; and permit me to add that I could wish by your 
Lordsp's means, to have my letters returned to me. They 
were many in number ; and she kept them as an instance 
perhaps, that she could condescend to relish trifles. But, in 
a correspondence with a Lady, towards whom I was far from 
having any reserve, many expressions might escape me, and 
subjects and persons might be mentioned in a manner by no 
means proper for all eyes. In your Lordsp's hands my indis- 
cretions may be safely trusted : and therefore if I might 
empower your Lordsp (forgive the expression) to receive those 
letters, I should hope the executor, whoever he is, would give 
them to you ; but I am so entirely in the dark in this whole 
affair, that unless your Lordsp is so good as to intermeddle 
in my favour in both these instances, I know not what step 
I am to take, either to recover the letters or to claim the 
pictures. I have taken up too much of your Lordsp's time 
already, and therefore hasten to subscribe myself, my Lord, 
with the utmost respect and esteem, Your Lordsp's, etc., 

ORRERY. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 23 



TO THOMAS CAREW, ESQ. 

Caledon, March iztfi, 1747-8. 

I AM not dead, dear Sir, nor was 1 ever in a better state 
of health. I am truly sorry for the Speaker. We shall not 
soon see his like again, and in this country it is probable I 
shall not see the likeness of his perrewig. I think the State 
will scarce be convulsed by the D. of Bridgew rs death. But 
I am sure the stage will feel an earthquake by the demise of 
Heppesley. Your design is extremely kind in trying to amuse 
your friends here with the new pamphlets and productions of 
London. We have them constantly reprinted in Dublin, and 
my friend Sir George Faulkner (for he either is or should be 
a Knight) sends them to me with perusals of various pieces 
before the public receives that satisfaction. If you were with 
me on this side of the water, we should find great satisfaction 
in Sir George's conversation. He was the printer and favourite 
of Dr. Swift ; he was the bookseller and companion of Lord 
Chesterfield, and he thinks wit, like the plague, is contagious. 
He has a solemnity of face that never alters ; so that in his 
brightest or most gloomy hours he remains immoveable in 
countenance and appears a kind of talking statue. 

Clarissa kept us up till two in the morning. Rhodoric will 
keep us up all night, and he, I am told, is to be succeeded 
again by Clarissa, whom I left, adorable girl, at St Albans. 
... [I would] enquire after my Lady C. B. 1 I have 
expected to hear of her marriage with Lord Hartington many 
months. You know we honour and love her father, and 
therefore I wish her, and indeed upon her own account, all 
happiness and prosperity. Betty has been very ill, but Miss 

1 Lady Charlotte Boyle. 



24 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

Smith's letters are true cordials, and Miss Carew's usquebaugh 
the prince of cordials. Four or five years hence you will find 
my appetite as good as usual at strawberries and cream. 
Believe me, ever yours, 

ORRERY. 



AN EXTRACT OF A LETTER TO THE RIGHT 
HONOURABLE LORD BOYLE, CONCERNING THE DIS- 
TURBANCE AT OXFORD, RECEIVED MARCH THE 2OTH, 1748. 

I SHALL proceed to give you an Account of Dawes's 
Behaviour which may prove of the utmost bad consequence to 
himself and Prejudice to the University. You are to know that 
some Weeks since Dawes, Whitmore of Baliol, and another Man 
of the same College, after having drank very hard, issued forth 
into the Streets, where they made a great Riot, uttering the 
most treasonable Expressions they could possibly make use of. 
They were by no means to be dispersed, though Mr. Blakoe, 
a Master of Arts of Brazen Nose, attempted it, and some say 
that Dawes struck him. However, at length he delivered 
them over to Mr. Sandford, of Christ Church, who, as you 
know, is this Year one of the Pro-Proctors. The next morning 
they were carried before the Vice-Chancellor to receive con- 
dign Punishment, who imposed them severely, and put by 
their Degrees for a Year. Just at this time Mr. Blakoe came 
before the Vice-Chancellor with Depositions of their Behaviour, 
and all the treasonable Words they had poured forth so 
lavishly, the Truth of which was attested to by Mr. Leeker 
of Christ Church and Mr. Knox of our Hall, who offered to 
make Oath of what they there asserted. The Vice-Chancellor, 
judging it unstatutable, or thinking it beyond his power to 
inflict any but Academical Punishment, refused to take their 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 25 

Depositions, upon which Mr. Blakoe, urged on by his Zeal, 
or prompted to it by the Rage of his Displeasure (for, not 
knowing him by Person or Character, I am unable to discover 
his Motive) went up to London and gave in at the Office of 
the Secretary of State the full Account of the rash Behaviour 
of these young Fellows. When the Affair first made its Burst 
in London, People talked variously : Some imagined it would 
be shifted if Earl Gower and the Duke of Bedford had not 
determined to the contrary. Others thought the Delinquents 
would be seized upon ; while there wanted not many who 
supposed that the Vice-Chancellor would be called upon to 
give his Reasons why, as a Civil Magistrate, he had refused 
to receive the above mentioned Depositions. Thus Affairs 
remained, till last Fryday One of the King's Messengers went 
down to Oxford and brought Dawes up to Town as a Prisoner 
of State. Some say the Baliol Men were likewise apprehended, 
but whether true or not, I cannot say. I can only affirm that 
Dawes is so. How this Affair may end, Time must determine. 

London, April i, 1748. 

MY DEAR LORD, I would not have troubled you with a 
Letter till I had received an Answer to my last ; but, as I 
imagine, you will not be a little curious to be acquainted with 
my Situation. I hope you will excuse the liberty I have taken 
in making you my Debtor for two Letters. Mr. Blakoe, 
thinking the Vice-Chancellor had not imposed a sufficient 
Punishment on us, waited on the Duke of Newcastle with his 
Information, upon which the Privy Council were called, and it 
was debated whether they should take notice of it ; upon 
which the Duke of Bedford and Lord Gower very strenuously 
exerted themselves, and insisted on our being called to Account. 
Accordingly two Messengers were sent down to Oxford for us, 



26 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

one of whom goes by the name of Ward, in whose custody we 
now are. The Day after we came to London we were taken 
before the Duke of Newcastle and examined, and ordered 
back into Custody. We have heard Nothing farther ; what 
the Event will be, the Lord knows : But I hope, nascetur 
ridiculus Mus. Knox came yesterday to London, and this Day 
gave his Evidence against us before the Duke of Newcastle. 

['*Two or three young riotous students at Oxford, trained 

* up in prejudice and heated with intemperance, uttered some 

* expressions over their cups importing their attachment to the 

* Family of the Pretender. The report of this indiscretion was 

* industriously circulated by certain worthless individuals, who 

* having no reliance on their own intrinsic merit hoped to 

* distinguish themselves as the tools of party, and to obtain 
4 favour with the ministry by acting as volunteers in the 
' infamous practice of information. Tho' neither the age, rank 

* nor connections of the delinquents were such as ought to have 
c attracted the notice of the public, the vice chancellor, heads of 
' houses, and proctors of the university, knowing the invidious 
' scrutiny to which their conduct was subjected, thought proper 

* to publish a declaration, signifying their abhorrence of all 

* seditious practices ; importing their determined resolution to 
' punish all offenders to the utmost severity and rigour of the 
' statutes, and containing peremptory orders for the regulation 

* of the university. Notwithstanding these wise and salutory 

* precautions, the three boys, who in the heat of their intoxi- 

* cation had drunk to the Pretender's health, were taken into 
' custody by a messenger of State. Two of them being tried in 
' the Court of King's Bench, and found guilty, were sentenced 

* to walk through the courts of Westminster, with an account 
4 of their crime fixed to their foreheads ; to pay a fine of five 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 27 

' nobles each ; to be imprisoned for two years, and find security 
* for their good behaviour for the term of seven years after 
4 their enlargement. Many people thought they saw the pro- 
' ceedings of the Star Chamber revived in the severity of this 
' punishment.' SMOLLETT (Hist, of Eng.).~\ 



DR. BARRY TO LORD ORRERY. 

Dublin, April n, 1748. 

MY DEAR LORD, Lord Boyle has been detained by me 
from going to Caledon by reason of a purging which he 
neglected for two or three days. I have had no occasion to 
give his L p any medicines, but to confine him yesterday, and 
this day to Chicken, and chiefly a Broth Diet. To-morrow he 
purposed setting off, but I have insisted on his staying this 
week till his L p is fully recovered. The Weather is still severe, 
and the least cold might increase a Disorder, which is in itself 
trifling. I parted with Ld Harrington on Monday Night. 
He told me of a very remarkable Pamphlett, which was just 
publish'd and sent over to him. A Justification of the Conduct 
of the Earl of Chesterfield. Some suppose it was written, he 
said, by himself, but that he could by no means give Credit to, 
as he knew he parted with the King on the best terms, and the 
Pamphlett casts many Severe Reflections on His Majesty, and 
imputes our not having had a good peace with France, and 
separate peace with Spain, to his Obstinacy and the obedient 
Disposition of the Ministry. Whoever has wrote it, he says, 
cannot be of the common Class of Men, as he asserts from his 
own Knowledge what has pass'd in the most private Councils. 
He says the Author has dragd him in, in two or three Places, 
and says his L p has quitted the Secretary's Place for the same 



28 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

motives with which Ld Chesterfield l is now influenced to quitt 
the same post. It will be soon printed here and I shall take 
care to enclose it. My best Respects attend Lady Orrery. I 

am, my dearest Lord, ever y r own 

ED. BARRY. 



FROM DR. POCOCKE. 

Dublin, May yd, 174.8. 

MY LORD, I am to acknowledge the honour of your 
Lordsp's letter, and to return my hearty thanks for the two 
Roman coins which your Lordsp was so kind as to send me 
by the means of Lord Boyle. 

Your Lordsp sees we have a peace. It is said the King 
of Sardinia's Minister protested, as well as the Emperor's, and 
both for the same reason, the loss it will occasion of our Money, 
and the latter will be at a loss for a supply to finish his Palaces 
and to parade it at Vienna, as they have employed their Money 
instead of sending their Quota, and it will be a warning to us 
how to engage any more upon the Continent for such ungrateful 
Allies. The King of Sardinia is to have a finale and part of 
the Milanese. We must be still in war with the Spaniards in 
the West Indies, as nothing is stipulated in favour of our trade, 
for which we engaged in the Spanish War. Maestricht being 
excepted out of the Armistice, about which Ld G. Sackville 
went to Marshall Saxe, is thought to be only to bring in the 
Empress whose troops are in that town ; and if so, its probable 
the siege will be turned into a blockade, which it is said the 
Water had effected before the preliminaries were signed. Dun- 
kirk is not to be demolished, and what we seem to have got 

1 Philip, Fifth Earl of Chesterfield, was made a member of the Cabinet in 1 744, 
and in the following year appointed Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, in which office he 
preceded Lord Harrington. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 29 

for our treasures is the establishing an hereditary Stadsholder 
in Holland, and so we shall probably have peace till an 
Emperor or King of Poland is to be made ; though the Czarina 
seems to be almost in possession of the latter. My best 
respects attend all your Lordsps family. I am, with the 
greatest regard, My Lord, etc., 

RICHARD POCOCKE. 



FROM MR. THOMAS CARTE. 

Dean's Yard, Westminster, May $th, 1748. 

MY LORD, I had the honour of your Lordsp's yesterday. 

I am surprized that my book was so long on the road, 
and sorry that your Lordsp hath not read more of it that I 
might have the benefit of your remarks, and judgement 
upon the transactions related and the dissertations interwoven 
therein. My second volume, which will be printed by this 
time twelve months, will go down to the reign of Henry 8th, 
when embassies and negotiations first came on the tapis, for,. 
Ferdinand, the Catholic, was the first prince in Europe that 
ever had what is called a leiger Embassador residing at a 
foreign Court: and his envoys were looked upon as meer 
spies, till other powers, finding the use of such ministers, the 
practice became common. In former times Princes sent 
persons of quality with a large train to carry a message and 
settle a particular point ; but their journey seldom took up 
a month, and they return'd as soon as an answer was given 
to their matters, letters or proposals. I have seen several 
journals of these Embassies in the King of France's library ; 
but there appears little or no intreague in any of them till the 
time of Henry 8th, when embassadors began to stay some 
time in the courts of princes to whom they were sent. 



30 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

Mr. Ecklin has certainly been very ill-treated, and has 
created a precedent that may prove very inconvenient if the 
ill use made of it in his case does not deter people from 
following it. It is frequent for husbands to give their Wives 
leave to make a will, but I am told it hath never been more 
than a verbal leave. Mrs. Ecklin would have that leave 
drawn up in writing : he consented, and Frank Garvan drew 
a form. This did not satisfy : she would have one drawn by 
her own lawyer : He complied ; tho' she had given Sir Robert 
Brown ^800 out of her scrutoir in his presence. She used 
her power to give away everything he had given her, and 
whatever was in her power to the value of 9000. Yet, he 
lays her death to heart, and all her ingratitude is sunk in his 
tenderness. I was much afraid for his life at first, but he 
begins to grow better, and will be soon setting out for Ireland, 
where he proposes to spend the rest of his life. 

We see nothing here but what is melancholy, and expect 
nothing but disasters, and all the miseries which an universal 
want of money can bring on people. The Min rs are going 
to pay ^500,000 of Navy Bills to put some specie a circulating 
in the world, and are in hopes that with the dividends of 
the three great companies, soon to be paid, they will enable 
subscribers to pay the late loans for this and the next month, 
but I don't find that anybody thinks the payments of July 
and August possible to be made. The distresses of March 24 
are inconceivable, and the quantities of paper money given 
in security for specie, are surprizing. I saw myself 2000 
such money given for ^100 cash, and such a check is now 
given to public credit, that few think it can ever recover, 
and everybody dreads the consequences. I am, my Lord, 
Your Lordsp's etc., 

THOS. CARTE. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 31 



TO DR. POCOCKE. 

Caledon, June 6th, 1748. 

SIR, Enclosed you will find some few pieces which I 
offer to you, not as valuable coins, but as such only as I have 
been able to procure at this place. I am told that Mr. Simon 
has made a very large collection of Irish coins, so that I 
cannot doubt that he has the Philip and Mary of 1557 and 
1558 with the harp on the reverse : a base coin, but curious 
and tolerably plain. I wish to know when Mr. Simon's book 
will be published, and whether Bower's first volume of the 
Popes is yet come over. 

Thompson's Castle of Indolence came to me last post. I 
have not yet read it. Such a poem will certainly be very 
proper to my hermitage, which is now in such beauty that 
I am impatient to see you there. 

I have great expectations from the account of Lord 
Anson's Voyage round the World. It is printing, I hear, in 
Dublin, and is highly valued in England. 

What shall I say about the peace ? In my retirement it 
is impossible to judge of the actions of the great World. But 
if the newspapers can afford us true lights, I think the move- 
ments are a little disturbed. The Wheels don't seem to turn 
easily : they want oil perhaps. However, it is prudent not 
to supply our enemies with coin ; the scarcity of which and 
the march of the Russians were the chief motives, 1 presume, 
of the Gallic measures. The next winter will abound in 
Pamphlets, Speeches and protests, and will possibly clear up 
to us those facts of which we cannot even guess at the springs. 

I have not seen the Anti-Lucretius : it bears an high 
character, and will probably be reprinted in Dublin. Any 



32 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

books in par cells too heavy for the post will come safe if you 
will be so kind to send them to Mr. William Marlow, 
Merchant in Mary's Abbey, directed to, Sir, Your most obe 1 

and, etc., 

ORRERY. 

I hear a most shocking account of some of the Scholars 
in Dublin College. Is it true ? 



TO MR. THOMAS CARTE. 

Cakdon, June utA, 1748. 

SIR, I have not yet had time to look into your history. 
I postpone that employment for the winter evenings. There 
are several parts of our English History and Constitution 
which I wish you to explain to us very minutely. I am afraid 
some of our most celebrated laws are not built upon so just 
a foundation, or at least, are not executed in so equitable a 
manner as they ought to be. The Jury take upon themselves 
in so many cases to determine the law as well as the fact. 
It is their constant practice, and not disputed to be their right. 
But as I am still of opinion that by their original constitution, 
which is very antient, they were confined to matters of fact ; 
and if their first power extended no further, it appears difficult 
to determine whether the enlargement of that power in the 
manner as now practiced, be an alteration from which great 
benefit may arise. This trial by juries is generally boasted of 
as one of the most excellent branches of our constitution. 
In theory it certainly appears in that light. The jurors are 
to be men of competent fortunes, in the neighbourhood, and 
are to be so avowedly indifferent between the parties concerned 
that no reasonable exception can be made to them on either 
side. In Treason, the person accused has a right to challenge 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 33 

five and thirty ; and in Felony, twenty, without shewing 
cause to challenge. But as several difficult points of law 
are brought before them, and as they are often composed of 
men of mean estates and low understandings, I question 
whether they are always capable of determining properly 
and judiciously the matters of justice which are submitted 
to their judgement, even although the judges of the Court 
explain the nature of the case and the law which arises 
upon it. 

If my paper were not at an end, I should say something 
upon that head, but I can now only add that I am, Sir, Your 
most humble Servant, 

ORRERY. 



TO ALEXANDER FORRESTER, ESQ. 

Calf don, June 13, 1748. 

DEAR SIR, I deferred writing to you till I knew where 
and in what manner my son Hamilton would perform his 
journey to Ireland. You will not be troubled with him. He 
is already set out or upon the wing. I am impatient to see 
so very hopefull a son, whom I hope you will receive as your 
humble servant, and will assist him with your friendship and 
instruction. 

I have not heard from our friend 1 these many months. 
I have scarce heard of him, so that I can only guess he is in 
his Cell. I imagine his thoughts are taken up in preparations 
for the troublesome consequences that are likely to attend 
the late uproars and misconduct at Oxford. I hear the 
utmost resentment, I hope not the severest punishment, will 

Dr. King. 
VOL. II. C 



34 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

be shewn to the transgressors. I am glad to have my judge- 
ment confirmed by keeping my young man under my own 
eye on this side of the water. He shall not stir from me, 
and if he is not improved, at least he will not be injured by 
any company he keeps here. I wish him to be better versed 
in prudence than in Mathematics, in common sense than in 
poetry, and in a sober uniform conduct than in the joys of 
Bacchus and Midnight revels. When we meet, I shall speak 
freely to you upon this subject and many others. 

Blasphemy reigns as triumphantly at Dublin College as 
disloyalty has reigned at Oxford. One young gentleman is 
banished from the society, two or three more are admonished. 
Some have publicly denied the belief of Jesus Christ, others 
have abjured the being of a God : but prudence, or want of 
sufficient testimony against the offenders, has hindered any 
violent proceedings upon the occasion. 

Tell me, what does the world say to peace ? Or is it 
peace ? or is it war ? or is it neither ? 

Hasten hither, my worthy friend, where the Caledonian 
will receive you with open arms, and where you will 
confer much additional happiness to Your truly obedient 
Servant, 

ORRERY. 

TO THE HON. HAMILTON BOYLE. 

Caledon, June 15^, 1748. 

MY DEAR HAMILTON, Nothing can be more agreeable 
to me than your requests. They are always so reasonable 
that I have a double pleasure in granting them. Your friend, 
Mr. Tibbald, shall be truly welcome. You describe him as 
a man of humour. He will find here sufficient fund to 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 35 

exercise that genius. Even the female sex have something 
in their manner so formal and particular that we cannot 
help fancying them rather the ridiculous than the beautiful 
part of the creation. But I will not anticipate your pleasures. 

Marsh is ordered to supply you with what money you 
want. As you have a companion you cannot possibly call any- 
where on the road, a circumstance which I am not sorry for. 

I have not heard from Dodd since he left us. I fear he 
was in the storm. God protect you on Sea and land. I could 
wish you, methinks, to chuse the shortest passage by sea. 
Address yourself to Mr. Marlow as soon as you arrive at 
Dublin, but I believe Dr. Barry will insist upon your stay 
and your friend's, at his house : nor can it be refused upon 
any account whatever. I think if you stayed one whole day 
at Dublin besides the day of your arrival, you would be 
sufficiently rested after your fatigue and we might be adver- 
tized of your arrival, so as to meet you. Come by the way 
of Newry and Armagh. 

Remember to visit our aunt Mrs. Hamilton. I believe 
most of my other friends will be out of town except 
the great Sir George Faulkner, who ought to be made 
known to Mr. Tibbald. A more singular character than 
Sir George's, even among the singular booksellers, cannot 
be found in the three Kingdoms, or, in his own phrase, in 
Europe. 

So with prayers, and impatient wishes for your safe arrival, 
I remain, My Dearest Hamilton, Your truly affectionate 
Father, 

ORRERY. 

Lady Orrery joins with me in every word of this letter 
relating to your welfare. She is your mother indeed. 



36 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

FROM DR. MEAD. 

London, August gtA, 1 748. 

My DEAR LORD, Your Lordsps commands always do 
me great honour, and it is a real pleasure to hear of the health 
of your noble family. 

As I am always scribbling, I believe I may this Winter have 
the honour to present your Lordsp with a little book De 
morbis qui in 'Bibliis memorantur. The Clergy, I am afraid, 
will say I am no good divine, for, whereas they are fond of 
the Devil, 1 have endeavoured to shew that he is not so 
formidable as they make him ; and that our Saviour came to 
destroy his works. I am old enough not to be afraid to speak 
my mind when I think I have truth on my side, and especially 
when I am convinced the cause of Religion will not suffer 
by it. 

Lord Burlington and his family are well, and, to the great 
joy of his and the Devonshire family, Lady Harrington is in 
the fifth month of her Pregnancy. 

I beg leave to give my most humble respects to Lady 
Orrery and all your truly noble family, and am ever, with the 

greatest honour, My dear Lord, yours, 

R. MEAD. 

FROM DR. BARRY. 

Sept. 3, 1748. 

MY DEAR LORD, I really believe You are more happy 
than the Prime Minister, and have made at least as good a 
peace. Watt deserves still y r Attention and Regard, but the 
greatest part of the Attendants on a Law-suit, like the Russians, 
receive pay for their formidable Appearance only. These 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 37 

Halcyon Days will I think ever continue. You cannot too 
much unbend a mind which has been long kept in an anxious 
state, and even Pliny will gain more strength for being for 
some time neglected. When shall I have rest ! Poor Tibalt 
has been very ill but is now much better ; he is an excellent 
Schollar, and has a fine Imagination which he has too much 
indulged. Business and conversing with Fools and Coxcombs 
would now give his mind a better turn than Horace or Shake- 
speare. 

I have return'd Ld Chesterfield's Letter, which I had seen 
before ; his observations are too just, and his manner of ex- 
pressing them peculiar to himself. I find 'tis suspected by 
some, that he will come over again, which I think not impro- 
bable. The Author of the Old English Journal has been long 
displeas'd with him, and calls him Selim Slim ; and in his 
last Paper is particularly severe against him and Barnaby Bustle, 

the Duke of N e l . 'Tis certain his pacific Scheme has been 

in a great measure followed ; he has not appeard against the 
Ministry, and I believe they cannot well avoid offering him a 
Government, which will place Him at a proper Distance from 
them. Lord petersham 2 has return'd to England, and by his 
accepting so small a Post seems to think that he shall not long 
have an Opportunity of getting a better. But I forget that I 
am writing to One who laughs at these Things, and employs 
his Thoughts on subjects much more agreeable to them. 
Adieu then, my dearest Lord, and in the midst of your 
Freedom and Happiness remember sometimes y r Faithfull 
and affe te 

ED. BARRY. 

1 ('Newcastle.') 

2 Viscount Petersham (and First Earl of Harrington) at that time Lord Lieutenant 
of Ireland, and notwithstanding Dr. Barry's predictions, continued in that position 
until succeeded in 1751 by the Duke of Dorset. 



38 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

TO THE EARL OF SUFFOLK. 

Caledon, Sept. zist, 1748. 

MY DEAR LORD, I confess it is a long time since I have 
done myself the honour to write to you. Your Lordsp, 
perhaps, may impute my silence to the gloominess of 
the climate, and the soporiferous particles that float 
unseen in our bumpers of claret. I cannot say, My dear 
Lord, that the supposition is entirely without foundation, but 
the truer and more important reasons have been a very per- 
plexing scene of business, succeeded by an inundation of 
company that have borne me down most triumphantly with 
the stream of idleness, and have made me forget all the laws of 
civility and gratitude, except such as related to themselves. 
Your goodness, I know, my Lord, will easily forgive me, 
especially as the correspondence between the two Countesses 
exhibits to you all the news of Caledon. 

How often do I ruminate upon the pleasures of Duke 
Street ? Pleasures now no more. ' O, 'tis a ruefull thought 
* to have been blest ! ' Well, my dear Lord, I will still hope 
that we shall one day meet, at least in England, if not in 
Westminster. .Till then, continue in ... 

TO THE REV. MR. BIRCH. 

Caledon, Sep. zist, 1748. 

DEAR SIR, It either is or seems to be a long time since 
I heard from you. Perhaps you are writing the very same 
sentence to me : but, as the loss is on my side, you must give 
me leave to complain. 

This summer has passed away in great idleness and feast- 
ing, so that I have scarce, looked into a book of any sort. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 39 

Mrs. Pilkington and Con Philips, however, have not escaped 
me. I was obliged to read them to adapt myself to the con- 
versation of my neighbours, who have talked no other topic, 
notwithstanding the more glorious subjects of peace and Lord 
Anson's Voyage. I have not peeped into the Anti-Lucretius. 
It is arrived at Caledon and reserved for the longest evenings. 
Carte's voluminous history of England is weighing down one 
of my shelves. He, likewise, is postponed to bad weather or 
a fit of the Gout. Last week brought us the first number of 
Con's second volume. She goes on triumphantly and is very 
entertaining. Her sister Pilkington is not so fortunate. She 
has squandered away the money she gained by her first volume, 
and cannot print her second. But from you I hope to hear 
of books of another sort. A thin Quarto named Louthiana, 
is most delicately printed and the cuts admirably engraved, 
and yet we think the County of Louth the most devoid of 
antiquities of any County in Ireland. The County of Corke 
is, I believe, in the press, and I am told it will be well executed. 
I have seen the County of Waterford, and approve of it very 
much. These kind of books are owing to An historical society 
founded at Dublin, and of great use to this kingdom, which 
is improving in all arts and sciences very fast : tho' I own to 
you, the cheapness of French Claret is not likely to add much 
at present to the encrease of literature. If all true Hibernians 
could bring themselves to be of your opinion and Pindar's, 
the glorious memory of King William might keep the head 
cool and still warm the heart ; but alass ! it sets both on fire : 
and till these violent fits of Bacchanalian loyalty are banished 
from our great tables, I doubt few of us shall ever rise higher 
than the Memoirs of that kind I first mentioned. I am, dear 
Sir, and so is all my Family, truely yours, 

ORRERY. 



40 THE ORRERY PAPERS 



COPY OF A LETTER FROM LORD CHESTERFIELD 
TO MR. PRIOR. 

SIR, A long and dangerous Illness has hindered me from 
acknowledging until now, your two last letters ; and, though 
I am a good deal better, I still feel, by extreme Weakness, the 
Shock which that Illness has given to a Constitution too much 
shattered before. 

Pray be under no Kind of Uneasiness as to the Accident 
that happened to my Letter ; for, I assure you, I am under 
none myself. I confess, the Printing of a Letter carelessly 
and inaccurately written in the Freedom and Confidence of a 
friendly Correspondence, is not very agreeable, especially to 
me, who am so idle and negligent in my familiar Letters that 
I never wrote one twice over in my Life, and am consequently 
faulty often, both of false Spelling and false English. But, as 
to my Sentiments in regard to Ireland, I am not only willing 
but desirous that all Ireland should know them. 

I very well recollect the two Paragraphs in my Letter 
which might be objected to by many People ; but I recollect 
them without retracting them. I repeat it again, there are 
not many People there, who, like you, employ their thoughts, 
their Time and their Labour merely for the public Good 
without any private Views. The condition of Ireland suffici- 
ently proves that Truth. How different would the State of 
your Land, your Trade, your Manufactures, your Arts and 
Sciences have been now, from what it is, had they been the 
Object of the general as they have been of your particular 
Attention ? 

I shall still less recant what I have said about Claret, which 
is a known and melancholy Truth, and I could add a great 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 41 

deal more upon the Subject ; five thousand Tuns of Wine 
imported communibus Annis, is a sure but indecent proof of 
the excessive Drinking of the Gentry there ; for the inferior 
Sort of People cannot afford to drink Wine there, as many of 
them can here. So that these five thousand Tuns of Wine are 
chiefly employed in destroying the Constitution, the Faculties, 
and too often the Fortunes of those of the superior Rank, who 
ought to take care of all the Others. Were there to be a 
Contest between publick Cellars and publick Granaries, 
which do you think would carry it ? I believe you will allow 
that a Claret Board (if there were one) would be much better 
attended than the Linnen Board, unless when Flax-Seed was 
to be distributed. I am sensible I shall be reckoned a very 
shallow Politician, from my Attention to such trifling Objects, 
as the Improvement of your Lands, the Extension of your 
Manufactures, and the Increase of your Trade, all of which 
tend only to the advantage of the Publick. Whereas an able 
Lord -Lieutenant ought to employ his Thoughts in greater 
Matters. We should think of Jobs for Favourites, Sops for 
Enemies, managing Parties, and engaging Parliament to vote 
away their own and their Fellow Subjects' Liberties and 
Properties. But these great Arts of Government, I confess, 
are above me ; and People should not go out of their Depth. 
I will modestly be content with wishing Ireland all the Good 
that is possible, and with doing it all the Good I can : And so 
weak am I that I would much rather be distinguished and 
remembered by the Name of the Irish Lord-Lieutenant, than 
by that of the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland. My Paper puts 
me in Mind, that I have already troubled you too long, so I 
conclude abruptly with assuring you that I am, with the truest 
Esteem, Your faithful Humble Servant, 

CHESTERFIELD. 



42 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

[The only extract of the Letter alluded to is as follows] : 

... Of the Irish Taste of the present Time I cannot help 
saying, that except in your Claret, which you are very sollicit- 
ous should be two or three Years old, you think less of two or 
three Years hence than any People under the Sun. If they 
would wish Themselves as well as I wish them, and take as 
much Pains to promote their own true Interest, as I should 
be glad to do to contribute to it, they would in a few Years be 
in a very different Situation from that which they are in at 
present. Go on, however, you and our other Friends ; be not 
weary of well-doing. And if you write to the most worthy 
Bishop of Cloyne, pray assure him of my true Regard and 
Esteem. And remember me to my honest and indefatigable 
Friend in good Works, Dr. Madding. And be assured your- 
self that I am, with sincere Friendship, Your most faithful 

Humble Servant, 

CHESTERFIELD. 

FROM MR. BIRCH. 

London, Sepr. 30^, 1748. 

MY LORD, Your Lordsp's favour of the 2ist of this 
Instant is so very obliging and agreeable that I could not 
excuse myself for neglecting one post to return my acknow- 
ledgements for it. 

I hope the re-establishment of peace will soon restore 
vigour and activity, after so long an Interval, to the republic 
of Letters, and supply us with other kinds of entertainment 
than politics, Gazettes and Histories of Campaigns. 

Our two Stages are now opened, and Mr. Rich has had the 
good fortune this year to engage Mr. Quin and Mrs. Westing- 
ton in his Service, tho' the latter is in danger of being sued 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 43 

for breach of Contract by Mr. Garrick, who on the other hand 
is threatened by her with a prosecution for a promise of 
Marriage. 

Thomson, the author of the Seasons, has left a posthumous 
Tragedy called Coriotanus, which will be exhibited at Covent 
Garden early this Winter in order to the payment of his 
debts, which through his excessive ill economy and luxury 
are very considerable. Mr. Littleton, who was his great 
friend and procured him a place of good value about two 
years ago, has undertaken the discharge of the Tradesmen 
Bills, which were no less than thirty in Richmond and Keu, 
where he had a House. His last poem, the Castle of Indolence, 
in Spenser's style and metre is, I think, worth your Lordsps 
perusal, being allowed to be the most intelligible, correct, 
regular and spiritted of all his performances. 

Mr. Garrick designs to entertain the Town this Season 
with two Dramatic pieces, a Tragedy entitled Irene by Mr. 
Johnson, whose English Dictionary, tho' in great forward- 
ness, is not like to appear these two or three years ; and a 
Comedy, by Mr. Moore, whose Foundling had so considerable 
a run last Winter. 

Our Operas for the ensuing season are to be of a new and 
Burlesque kind, which the Italians call Burlette. 1 

Mr. Richardson's Sequel to Clarissa is in the press, and 
will be compleated about the middle of November ; and Mr. 
Fielding's Novel called the Foundling will be published about 
the same time. His Bookseller had so great expectations 
from it that he gave him 600 for the Copy ; and Mr Little- 
ton, who has read part of it in manuscript, speaks of it in 
terms of high approbation. 

Mr. Warburton is employed in a new edition of Mr. Pope's 

1 From Bur/a, a joke. 



44 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

Works in 8vo in a very beautifull form, and I wish he may 
acquit himself in it with more success than he has done in that 
of Shakespeare, in which he has afforded materials for one of 
the most ingenious pieces of Satire that I have ever read. It 
is a pamphlet of 62 pages in 8vo, entitled A Supplement to Mr. 
Warburtons Edition of Shakespeare : being the Canons of Criti- 
cism and Glossary collected from the notes in that Celebrated work, 
and proper to be bound up with it. 1 These Canons of Criticism 
are drawn from Mr. W.'s Notes, and illustrated by exam- 
ples from them. They are an excellent piece of Irony and 
are 21 in number. This piece has had two Editions, and 
extremely humbled Mr. Warburton's pretensions to Criticism 
in the opinion of the public. 

The King of Prussia has resumed lately the Character of 
an Author, and it will be well for Europe if he will no other- 
wise employ himself for the rest of his Life. The subject of 
his last performance is an account of his own Family, which 
is published in the Memoirs of the Royal Academy of Sciences 
at Berlin. This Academy, which was founded in 1711, has 
been put upon a new and more extensive foot by this King, 
and their Memoirs, of which we have yearly a Volume, shew 
that the Members are men of eminent abilities. 

With my Compliments to my Lady and your whole family, 
I am, my Lord, Your Lordsps most obedt. and most humble 
Servant, 

THOS. BIRCH. 

TO THOMAS CAREW. 

Caledon, October iztA, 174.8. 

So kind and so entertaining a letter as your last ought to 
have met with a much earlier acknowledgement : but alass, 

1 By Thomas Edwards, barrister, of Lincoln's Inn. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 45 

dear Sir, my time has been consumed in Irish hospitality, in 
receiving and returning visits, in the ceremonious mysteries 
of Hobb Nobb, and in gathering in my Flax and Potatoes. 

I have of late studied very hard : but my studies have not 
been directed to Homer, Virgil, or any antient authors. 1 
have kept close to writers of a very modern date. To female 
writers, even to the illustrious Constantia Teresia and the no 
less Laetitia Pilkington. The latter is at a stop. The presses 
will not groan without money, and her stock is exhausted. I 
mean her stock of money. Not so the lively Teresia. But 
I am not at a loss to know a friend of mine to be Tartuffe. 
I have great expectations from the 24th of October. She is 
then to display Tartuffe, in what she will call his proper colours. 
How dangerous an animal is an enraged female. 

The letters of a Peruvian Princess have charmed me. But 
how shall I wade through Tom Carte's first volume ? I 
believe it must stand like a wooden book, unmolested but well 
ornamented in my library. 

I suppose this will find you at Crocomb. May it find the 
whole family well, for believe me, Dear Sir, you have all a 

most faithfull servant in 

ORRERY. 

TO DR. MEAD. 

Caledon, Nov. 141/1, 1748. 

WHEN I look at the date of your letter, my dear Doctor, 
I blush with shame. What shall I say for myself? Although 
I have real excuses I fly for refuge to your good nature. I 
dare affirm it is as extensive as your knowledge in physic. As 
I have so often experienced the latter, let me enjoy a noble 
instance of the former by receiving an immediate pardon under 
your own hand. 



46 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

I am glad you are preparing for us a new work. The 
Devil is so fine an excuse for all kinds of wickedness, that 
according to the general notions of him, we can have little or 
no sin. All our iniquity must be laid on his shoulder. . . . 
We have no Sciences here, not a book to be borrowed in my 
neighbourhood, not a man of learning to be conversed with, 
except my friend Skelton, by whom I wrote to you four or 
five lines. I ventured to recommend him to the honour of 
your acquaintance. 

As to my return, the time of the year allows me not to 
think of it for some months, at least. I have not yet fixed 
any time for quitting my Caledonian Territories. I am doing 
great works, and am a kind of Sovereign among my tenants, 
who are very numerous and tolerably loyal : but still I languish 
after my Friends, and like a tragedy heroe, am a little impatient 
till my part is finished that I may put off" these buskins and 
throw aside my robes to resume my own plain cloaths and 
live in quiet in my own house. But in every dress, in 
every country and in all seasons, I am, my dearest Doctor, 
Your own 

ORRERY. 



FROM THE REV. MR. PHILIP SKELTON. 

London, Knighfs Coffee House, 

Essex Street, Novr. izth, 1748. 

MY LORD, My affair hath kept me so busy, that I had 
not time to pay my respects to your Lordsp as often as the 
many obligations I have to your Lordsp required. 

I waited on Mr. West in the country and paid much respect 
to your Lordsp's letter, but being confined in a fit of the gout 
and surrounded with company, he could not look at my manu- 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 47 

script. He only gave me some usefull advice and gave me 
leave to return. 

I waited on Dr. Meade and Mr. Foulker, who received me 
very civilly, and enquired very kindly for your Lordsp. They 
both made me the usual tenders of their services, and asked 
me to come and see them, which I promised to do, but have 
not yet had leisure to repeat my visit. 

Soon after I put the first part of my work to the press, 
Mr. Millar, a very enterprizing bookseller, articled to give me 
400 sets of the whole in sheets. Of these I am at liberty to 
dispose of one half here and the other in Ireland. As to my 
own Country, I make no question of my setting off 200 there, 
but I am in some fears, as I am a stranger, lest I should not 
find means to pass so many here. 

People may call this the centre of news, but I never was in 
a place where there was such a dearth of that valuable pro- 
duction ; news, being one of those things that grow as they 
proceed, is, I believe, always least as it is nearer the fountain. 
No mortal talks here of any thing else than the new Mistress, 
who arrived here a few days ago from Hanover. She is very 
young and beautiful, but the cast Goddess is immensely rich. 
She and her wealth stay at Hanover. 

My most humble respects and best wishes attend good 
Lady Orrery and all your Lordsp's most agreeable family. I 
am, my Lord, your Lordsp's most obliged and most obedient 

humble Servant, 

PHIL SKELTON. 

FROM DR. MEAD. 

Ormond Street, Novr. 30^, 1748. 

MY DEAR LORD, Your Lordsp's letter of the I4th gave 
me, as yours always do, so much pleasure that if I had reason 



48 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

to complain of your Lordsp's slowness in returning an answer 
to mine, it immediately made me amends by the satisfaction 
which it brought of hearing of your wellfare, and receiving 
your commands. There is only one thing which makes me 
unhappy ; that is, that it will be some months, nay, perhaps 
some years, before we shall enjoy you here. How do your 
friends here envy those in Ireland their happiness ! 

I shall take care to give Mr. Lond proper directions con- 
cerning the medals for Pliny, etc. 

I hope, in two or three months' time, to have the honour 
of entertaining your Lordsp with a little book De Morbis 
insignioribus qui in Bibliis memorantur. In which, if the 
Divines are angry that I have not allowed the Devil power 
enough, it is because I think they have given him too much. 
It is plain he is a weak adversary, because he is a Coward : for 
the Scripture says If we resist him he will flee from us. 

I have had the pleasure of seeing Mr. Skelton but once, 
though I desired him to call upon me. I dare say from what 
your Lordsp is pleased to say of him, that I shall improve 
more by his company than by my own ; but his studies, as 
your Lordsp observes, have given him a melancholy turn, 
which ought indeed to be cured by frequent conversation. 

With most humble service to Lady Orrery and all your 
truely noble family, I am, with greatest respect, My Lord, 
Your Lordsp's most obedient and faithfull Servant, 

R. MEAD. 
FROM MR. BIRCH. 

London, Decemr. zotA, 174.8. 

MY LORD, Your Lordsp's favour rec d last post but one 
calls upon me for my best acknowledgements, and reminds me 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 49 

of giving you some account of the state of the learned world 
since my last. 

Mr. Richardson has at last finished his Clarissa. The 
performance is certainly a most excellent one and may be of 
great use, if the length and seriousness of it do not so much 
discourage an age of remarkable indolence and levity. 

Mr. Fielding's novel, called the Foundling, in 6 Volumes, 
was expected before this time, but will not be published before 
the middle, or perhaps end, of next month. Humour is the 
chief characteristic of it, though I am told by my friends, who 
have seen it, that it is not destitute of the instructive and pathetic. 

The Burlettas in the Hay-market have banished thence all 
the nobler music of the grave operas, and these new musical 
farces seem more generally adapted to the taste of the audience 
than the greatest performances of Handel, from whom we 
expect nothing till Lent shall call for his Oratorios. 

Dr. Middleton's larger work against the notion of 
miraculous power subsisting in the Church after the Apostolic 
age, of which he gave us the scheme in his Introductory Dis- 
course about two years ago, was published last week, and the 
whole impression of 3000 sold off in one day. 

Monsr. Otter, a Member of the Academy of Belles-Lettres 
and Inscriptions at Paris, has given us likewise in two Volumes 
in 8vo an account of his travels into Turkey and Persia, 
whither he was sent about the year 1734 by order of the 
Court of France. It is dedicated to Count de Maurepas, and 
is drawn up in the form of a Journal. The author went from 
Constantinople to Ispahan in Company of the Persian Am- 
bassador and returned with the Turkish. One of the greatest 
curiosities in it is the anecdotes relating to Kouli-Khan Achmet, 
Basha of Babylon, who supported himself in his government 
there by ballancing between the Turks and Persians. 

VOL. II. D 



50 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

The French Nation are applying themselves again to the 
cultivation of literature, which met with considerable interrup- 
tion from the war. Count de Maurepas, who is at the head 
of their finances, is encouraging a magnificent Work of fifteen 
volumes in 4to, containing a general and particular Natural 
History illustrated principally from the King of France's own 
Cabinet. The chief directors of it are Monsieur de BufFon and 
Monsieur d' Aubenton, two members of the Academy of Sciences. 

My compliments attending my Lady and your whole family, 
I am, my Lord, Your Lord's, etc., 

THOS. BIRCH. 



TO DR. MEAD. 

Caledon, Janry. i$th, 1748-49. 

YOUR last most obliging letter, my dear Doctor, should 
have been answered sooner, had not it found us in the midst of 
great anxiety for our little daughter, who was upon the point 
of death in a Fever. When death seems to threaten any of 
our family, so evidently, it is a sign we are at a distance from 
you. The King of Terrors dare not come so near us when 
you are within our call. But you will be glad to know, 
according to your usual humanity, that the child is now 
recovered and running about the house as usual. 

In my solitary walks, I sometimes reflect on the great and 
happy change I shall find in religion and politics at my return 
to England. When my affairs called me into this Kingdom, 
Rebellion was scarce extinguished, the Clergy were roaring at 
the Devil, the Pope and the Pretender. Europe was in arms, 
the Goddess of discord was triumphant. Thank Heaven ! 
The face of the world is changed. The Temple of Janus is 
shut. The Pretender is sent with his hands tied in a ribbon to 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 51 

some very distant climate, and the Pope is fairly vanquished 
by Mr. Boyer, as his Friend the Devil by Dr. Middleton. 
The Clergy may spare their lungs for the future and the 
Government remain secure. . . . Indeed, my dear Doctor, 
so glorious a revolution would tempt a man to leave his 
potatoes, but since I have sowed them I must see them grow. 
In the meantime I waft my sighs towards Ormond Street, and 
shall continue to do so till I can put myself under the pro- 
tection of your own Dea Salus. But I must confess that your 
letters hitherto have kept me in perfect health. Can you 
wonder if I desire a frequent repetition of your prescription ? 

Lucy not only murdered sleep, but murdered Pliny : I 
shall endeavour to gather up his scattered limbs again and try to 
revive him. Whatever orders you give to Pond, I will ratifye. 

Lord Burlington's son gives us real joy. I shall trouble 
Ld Burlington with a line or two on the occasion. 

Adieu, my dearest Doctor, believe me impatient to assure 
you personally how truly I am your own 

ORRERY. 



TO DR. BARRY. 

Caledon, January 2%t/i, 1748-9. 

DEAR DOCTOR, Your reproaches are very just. I have 
no excuse to plead but idleness. I am busy all day with my 
planters, and playing all the evening with my Children. I am 
so happy to be freed from lawyers that I almost detest pen 
and ink, least it should draw me insensibly into a law suit. 
Of this there can be no danger with you, so I stand inexcus- 
able. I will amend my course of life and be more punctual 
for the future. In truth, I never was so happy in my life. 

Lucy has been at death's door. There was a time when 



52 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

such a shock, and it was a great one, would have demolished 
me for some weeks, but I am become a sturdy oak, and the 
whole family now are oak saplings, except poor Lady Betty, 
who, I think, is more of the willow kind. 

I wish Dr. Nat l all imaginable prosperity. Is it possible, 
an old woman can dye ? Some of them, I hear, can run mad. 
I would have them all locked up as mad people when once 
they become troublesome to the world ; which they fail not to 
do as soon as they become old women. 

Lord Boyle is rambling the Lord knows where, with 
whom, (I mean, besides dogs and horses) so that he is diverted, 
I care not. I believe he will scarce go to Dublin this tour, 
especially when Nat is away, who is \i\sfidus Achates. 

What an immense long letter, my dear Doctor, have I 
wrote to you. Let me hasten to my gardener with great 
shame, for few words would have served to tell you that my 
heart, whatever becomes of my pen, is all your own. 

ORRERY. 



FROM MR. MARTIN FOLKES. 

London, April zist, 1749. 

MY LORD, I beg leave to return your Lordsp my most 
humble thanks for the honour of your kind letter. The busi- 
ness of Electricity has a good deal employed us this last year, 
though we have only been able to discover some wonderful 
facts which are without doubt of great use in the system of 
nature, tho' I fear far out of our reach in the least to be 
understood. 

I was the other day with our friend Dr. King, who is just 
gone out of town, and I saw Dr. Meade, who always expresses 

1 Dr. Barry's son. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 53 

his great respect for your Lordsp. Tho' we admire your way 
of life, we cannot help lamenting your absence from so many 
of those who so truly honour you. If I might any way be of 
service here I hope you will command one that is most sincerely 
and with the greatest respect, my Lord, Your Lordsp's, etc., 

M. FOLKES. 

P.S. There is a strong report of a comet that has been 
seen within these last few nights. I have not yet attempted 
to sit up and see it. I presume your Lordsp has heard Cap" 
Harden's book is preparing concerning the antiquity of Egypt. 
1 20 plates are already finished, and the rest are going on with 
all diligence at Copenhagen. 



TO THE REV. JOHN MAXWELL.i 

Caledon, April 26tA, 1749. 

GOOD SIR, Nothing but the unhappy situation in which 
for some months past the illness of my children has involved 
me, should have hindered me from writing to you, in case 
that any circumstance had occurred which might have been 
necessary for you to know or for me to communicate. Be 
assured, my thoughts of you and my intentions towards you, 
are the same as ever. But indeed, poor Lady Betty still 
makes me at once a happy and an unhappy parent. She is 
now at your relation's house (Fellows-Hall) in a very painfull 
tedious illness. She receives there all possible care and 
comfort in this situation. Lady Orrery and I, one, or both, visit 
her constantly twice a day. Alass, Sir, what are classics, what is 
learning, what is thought, when a beloved Child is in danger ? 

Irene I attempted to read. I could not go through it. 

1 Probably a publisher. 



54 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

It is a beautiful story spoilt. Tragedies and Dictionaries are 
different. Success and good fortune are always the same : 
the two last, I hope, will attend you. If merit is not your 
obstacle, I should not have the least doubt. Believe me ever, 

your true humble servant, 

ORRERY. 

TO DR. KING. 

Caledon, May znd, 1749. 

MY DEAR DOCTOR, Your new acquisitions of Fame may 
please me, they cannot surprize me. Fame, if a shadow, 
must naturally follow such a Sun. I have not lately written 
to you, having passed all these last eight months amidst 
Doctors and Apothecaries : not on my own account, for I Ve 
never had better health, but on the account of two of my 
children (the Mesdames Betty and Lucy), who have both been 
in the utmost danger and have laboured under a very tedious 
illness. They are now recovered, and that usual flow of 
spirits, which proceeds from a tranquility of mind, and which, 
like the Thames, is gentle, smooth and even, without ever 
being too full, is again returned to me. In this disposition 
I am preparing to set sail for England, having been called 
to Marston by an affair of consequence which requires my 
presence. I shall leave this house on Monday sevennight, 
and propose to be in the neighbourhood of Froome about 
the beginning of next month. Lord Boyle accompanies me. 
Our stay in England will be no longer than our business 
requires, which probably may take up about two or three 
months. But it will be time enough to talk of our intended 
motions when we meet. Where shall that happy interview 
be ? I should chuse London, as I must be there in June. It 
is a great satisfaction to me to be thus called unexpectedly to 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 55 

the pleasurable improvements of your conversation. I have 
lived with Yahoos. I shall hope soon to converse with 
human creatures. And you know me ever to be, my dearest 

Doctor, your own 

ORRERY. 

TO DR. MEAD. 

Caledon, May %th, 1749. Monday. 

DEAR DOCTOR, I am setting out for Ormonde Street. 
I intend to leave this old castle on Monday next, an un- 
expected affair of consequence having called me to Marston. 
From thence I shall soon turn my horse's head towards your 
museum, and although my stay in England, and at London 
particularly, will be but short, yet I shall endeavour to make 
it as happy as I can, by passing as much of my time as possible 
with you. 

You may be certain 1 have many letters to write upon 
this occasion, nor would volumes suffice to tell you, what must 
be comprised, like an Iliad in a nutshel, that I am, my dearest 

and ever honoured Doctor, your own 

ORRERY. 

TO THOS. CAREW, ESQ. 

Caledon, May 15^, 1749. 

DEAR SIR, I should have wrote to you long ago, if any 
circumstances from Caledon could have proved amusing or 
entertaining, but for some months past they have been the 
contrary. Lady Betty has been frequently very ill, and Lucy 
has been at death's door. Thank Heaven, he was not at 
home, or at least refused her admittance. At present we are 
all in good health, except Lord Boyle, who has been bruised 
by a fall from his horse : he is daily growing better, and as 



56 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

soon as he is able to travel, will accompany me to England. 
Prepare your strawberries and cream, for I propose to be in 
Lincoln's Inn Fields in June. When some affairs to be 
transacted at Marston are finished I must again return to my 
potatoes. I wish you would come over next year to taste 
them. We have had, till within these few days, a very dreary 
season, which, as a Planter, gave me no disgust, but as a 
farmer sometimes made me a little impatient. At present 
it is the finest weather possible : and even hot, in the North 
of Ireland. Three years and half are now passed since I have 
seen Marston. I hope to find my hamadryads there in perfect 
health, and their shady habitations making a great progress 
towards the arch of Heaven. Trees are the best monuments 
that a man can erect to his own memory. They speak his 
praises without flattery, and they are blessings to children yet 
unborn. Every gentleman in Ireland is become a Planter. 
I doubt the spirit is not so universal in England. Yours, 

ORRERY. 



TO MR. JAMES BALLANTINE. 

Dublin, Ntrvr. yth, 1749. 

GOOD SIR, Thank you for your congratulations on my 
arrival. We had the finest passage possible, after staying 
at Chester and Parkgate near a month. Business, notwith- 
standing my impatience to be at Caledon, will detain me here 
till February. Then I will hasten down to my Hibernian 
Hamadryads on Orrery Hill, and to that great monarch Rex 
Nobby, equorum facile princeps. 

The verses 1 on Sir Watkin Williams are the composition 
of Mr. Alderman Cooper of Chester : a better Alderman 

1 Some rather poor lines written on Sir Watkin Williams' death. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 57 

perhaps than a Poet. I am sorry to find they were ever 
mistaken for mine. I am determined never to write any 
serious pieces of poetry without putting my name to them : 
and, indeed, I think I am almost as fully determined never 
to attempt the poetical strain again. The flights of youth 
may be excusable, but in the middle age of life we ought to 
prefer the utile to the duke. 

At my return to Caledon you must teach me instead of 
my son Edmund to read. For I live so constantly amidst 
Balls, Festinos, Drums, bad plays and nonsensical Farces, that 
in all probability I must begin again at my Alphabet. You 
may guess therefore that I live for others, not for myself; 
but no gaieties can ever make me forget you, or be less than 
I am, good Sir, your true and faithfull humble Servant, 

ORRERY. 

TO WILLIAM COWPER. 

Dublin, Nov. nth, 1749. 

SIR, I am extremely obliged to you for the account you 
have sent to us of Winstaye. As the news is good, your 
letter, if possible, is still more acceptable. I cannot wonder 
that you should be inspired at the sight of so melancholy a 
spot of ground, which was of much more fatal consequence to 
England than the larger Gulph that swallowed up Curtius was 
to Rome. 

The civilities which we received at Chester, the kind notice 
shewn to three strangers, and the particular favour of your 
company have made deep impressions on our minds. We 
retain a gratefull sense of every particular. Ccelum non animum 
mutant qui trans mare currunt. 

Dublin is extremely gay, although we have no bulls bated, 
nor any Quaker pilloryed. Cards, Balls, Drums and Festinos 



58 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

make our evenings pass joyfully, and the mornings are consumed 
in dressing, visiting and doing no business in the Senate. 

Lord Boyle and Mr. Worsley are your true humble 
servants : join with them, I entreat you, your faithfull 

ORRERY. 



EXTRACT OF A LETTER TO THE EARL OF 
ORRERY. 

In the Kings Bench. Fryday, Novr. i jth, 1 749. 

LADY MARY CoKE 1 brought into Court by her husband 
called Vise 1 Coke. 

Sr Richard L. Loyd of Councel for Lord Coke, moved 
to file the writ of Habeas Corpus and Return : 

The Return was : That Dame Mary Coke is the lawful 
Wife of Lord Coke, and resides in the same house with him : 
nevertheless he has her body here, as by the said Writ he is 
commanded. 

Sr John Strange of Councel for Lady Mary then said 
that he had very little to trouble the Court with at present : 
for as his Client had been confined for some time past, and 
her relatives and friends desired to see her, they could not 
now lay her case before the Court. He should therefore only 
move that the several persons which he should name might 
be allowed access to her, in order that they might take proper 
directions to prepare articles of the peace which she intended 
to exhibit against her husband : and as a prosecution was 
likewise soon to be commenced in the Commons, that she 
might also have Civilians and her Proctor to attend her. 

1 Lady Mary Campbell, youngest daughter of John, znd Duke of Argyle, married 
in 1727 Edward Viscount Coke, son of the ist Earl of Leicester. This marriage 
being without issue the earldom became extinct. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 



Persons to have access to her. 



59 



Dutch 55 of Argyle. D. of Argyle. Earl and Countess of 
Dalkeith. Earl and Countess of Strafford. 1 Mr. Mackenzie 
and Lady. Earl and Countess of Bute. Lady Har. Campbell. 
Earl of Pembroke. Sr Jno. Ligonier and General Campbell. 

Lord Coke consented to the before List ; and said that he 
hoped that such of these as came to his Wife would act as 
friends as well as Relations. 

Some of the Personages whom I observed in Court. 

Dukes of Dorset, Devonshire, Queensbury. Earl and 
Countess of Bute. Earls Gore, Burlington, Hallifax, Leicester, 
Ancram and Countess. Earl and Countess of Strafford. 
Effingham and Countess. Dalkeith and Countess. General 
Howard. Sir Jno. Ligonier. Sir Robt. Sutton. Mr. Mac- 
kenzie. Mrs. Greenville. Mr. Henry Fox. Dutchess of 
Argyle, Rutland, Queensbury. Lady Har. Campbell. Lady 
Glenorchy. Lady Betty Germain. And many others whom I 
did not know, nor could get informed of. 

The Ladies were on the Bench : the Gentlemen were as 
near them as they could conveniently be seated. 

Lord Coke brought Lady Mary Coke into Court : she was 
in black, with a black hat. When Lady Strafford saw them 
come in, she fainted away. When Lady Coke got upon the 
Bench and saw Lady Strafford in the fainting fit she likewise 
swooned and was a long time ere she could be recovered : 
during which Lady Mackenzie and Lady Har. Campbell were 
upon their knees with smelling bottles, etc., assisting the two 

1 The Countess of Strafford was sister to Lady Mary Coke, as were also the 
Countesses of Bute and Dalkeith, and Lady Harriet Campbell. The Countess of 
Dalkeith, whose second husband was the Right Hon. Charles Townshend, was 
later created Baroness Greenwich in her own right. 



60 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

fainting Ladies. The poor Dutch 53 of Argyle wept bitterly : 
tho' there was a splendid appearance, yet there was scarcely 
ever seen a more melancholy one. Every body seemed sensibly 
touched. I must own I was much affected, and one must be 
void of humanity not to have shared in the distress. 

The Lady was in a bad way all the time that she appeared 
in Court. Her Lord behaved with indifference and uncon- 
cernedness. He was very unwilling to allow of the above 
mentioned persons having access to her, but his Council in 
whispers intimated to him that he had better come in, for that 
if he did not give his consent, the Court would allow the 
access without it. 

I fancy Articles will be exhibited next week, when She 
must again make her appearance, but I hope that she will then 
be in better spirits. 

Lord Coke's Council are Sr Richd. L. Loyd, Mr. Ford 
and Mr. Jodrell. 1 



TO LORD ANDOVER. 

Dublin, No<v. zoth, 1749. 

MY DEAR LORD, I am honoured with yours of the 
1 8th October. I took the liberty of sending your Lordship 
the verses on Sir W. W.'s death at the request of the Author, 
who desired that your Lordship in particular might have a 
Copy. The author's name is Cowper. He is a Surgeon and 
an Alderman of Chester. He had great obligations to Sir W. 
I never saw the Verses till I saw them in print, and to me 
the author appeared a better friend than a poet. Your 
Lordship's grief on the unhappy occasion made you judge 
favourably of a poem which otherwise would rather have 

1 To this extract there is no signature. 






THE ORRERY PAPERS 61 

excited mirth than sorrow. I will boldly avow the character 
in prose, which I believe you must have seen in some of the 
newspapers. Nothing but the repeated request of the poetical 
Alderman could have induced me to the trouble which I gave 
you. On the subject itself I must be silent, for I ought not 
to plunge you into the torrent of my own grief. 

My two fellow travellers join with me in compliments to 
Lady Andover and your Lordship. I am extremely glad to 
hear that Lord Aylesford l is well. I am to him and to your 

Lordship a most obedient humble Servant, 

ORRERY. 

TO DR. MEAD. 

Dublin, Nw. zist, 1749. 

MY DEAR DOCTOR, Although I was welcomed on shore 
by your obliging letter in answer to mine from Marston, yet 
this is the first moment in which I could find time to answer 
it. Our moments here fleet away in various pleasures. We 
cannot remember ourselves because we are not ourselves : and 
we can only recollect such friends who are distinguished by 
so superior a brightness that their influence and warmth are 
felt daily, and who, by shining in a distant sphere, are adored 
by us amidst all our follies, and confusion. Such are you, my 
dear Doctor. 

Our Lord Lieutenant continues pretty well. He is 
extremely acceptable by his politeness and affability to every 
body here. We pay our Court with as true duty and 
devotion as if we were Frenchmen, and Lord Harrington the 
grand Monarch of Versailles. But alass ! what have you to 
do with our Courts or our Irish entertainments : let me be 

1 Heneage, Earl of Aylesford, was brother-in-law to Viscount Andover, who died 
without succeeding to his father's Earldom of Berkshire, which eventually devolved 
upon the grandson, Henry, Earl of Suffolk and Berkshire. 



62 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

contented if at this distance you sometimes remember your 

ever obliged and true humble Servant, 

ORRERY. 



FROM RILEY TOWERS, ESQ. 

January znd, 1749/50. 

MY LORD, I have enclosed to your Lordship under four 
covers a Pamphlet which is much esteemed here as extremely 
well wrote, Observations on the Mutiny Bill. Lord Egmont, 
is supposed to be the Author, and I hope it will contribute to 
your Lordship's amusement. 

All last week the Candidates for Westminster and the 
Council were employed in settling the Terms under which 
they were to proceed on the Scrutiny demanded by Sir George 
Vandeput, and have not yet determined them : but it is 
generally understood the ballance will be found for Lord 
Trentham. The Speaker has been moved to call the Member, 
but has refused it. Sir John Strange has had the offer of the 
Rolls, and has taken a fortnight's time to consider of it, as the 
two Chief Justices have been extremely ill, and are not quite 
recovered yet. The Citizens of West 1 and their Representative, 
Sir Peter Warren, are very busy in planning an Act of Parlia- 
ment on the same foot as the Irish Civil Bill Act for Recovery 
of small debts in a summary way. 

I had the pleasure of sitting two hours with Dr. Lee, who 
enquired for your Lordship. He told me he had the honour 
of being a fellow student with your Lordship at Oxford. I 
am, with most sincere respect and esteem for your Lordsp and 
family, and with best wishes for many happy new years, My 
Lord, your Lordp's most dutiful, etc., 

RILEY TOWERS. 






THE ORRERY PAPERS 63 



TO RILEY TOWERS, ESQ. 

Dublin, January i^tfi, 1749/50. 

SIR, You make me a person of great consequence by 
the early information which you give me of news stirring in 
London. The scene of action here is confined within so small 
a compass, and so unvaried, that you must accept of thanks 
instead of news for the packets which you send me. 

Give me leave to ask you some few questions about the 
Theatres ? And as an inducement that they may be answered, 
I will send you some account of the Dramatis Personae in 
Smock Ally. 

We have two new Actors just entered upon the Stage. 
Their names are Diggs and Mossop. The first is an English- 
man. The latter a native of this Country. Diggs is the son 
of the late Colonel Diggs, and is nephew to Lord Delaware. 
Mossop is the son of a Clergyman, and is just come out of the 
College. Diggs has a very fine person : tall, well shaped and 
genteel : the carriage of a Gentleman and an Action that 
always, or at least generally, pleases, and often surprizes. 
He seems to have been born for an Actor, and errs only by 
imitation, for when he acts merely from his own judgement, 
he seems to promise wonders. Mossop has a good person, 
manly, but no carriage : his action wild, ranting and irregular, 
but still improving after he has once gone through a part. 
His voice is very sweet and strong, but he imitates Quin so 
much, especially in modelling his voice, that it commonly 
sounds harsh and untuneable. Diggs is an Actor, Mossop 
will be one. 

We have Macklin and his Wife. They are both excellent. 
They boast a little daughter who is to appear soon as Countess 



64 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

of Rutland in a new Tragedy of the Earl of Essex written by 
Brooks. 

Young Gibber is a young Lord Foppington. He struts 
finely on our Irish Stage, but his person has not dignity 
enough for Buskins. 

Our Women, I believe, are more fit for private than public 
action. When they appear Queens and Princesses, they still 
put us in mind of Drury and its hundreds. 

Now let me enquire after the Garrick, the Quin, the 
Barry, and that sweet Syren, Mrs. Gibber ? Have you any 
Harlequins ? Any new Plays, or any old Dramas revived ? 

I entreat you, if possible, to make my Compliments to 
Dr. Lee, whom I esteem with true honour. I often reflect on 
the many hours which he allowed me to pass in his company 
at Oxford, and I own there is inexpressible pleasure in the 
remembrance of such a Companion. Adieu, dear Sir, believe 
me yours, 

ORRERY. 



FROM RILEY TOWERS, ESQ. 

January <)th, 1749/50. Tuesday. 

My LORD, I had the honour of your Lordsp's yesterday, 
and, as your Lordsp has been so good to permit, shall trouble 
you once a week with whatever occurs here, that will be any 
Amusement to you. 

Lady Mary Coke is a good deal better, and, by what can 
be learned from their friends, I fear they will go on with their 
suit next Term. If the scrutiny had produced any publica- 
tions your Lordsp should have had them, but none have yet 
appeared. The Contest is, who shall be allowed good Votes ? 
Those who pay poor money, or the housekeepers in general. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 65 

Mr. Leigh, the High Bailiffe, has given his opinion that all 
housekeepers Inhabitants have a right to vote, and takes in, in 
his opinion signed by him, Scotland Yard, Old Palace Yard, 
the Admiralty, Whitehall and the Mews : except such as are 
his Majestie's menial Servants, and also allows the Watermen's 
Votes, on which footing Lord Trentham will most certainly 
carry his Election. 

Mrs. Phillip's affair is laid at Lord Scarborough's door, 
and some say the Chancellor is much offended at her. 

Yesterday Sir John Strange kissed the King's hand on 
being appointed Master of the Rolls. 

I am, with the greatest duty and respect, My Lord, Your 
Lordsp's most dutifull, obliged and obedient Servant, 

RILEY TOWERS. 



TO DR. KING. 

Dublin, January i8M, 174.9/50, 

MY DEAR DOCTOR, Although my thanks come late, yet 
they are sent as soon as I have received your speech, a 
learned present which must prove an honour to any Library 
where it is placed. 

The death of our Friend is a subject that I should chuse 
to wave, did not that part of your Speech demand particular 
approbation. Were a man conscious that he was to receive 
such a monumental inscription as you have bestowed on Sir 
Watkin Williams, methinks he could meet death with pleasure 
rather than with regret. After what you have published, it 
may be said our Friend died suddenly, not untimely. I have 
often thought that many men are as happy in their deaths as 
others have been in a long applauded life : for many men 
have lived to loose in one hour the Portion of esteem and 

VOL. II. E 



66 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

veneration that their whole former life could only attain to 
with the utmost difficulty and danger. I am persuaded our 
Friend was immoveable steady and fixt as the Sun. Yet it is 
happiness to land safe and unwounded on that shore from 
whence no traveller returns. Be all this as it may, it is a 
felicity to dye esteemed, regretted, and sung by Dr. King, 
because it argues the honour and happiness of having enjoyed 
his friendship durante vita. Business confines me to this City. 
My mornings are devoted to Rent-Rolls, Computations and 
the Marriage Settlement of my Daughter. The Evenings pass 
away amidst Drums (not Trumpets) and such idle deversions 
as ought not to be named to the Muses of Oxford. 

Receive the joint compliments of us all. Let us hear 
from you sometimes, that we may be convinced you deign to 
remember us in Ireland. 

Adieu, dearest Doctor, Ever, Ever yours, 

ORRERY. 

TO MR. THEOBALD RUSSELL. 

Dublin, Jan. 2$rd, 1749/50. 

I AM very glad to find, most illustrious Poet, that you are 
so happy in the sunshine of the real Phoebus. 1 His friendship 
to you is an instance of the excellence of his heart, which I 
have always observed to be entirely equal to the excellence of 
his head : each superior to the common run of mankind. He 
blooms and becomes splendid at a time of life when other men 
wither and grow dim. His lustre is the same if not greater 
in his evening than in the noontide of his day. Worship him, 
if you will oblige me. He desires, He expects, He will 
receive no other adoration than that of sincerity and honour. 
I know you are one of the Sons of virtue, and if I did not 

1 Dr. King. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 67 

know it by experience I should be certain of it from his favour 
towards you. Follow his advice : he is more capable (not 
more willing indeed) than I am to advise you. 

Send me some news of the mighty controversy going on 
in the University. A Bentam, a Burton, against a King. An 
Army of frogs against an Eagle. If they peep up their heads 
above their own mud, they must for ever bid adieu to croak- 
ing. Some papers, some Epigrams are stirring ? Are there 
not ? If not, more shame for the young Poets than I dare 
express. Try to amuse me sometimes : for to say truth, I 
have little relish for the amusements of this Town, altho' I 
mix in them all, and am as well known at the Assemblies and 
the Playhouses as if I had never looked into a book nor ever 
had a fit of the Gout : Ignorance and Idleness triumph here. 
Oh ! Russell, how I languish for my own country, yet in all 
places am truly yours, 

ORRERY. 



TO WILLIAM COWPER, ESQ. 

Dublin, February ist, 1749/50. 

SIR, I find myself in the same situation that I was in 
some time agoe, much in your debt for many agreeable per- 
formances that have given us great pleasure. I must take 
them all in the lump and return my thanks in general ; for, to 
be particular would fill more than this sheet of paper. 

A virulent paper or pamphlet against Dr. King has been 
shewn to me lately. I know not the Author, but he seems 
almost as severe upon Dr. Ratcliffe and the Trustees as upon 
Dr. King. He is very dull, and yet his scurrility is of a kind 
that ought to be answered. In the mean time the Doctor 
appears to me like a noble Eagle flying high in the air and 



68 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

basking himself in the Sun, while his enemies are like so many 
frogs croaking in a dirty pool, and constantly pelted, when- 
ever they thrust up their heads thro' the scum of the water. 
I am, Sir, your very faithfull humble Servant, 

ORRERY. 

FROM DR. KING. 

London, Feby. 6th, 174.9/50. 

MY DEAR LORD, Your letter was most welcome to me, 
and your approbation of my Speech has given me great pleasure, 
especially at this juncture, when I am attacked by all Orders 
and Professions, by all Sects and religions and No-religions, 
by Giants and Knights, Squires and Dwarfs, Women and 
Children. These new Criticks will allow me no more learning 
than Melmoth will allow me morals. I could, however, easily 
bring myself to forgive all their invectives if they had not 
taken uncommon pains to alienate the affections of some of 
my old friends. But under all these persecutions I am as easy 
as if nothing had happened, as if I had not an Enemy in the 
world. I neither lose my appetite or break my rest. I am 
conscious to myself that I have done my duty in that station 
in which I have been placed to the best of my skill and 
judgement. 

But let me quit this apologetic turn of moralizing into which 
I have fallen before I was aware, and congratulate you on 
Lady Betty's marriage. Mr. Gary told some months ago that 
she was to be married to Mr. Worsley of the Isle of Wight, a 
young gentleman extremely well esteemed by all his acquain- 
tances and very likely therefore to prove a good Husband. 
I am, my dear Lord, Your Lordship's most faithfull Servant, 

W. KING. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 69 

FROM RILEY TOWERS, ESQ. 

Feb. lotfi, 1749/50. 

MY LORD, Last Thursday about one O'Clock we were 
most violently shocked at Westminster Hall. We shook to 
that degree, it was feared the building was coming down. The 
Terror was universally spread, as all parts of London and 
Westminster felt it. And at first it was imagined it proceeded 
from the blowing up some Magazine or Powdermills ; but our 
Terror encreased when we found from all accounts it was an 
Earthquake. We had some days before a very extraordinary 
light in the sky, and that followed by very violent storms of 
thunder, lightning and rain. 

Still proceeding on the Scrutiny. There is now a vacancy 
for Middlesex in the room of Sir Hugh Smithson. The 
Duke of Somerset's death has vacated his seat. Nothing new 
worth sending your Lordship. I am, with my most and 
sincere affection and duty to your Lordship and family, my 
Lord, your Lordsp's most dutifull, obliged and obedient 
Servant, 

RILEY TOWERS. 



FROM SIR JAMES WORSLEY. 

I RECEIVED with great joy your Lordship's letter by the 
last post, and am delighted to hear that the expedition I used 
in forwarding the Articles was soe well seconded in the con- 
cluding the Marriage in which I have great hope we all of us 
shall have cause to rejoice. I wish it suited with your affairs 
that we might have the honour of your Lordship's and Lady 
Orrery's company at Pilewell sooner than you give us to hope. 



70 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

But my Son might come with his Lady and Lord Boyle, who 
may be pleased with retiring from the Beau Monde, of which 
they have had enough by this time to satisfy reasonable people. 
And my son has now an Estate which will require his attention. 
And your Lordship may well think we are very desirous of 
having the pleasure of dear Lady Betty's company as soon as 
may be. My Wife writes to Lady Orrery and to our dear 
Daughter by this post ; therefore with my hearty wishes of a 
lasting joy to us All, I beg your Lordship to believe me Your 
most affectionate Brother and most humble Servant, 

JA. WORSLEY. 

P.S. Having sent my Amanuensis to London I find it 
pretty difficult for me to write, so hope our dear Daughter 
and Son will give me leave to make my Answer to them by the 
next Post. 

Pilenvell, March i$t/t, 1749/50. 

FROM LADY WORSLEY. 

Pifawell, March i.1th t 1749-50. 

MY LORD, The joy which the Alliance with your family 
gives is inexpressible. The sweet disposition of your daughter, 
with her other amiable qualities will certainly make my Son 
the happiest of men. I hope he will, with me, do all in his 
power to make my dear Daughter the happiest of her Sex ; it 
shall be the business of my life to make everything agreeable 
to her. And, my Lord, I must again beg leave to tell you the 
vast pleasure I have in subscribing myself, Your Lordship's 
Most Affectionate Sister and very humble Servant, 

RA: WORSLEY. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 71 

COPY OF A LETTER TO THE COUNTESS OF ORRERY. 

Burghlay, Mar. 22, 1749. 

IT is so long since I had the pleasure of hearing from 
dear Lady Orrery that I fancy my last, which I wrote just 
before Xtmas, never came to your Ladyship at Caledon, and 
soon after had the satisfaction of hearing by a friend that you 
was very well and in Dublin, and in the newspapers last post 
informs me that Lady Boyle is married. If it be so, we wish 
Lord Orrery and your Ladyship joy, and hope Lady Betty will 
be as happy as her friends wish her. The Gentleman I do not 
know, but am sure 'tis in his own power to be quite happy in 
a Marriage State ; for no body can have a better character 
than Lady Betty has. I hope this will bring Lord and Lady 
Orrery again to England, for it is now many years since they 
left us : though I cannot say England is more agreeable than 
it was. Rather the reverse, for nothing is thought of but 
gameing, and now an hundred is nothing for to be set upon a 
Card. Where this will end I cannot tell, but I fear in the 
ruining of many families ; even the Earthquake did not dis- 
appoint them of any pleasures, but I hear the thoughtfull part 
have left it for fear of another, which they have too much 
reason to fear upon all accounts. 

Lady Nassau Pawlet has married the worst of Rakes. His 
name is Dalawell. 1 His Father has a very good estate, Lives in 
Northumberland. I believe her Ladyship is old enough to be 
his mother, but she took a great fancy to Mr. Foot at the 
Little Play House, and he went about every where in her 
Chariot, and she entertained his Company, but this Foot is 

1 One of the wild Delavals of the North ; whose property eventually lapsed to the 
.Astleys of Melton Constable in Norfolk, and the Carpenters of Lord Tyrconnel's 
family. 



72 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

married, so as he could not have her, but recommends his 
friend, and it is reported she has settled upon Mr. Foot 
1500 a year, and Dallawell, it is said, is to give him a Sum of 
Money. **Tis a sad thing she had no friend that would lock her 
up, for fear she has been mad for some months, 'tis to be 
hoped they will now take her Children from her. The Ladies 
has all got a Twerl, I fear ; for there is a story about Town 
that Lady Doddington Montague is married to a foot soldier, 
and went off with him to Dover, where he was followed and 
arrested. Every one of her friends have taken pains to 
persuade her not to marry this Creature. He has been 
drumed out of the Regiment for doing something wrong. 
Another affair furnishes Conversation at present, which is Lady 
Jane Bridges having been denied admittance into her Mother's 
House at ten o'clock at night. Tis said that Lady Carnarvon l 
has given her cruel usage some time : and not long agoe, when 
Lady Jane was drest to go to Mrs. Holmon's Assembly with her 
Mother's leave, and the appointment made of going with a 
Lady she approved, when the time drew near she told Lady 
Jane she should not goe. Lady Jane remonstrated that 
she had served her so several times w th out any reason for it 
and she had always submitted ; but she had now set her heart 
upon going, should doe a very rude thing in disappointing the 
Lady, and without her Ladyship would give her a sufficient 
reason for refusing her, she begged her pardon if she resolved 
to go without her leave : accordingly she went, and came home 
in a Chair at ten o'Clock. When her footman knocked at the 
door there was no entrance, and a Servant of Lady Carnarvon 
called from the Area That his Lady was gon to Bed, and 

1 Lady Catherine Talmash, widow of John, Marquis of Carnarvon, eldest son of 
James Dryden, first Duke of Chandos, whom he predeceased, and daughter of Lionel, 
Earl of Dysart. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 73 

ordered the Street Door should not be opened. Lady Jane 
bid him carry a Message to her Mother, presenting her duty, 
and that she begged she would be so good to give her Ad- 
mittance, for she sat in the Street and did not know Jijjiere to 
goe : Answer was brought That she might go where she pleased, 
but she should not come there. Lady Jane cryed and sent 
once more to intreat admittance : and if that was not granted 
begged an order where she should go : she believed her sister 
Lyons would not be agreeable to her Ladyship, and she knew 
of no other place she could go to at that time of night. Her 
answer was from her Mother, that she did not care where she 
went ; she should not enter her house. So Lady Jane went 
to Mr. Lyons, and the next Morning sent Mr. Lyons to her 
Mother to know if she would receive her, and if not, to desire 
her Cloths might be sent her. When Mr. Lyons came to Lady 
Carnarvon's he found the House shut up and her Ladyship 
gon out of Town. So Lady Jane went to Coll: Inwood's, 
whose Wife is a Relation, and staid there. Lady Carnarvon 
returned in two or three days and drove to the Duke of 
Chandois. Asked if Lady Jane was there, the Porter said 
No : at which she put herself in a passion, and said she would 
have her. The Duke was at home and went down to the 
Coach. Asked her to come in, answered her Lady Jane was 
not in his house, that she had been to visit Lady Caroline, but 
was gone. She then abused the Duke, and swore so terribly, 
That his Grace left her and ordered the Street Door to be shut. 
She got out of her Coach, and knocked at the door like a 
Bedlam. Ten minutes cursing and swearing all the while with 
a Mob gathered about. A Servant of Duke came to her, 
desired she would forbear, lest the Hubbub should fright Lady 
Dutchess, who was with Child. * My Lady Dutchess,' says 
she, * D m her Dutchesship, I will have my Child.' At last 



74 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

she went to Colonel Inwood's, and sent for her Daughter 
down. Lady Jane sent her duty and came directly. Lady 
Carnarvon bid the Footman open the door of the Coach, say- 
ing to Lady Jane in a haughty tone, ( Come in, Madam.' Says 
Lady Jane, ' I come to know your Ladyship's Commands, but 

* must begg to be excused coming into your Coach, or going 
' with you. The usage you have given me has made me resolve 

* the contrary.' Accordingly Lady Carnarvon was obliged to 
go away without her. Lady Jane's friends are going to place 
her in a house by herself. Lady Carnarvon's behaviour is not 
to be wondered at, I think, for I hear she drinks very hard, 
and seldom sober, not even in a morning, and some think she 
has quarrelled with her daughter from a design of marrying 
some mean Fellow. 

I fear I have tired your Ladyship with this long Story, but 
it was so very extraordinary, I could not forbear sending it. 
My Lord and Lady Betty desire me to present their Compli- 
ments and congratulations to Lord Orrery, your Ladyship, 
and Lady Betty, and wishes all happiness may attend her, and 
am now and ever Your Ladyship's obedient humble Servant. 1 



FROM RILEY TOWERS, 

London, April yd, 1750. 

MY LORD, I was honoured with your Lordship's yester- 
day, and it gave me great pleasure to hear you intend so soon 
for London, as I shall esteem it my greatest happiness to 
be permitted to partake in the conversation of your Lordship's 
leisure hours here. 

The Commons yesterday agreed to a Clause in the Bill for 
granting Supplies for laying a duty of four pence a yard on all 

1 Signature not given. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 75 

Irish Sail Cloath of the value of fourteen pence a yard and 
upwards, and two pence a yard from ten to fourteen pence 
a yard, w ch duty is to continue so long as we give the prae- 
miums in Ireland for the exportation of that manufacture, and 
I most heartily wish they may not, next Sessions, attack our 
Linnen Trade. 

We are under dreadful apprehensions of another Earth- 
quake, which, we are told by some prophetic Genius here, is 
totally to swallow up the whole cities of London and West- 
minster, on Thursday night next at twelve o'Clock ; insomuch 
that vast numbers have, these three or four days past, being 
removing their families out of Town to avoid it. 

Dr. King left Town for Oxford on Saturday last ; was very 
well, and desired his compliments to your Lordship and family. 

His Majesty sets out for Hanover about the 2Oth. The 
Scrutiny is not yet over. 

My father and family join in duty and best Respects to 
your Lordship, my Lady, and all at Caledon, with, my Lord, 

Your Lordship's, etc., 

RILEY TOWERS. 



TO WILLIAM COWPER, ESQ. 

Caledon , April i6tA, 1750. 

SIR, I return you thanks innumerable, as I have received 
innumerable printed and manuscript poems, etc., from you ; 
but you will add to your many favours if you will send me 
an exact account of the Earthquake that has happened in the 
City of Chester. The newspapers tell us that twelve houses 
and the Townhall are fallen down by the Shock. As I have 
received no Account of it from you, I cannot suppose it true, 
and should be particularly sorry that it has damaged a City in 



76 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

which I have so many friends, and that it approaches so near 
to this Kingdom. 

Nothing but an Earthquake can disturb our quiet here. 
I must soon quit this peaceful! Scene for the noise of Dublin : 
a City which is now in as great Confusion as possible, by our 
guineas being dipt in such a manner as to want six or eight 
Shillings of the full weight. This misfortune, like all other 
public calamities, falls heaviest upon the poor, but is still 
sensibly felt by the rich. No money is current except at Card 
Tables, and there the Gentlemen are obliged to produce their 
purses, out of which the Ladies chuse the broadest guineas 
they can find. In the Country we are in a woefull situation, 
and unless I had most of my eatables within myself, 1 could 
scarce furnish a daily table. No expedient is found, and 
perhaps any thought of, to remedy this evil. Many of the 
Coiners are imprisoned, and a Taylor in particular (excited by 
the Reward of Two hundred pounds) has accused his Wife 
and Son as his Accomplices. A monster for the treason and 
more so for the treachery. Whether Earthquakes under 
ground will affect Ireland or not, I shall not prophecy, but 
from some circumstances I am afraid she will soon feel a shock 
of one kind or other. For these and other reasons I shall 
remove all my Family this Summer, and shall shew them the 
way as soon as possible. I am, Sir, your very humble Servant, 

ORRERY. 
TO DR BARRY. 

Caledon, April 16, 1750. 

MY DEAR DOCTOR, While I stay in Ireland I shall leave 
the Earthquakes of England to be splved and to be feared 
by the little English Philosophers. But I own I dread an 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 77 

approaching Earthquake in this Kingdom, which, wherever 
am, must be felt by me, and what is worse, will certainly affect 
my friends. Whether it will burst forth from the bowels of 
the Earth, or whether it will come in the Thunder of the Skies, 
cannot be foreseen : and many symptoms there are that fore- 
tell a horrible Shock to this unhappy Island. I do not 
pretend to guess whether Lucas, Lucifer, Latouche or some 
English Belzebub is to strike the blow, but I 'm of opinion, 
that a blow will be strucken that will penetrate through the 
bowels of our Kingdom, and will leave us Sine nomine Corpus. 
You will fancy that these gloomy thoughts proceed from the 
melancholy hue of the Country, which is still leaveless and 
still a prey to the coldest blasts of Boreas, but I assure you 
they proceed from the Accounts sent to me by my friends ; 
and from the great confusion which is occasioned by the 
miserable state of our Coin. The remedy hitherto pursued 
has been worse than the Evil. Orders have been sent not to 
receive the Taxes which belong to the King, in Guineas. We 
have no other Coin in which we can or ought to pay his 
Majesty. We are to take Guineas from our Tenants, we must 
not pay them to our Landlord. The poor, who never fail 
to imitate the higher powers, refuse to receive, this Week, those 
pieces of gold which they paid us, the last. How must we 
buy bread ? We may run in debt for Claret, but veal and 
pork must be paid for. At Whisk, indeed, any Money may 
pass, or let the gentlemen produce their purses and the Ladies 
take their choice of what pieces they like best. But, if when 
we have quitted the Whisk Table (at which I wish to stay as 
long as possible) our money is of no more value than counters, 
I believe we shall be necessitated to adjourn our parties of 
whisk into England. All, all will center there. 

Chester has had its earthquake, Heaven preserve Dublin. 



78 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

Enough of Earthquakes. Let us think of something to relieve 
our sinking spirits. 

The D. of Bedford is to be our future Ld Lieutenant, or I 
am misinformed. But what have I to do with future Lord 
Lieutenants ? I shall be in England, out of hearing of the 
Castle Minuets, out of reach of the royal chair and, what really 
makes me melancholy, separated from my friends in College 
Green. However, there is so strict an union between us (an 
union by which, as will always be the case of an Englishman, I 
am a gainer) that I flatter myself no distance can lessen our 
affection ; and absence, once past, only serves to heighten the 
joys of a Return. 

As I begun, I must end in, my melancholy strain, which 
perhaps the croaking of my Rookery has occasioned : I hear 
beauty flies from us, and quits the Liffy for the Thames. We 
shall be so deserted at this rate, that I question whether Sin 
will stay amongst us, unless it is to keep company with the 
three rebellious Com rs and the old Chairman who prints 
treason against Sr R. C. Adieu, 

ORRERY. 



TO HIS EXCELLENCY HENRY BOYLE. 1 

Leicesterfields, Novr. z^rd, 1750. 

MY DEAR LORD, I have lately seen honours bestowed 
upon me which I knew, without any information, must be the 
gift of your hand. I cannot be more your own than I was 
before, but believe me most truly sensible of your goodness to 
me. I do not find that it is absolutely certain that his grace 
of D. 2 is to be our Lord Lieutenant. The knowing people, or 
the affectedly knowing, say there are to be various changes ; 

1 Speaker of the House of Commons in Ireland. 2 Dorset. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 79 

and that there are various struggles and great workings within 
our mountain of state. When it bursts, some people will be 
knocked on the head : but thank Heaven, I am out of the 
reach of this Vesuvius. 

I am sorry to tell you that the noble head of our family, 
Lord Burlington, is in a dangerous state. He was seized with 
an apoplexy at Cheswick on Tuesday last, as he was preparing 
to ride out. At the time he fell into the fit, he was alone, 
crossing a little paved Court and opening an iron gate. He 
recovered sufficiently to rise and make some noise, so that the 
Servants came to assist him. He fell a second time and 
remained speechless and senseless that day and night : yesterday 
he recovered his speech and senses. He has gone through all 
the operations necessary on these occasions, but to day he is 
lame on one side and still continues very ill. A dead palsy is 
to be feared, if not death. So that I wish I could give you 
the least glimmering of hope on this melancholy occasion, for 
every prospect seems dreadful. I thought it incumbent on me 
to write to you, my dear Lord, although my letter must give 
rise to sensations very different from those with which I would 
willingly inspire you. I would ever give you joy and never 
give you pain. If I have the happiness to hear of a recovery, 
which seems at present almost despaired of, my pen will fly 
very swiftly over the paper. All future bad news, if it must 
take place, I shall leave to others, for its with great regret I 
have gone through this irksome task. 

Adieu, my dearest Lord, I am, and so is Lady Boyle, to 
you and to your family, a most afP e and true servant and 

Kinsman, 

ORRERY. 



8o THE ORRERY PAPERS 



TO DR. BARRY. 

Leicester/bids , Nwr. z^rd, 1750. 

MY DEAREST DOCTOR, I hope Lady Orrery has informed 
you in what manner my time is taken up, otherwise I must 
appear inexcusable for this long chasm in my correspondence. 
When I received your last, Lord Chesterfield was gone to Bath, 
and, since his return, I have not seen him. That affair must 
have been long ago settled, and, I hope, to your satisfaction. 

This post will carry to Ireland various accounts of the 
melancholy and dangerous state of my noble relation, Lord 
Burlington. That which I now send you may be depended 
upon as a true one. 

On Tuesday Lord Burlington went in the morning to 
Cheswick, and was preparing or intended to ride out, perhaps 
back again to London. He was crossing a small paved Court, 
and had opened an iron gate which leads, as I remember, to the 
front Court of his house, when he was seized by an apoplexy 
and fell down, but before his servants came to his assistance, 
he was endeavouring to rise, and fell a second time. He 
remained speechless and senseless all that day. Lady Bur- 
lington, who was in London, was sent for ; and he was attended 
as soon as possible by Dr. Taylor the physician and Dr. 
Middleton the Surgeon. They sat up with him all night, and 
by loosing thirty ounces of blood and being blistered on his 
legs and other parts of his body, he yesterday recovered his 
senses and, in some measure, his speech. Dr. Mead was sent 
for to Cheswick, but could not go till yesterday, as he does 
not stir out in the evening. This morning Dr. Mead (from 
whom I have parted not a quarter of an hour) has seen Lord 
Burlington, who is come to his senses, but is lame on one 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 81 

side and remains still very ill. A palsy or death will probably 
be the end of this unhappy situation. His melancholy family 
are with him, Lady Burlington, Lord and Lady Hartington, 
who has a young son that is one of the finest children of his 
age, and of whom Lord Burlington has ever been extremely 
fond. 

I know, my dear Doctor, my name will be mentioned on 
this occasion. I must leave you to do me justice. I never 
have given myself any airs, or formed even any private hopes 
from the affinity I have the honour to bear to my Lord 
Burlington. My views are all centered within my own family. 
I go no farther in conversation, nor even in thought. Dis- 
positions, settlements, or schemes of domestic affairs, are not 
topics that delight me. If I can bring myself to look after my 
own affairs I think I perform an herculean labour, and therefore 
I never trouble myself with distant views ; so that you must 
learn from others those particulars which perhaps any other 
man in my situation could have told you. But you must have 
observed that I know more of Horace than of any parchment, 
deed, or marriage settlement whatever, and therefore you will 
excuse the pedantry when I say Del vitam, det opes, aequum mi 
animum ipsc parabo. 

Lord Boyle joins with me in all compliments. Hamilton 
is at Oxford. I am in perfect health and ever yours, 

ORRERY. 

Thursday afternoon, 3 oY/oofr. 

TO HIS EXCELLENCY HENRY BOYLE. 

Leiceiterfields, Nrvr. 24*^, 1750. 

MY DEAR LORD, After what I told you in my last, that 
1 would not write unless I had better news, you will be glad 

VOL. II. F 



82 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

to see my hand again. Lord Burlington is much amended 
yesterday and again today ; so that there are great hopes of 
his life. Whether he will be perfectly restored to the use of 
his limbs, remains yet a doubt. But we may rejoice at this 
alteration, and may hope for a more perfect recovery than can 
yet be assured. I shall not write again unless you wish to 
have me continue my accounts, and your commands are ever 
to be obeyed most readily by one who am, my dearest Lord, 

your own 

ORRERY. 

FROM HENRY BOYLE TO LORD ORRERY. 

Dec. ye jth, 1750. 

MY LORD, I cannot but say that I have been much dis- 
concerted since my reading the part of your Lord ps letter relative 
to the sudden manner in which Lord Burlington was deprived of 
his speech and senses, from which, with the other circumstances 
attending it, I must confess myself more than apprehensive of 
the most fatal consequences : your Lord ps goodness, in com- 
municating the particulars of this want to me, shocking as they 
are, demands my best acknowledgem ts , but the very kind and 
gentle manner in which you have done it, inflames the account 
beyond the compass of my talent ; we have this day four 
packets due, and the wind still adverse to further intelligence, 
I dread, yet I wait the arrival of them with impatience ; if I 
receive no accounts from your Lord sp by then, I shall from 
thence conclude the rest, my thoughts will then respect what 
more immediately relates to the honour and interest of your 
family for which I always shall, as I ever have had, the sincerest 
regard. I took leave to hint in a late letter to my Lady 
Orrery something concerning the Council board in this King- 
dom, little at that time suspecting what I now fear the case is, 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 83 

you will therefore now pardon me if I do not hesitate at saying 
that Lord Boyle has a right to demand it of you to enter your 
claim to one honour in particular, which has in a manner been 
hereditary in the Earls of Cork, two there are amongst us here 
who will certainly solicit it for themselves, but as it would 
Grieve me to see this feather pluck'd out of your Cap which 
I am confident will not be refused you if you ask it, so for 
that and a thousand other more material reasons, I trust 
you will not decline it : I have taken this liberty on the 
terrible apprehension that all is over at Chiswick, turn it as 
you please, but do me the justice to believe that it has pro- 
ceeded from the perfect esteem which I have for my much 
honoured Chief, for Lord Boyle, and for each individual 
belonging to you ; this affair is in the immediate province of 
the D. of Dorset, for we are told that next packets will 
certainly inform us of his being declared our Lord Lieu 1 : I 
know how nearly you stand related to each other ; surely you 
may speak to him concerning it, he knows your figure and the 
interest you must necessarily have in this Kingdom, which 
cannot but have their due influence on his situation, especially 
in a matter, which no man, whatever his pretensions, in any 
degree equal to yours, nor resent or even take amiss its 
being continued to a family which for generations past has 
inherited it, and to speak yet more plain, should think no man 
of honour ought to attempt to interfere with you in it ; I 
cannot but think that however the fate of this most valuable 
Lord may have been determined, for indeed he had many good 
qualities, you must in your degree have resolved in your mind 
the consequences of appearances so strong against him, in 
which case the two particulars I have promised to take notice 
of, Lord Treasurer and Privy Council, could not well have 
escaped your observation, if this finds you in a temper of mind 



84 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

doubtful as to the probability of your succeeding in it, I pray 
you that this my representation may be taken into considera- 
tion, and be allowed its proper weight ; the Honour when 
obtained will be permanent, for the Profit arising from it is 
but a trifle, and I will pawn my life upon it that, let the 
Mountain burst when it may, it will never reach you in this 
abstracted situation, which is really Irish and altogether inde- 
pendent of the Politicks of our neighbouring Kingdom. 

I fear but my Affection may have carried me too far, but 
I hope to be the more readily excused when the Honour so 
justly due to you and your merit have been my only motives 
for it : your Lord ps friends here, and they who have the 
honour of being allied to you are very intent on this point, 
but none more so than my Lord, your Lord ps most obedient 

humble Servant, 

HEN. BOYLE. 

My best respects attend Lord Boyle. 

TO THE RIGHT HON. HENRY BOYLE. 

Leicesterfields, xth 2Ot/t, 1750. 

MY DEAR LORD, The six packets that came from Ireland 
brought me last night your two letters, both filled with that 
friendship and affection that are at once the honour and the 
comfort of my life. 

No excuses, my dearest Lord, as you love me, for any 
advice that you offer to me. There was some time when it 
was necessary for me to revolve in my thoughts the situation 
that you hint at. I am convinced you point out to me the 
right road. I shall act a part that need not make you blush 

for me if , but I '11 say no more at present, than that 

there is no immediate prospect of such a scene. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 85 

Lord Burlington's life is out of danger : he may live many 
many years. But it is to be feared he will ever be lame : 
however, there are even favourable circumstances in that point. 
Poor Man ! I pity him from the bottom of my soul. And 
although I have great reason to think he has forgotten, and 
will forget so insignificant and so distant a relation as I am 
(for our common ancestor has been dead above one hundred 
years) yet I shall ever honour, ever esteem him, ever speak of 
him with the deference that becomes one whom he once 
honoured with his countenance and regards. 

My comfort, my dearest Lord, is in you, whom I try to 
look upon as my brother and my friend. I will try to 
preserve your friendship and merit your affection : and there- 
fore, forgive me if I tell you that Sir Henry Bedyngfield came 
to me the other day, to know if you had any friend or any 
attorney whom you employed here. I answered you had a 
friend and servant in me, but, as to any Attorney, I knew of 
none. Why will you not employ me? I shall obey your 
commands most punctually if you think fit to trust me, and I 
am already fully apprised of the situation of Lady Dowager's 
affairs, Lady Betty Germaine, etc. I only offer my service : 
reject it or accept it as you please : but I shall be always happy 
in being your representative, for, in truth, my dear Lord, I am 
your own 

ORRERY. 

FROM MR. JOHN MEREWETHER. 

MY LORD, My brother the Rev. Mereweather, lately 
deceased, has appointed me, John Merewether, Batchelor of 
Physic, his Executor, and in his last will had these express 
words, ' / desire that an exact Catalogue may be taken of my books. 



86 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

' and shewn to my generous benefactor, Lord Orrery, in order to 
' chuse any books he likes, which I do most freely give his 
* Lordship' 

I have catalogued the most material part of the Study, 
which I have sent : the catalogue of the rest are to be perused 
by your Lordship's order at Foscoate when you please. I beg 
the favour of a letter from your Lordship as soon as possible, 
because the books are in the possession of the next incumbent. 

I have sent the Catalogue by the bearer, Mr. Jones, Linen 
Draper in Cheapside, London, who shall wait on your Lordship 
according to your order. 

I am, my Lord, your Lordship's most obedient, humble 

Servant, 

JOHN MEREWETHER. 

Be pleased to direct to John Merewether, at Chippenham, 
Wilts. 

THE EARL OF ORRERY'S ANSWER TO ABOVE. 

Leicester Fields, Feb. i+tA, 1750/51. 

SIR, This morning I received yours giving me the melan- 
choly account of my friend your brother's death. His kind 
remembrance of me has had the effect which it ought : but it 
cannot have heightened my opinion of him, nor my sincere 
reverence of his memory, although he had not distinguished 

me in so acceptable a manner. He was I protest, Sir, when 

I am to begin his character, with the sentence ' He was,' I can 
say no more. In future composed moments I will endeavour 
to do him all the justice that my thoughts can allot him. I 
have in pursuance to his will, marked out such books as I 
wish to place in my Library as the gift (I am sorry the last) of 
a most valuable man. But I must desire to be informed by 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 87 

you in what manner, or when, I may have them conveyed to 
Marston. Any letter directed for me in Leicester fields will 
come safe. 

Methinks, Sir, I may claim a right to be acquainted with 
you. The brother of my friend must, even without your own 
character, be highly welcome to me. He had a Sister who 
lived with him, to whom I beg my compliments. I have 
delivered to Mr. Jones the Catalogue, marked by my hand X 
to distinguish the books I Chuse. As I am going out of 
Town soon, the more expeditious your answer the more 
obliging to, Sir, your most obedient Servant, 

ORRERY. 
FROM MR. JOHN LYON. 1 

Dublin , WiUiam Street, April ^rd t 1751. 

MY LORD, The Governors of St. Patrick's Hospital had 
a meeting last Friday to consider of a proposal made by Mr. 
Faulkner to give Two hundred pounds for the property of 
Dr. Swift's History of the latter part of Queen Ann's reign. 
This is so beneficial an offer towards augmenting the Author's 
charitable foundation : that as Trustees they think it ought to 
be accepted. And they incline the more to this opinion, 
because, if it were improper to publish that History, and were 
they willing to suppress it, they cannot do it. For it lies 
totally in the power of another person to publish ; the Author 
having deposited the Original with a friend to make it public 
in case it be not committed to the press, or be not printed 
exactly according to the Copy. The Governors called the 
Virger of St. Patrick's before them, to ask whether that copy, 
said to be now in your Lordship's hands, be all of his hand 

1 Secretary to the Governors of St. Patrick's Hospital. 



88 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

writing? He answered, that he had many years ago tran- 
scribed the whole work by the Author's directions, who had it 
compared with the Original and declared at the same time he 
would send it to London in order to be published. Mr. 
Faulkner was sent for, who told the Board that if his proposal 
be accepted, he will go to London in a little time and wait 
upon your Lordship for the book. His offer will be taken 
again into consideration at the next meeting, and in the mean- 
time, I am commanded to acquaint your Lordship with this 
affair, and have enclosed the resolution of the Board for your 
further satisfaction. 

I am, my Lord, with the highest respect, your Lordship's, etc., 

JOHN LYON (Secretary). 



FROM LORD BOLINGBROKE. 

(After reading Mr. Lyon y s Letter.} 

Battersea, Sunday Noon. 

MY removal into the Country, and those disorders which 
the Easterly Wind has revived in my crazy constitution, have 
made it impossible for me to wait on your Lordship and to 
enquire after your health. I do not see that you can stand 
out the siege, as you call it, any longer. But for my part, as 
I thought Swift's Pamphlet unfit to be published for a history, 
so I thought it not worth being kept. I hope to hear that 
your Lordship is quite recovered. I return you the letter 
your Lordship sent me, and am most sincere devoted to you. 

H. ST. J. L. B. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 89 

TO ERASMUS LEWIS, ESQ. 

Leicester Fields, Monday Afternoon. 

SIR, I am very sorry I was not at home when you gave 
yourself the trouble of coming here. I can only stir out in 
the middle of the day, and was unluckily gone to take the air 
when you called, in Leicester Fields. 

If it is not inconvenient to you, I could wish to see you 
tomorrow any time before half an hour after twelve : that 
being my hour abroad, in hopes of conquering by air and 
exercise a very troublesome cold that has hung upon me 
several days. 

In the meantime I enclose to you a paper which I desire 
you to consider and to tell me your real opinion, whether it is 
possible to delay the delivery of Doctor Swift's manuscript 
any longer. It is certain I have no right to it, nor, if I detain 
it, can I hinder the publication. The Original is in hands 
that are desirous on all accounts to print it. But I will say no 
more till I receive your judgement : being desirous to stand 
justified in your opinion, because I am, with the most perfect 
esteem and regard, Sir, your very obedient humble Servant, 

ORRERY. 
FROM DR. BARRY. 

May 2, 1751. 

MY DEAREST LORD, I have been some days ill and 
confined with a feverish cold, wh hindered me from writing 
sooner. I impatiently waited for Pliny, and at length 
received him in his Senatorial Habit, but these external orna- 
ments did not long engage my Eye, and for some time had 
not patience to read one, but wandered with delight through 



9 o THE ORRERY PAPERS 

the two Volumes, but read no part definitely. Next day I 
fixd my attention and made it my Companion till One in the 
morning after I went to bed. 

I read it over with a Lover's Eye. 

Thou hast no faults, or I no faults can spy, 
Thou art all beauties or all Blindness I. 

What immense pains and application must this finished and 
fine performance have cost you. This cannot be the pro- 
duction of Leisure Hours, and you need not be ashamed to 
own y* it took up as much time as the Siege of Troy. I never 
had an opportunity of seeing but very few of the Letters in 
manuscript, and those in the First Book ; but from y r peculiar 
happyness in writing Letters I was always sanguine in en- 
couraging yr Ldp to proceed. Any preceeding Translation will 
enhance the value of this, and I will venture to prophesie that 
its fame will last as long as the English Language is read and 
understood. I was agreeably surprized with the poetry, which 
I did not expect. You have certainly, my Ld, made the 
Translation of his Verses much more agreeable than in the 
Original, but I am always more delighted when I meet with 
yr own productions, wh I own have pleasd and surprisd me. 
If Pope was alive you may be assured he would not be pleasd 
with your numbers. They are too much like his own. 

This is too much from a friend, perhaps you '11 think, but 
as I write with the same sincerity with which I think, how 
could I avoid speaking from the fulness of my Heart ? The 
Designs of the Copperplates are beautifull and well executed. 
Vaillant 1 will make a fortune by it. G. Faulkner often wishes 
to be in his place. Ld Boyle could not have a finer introduc- 
tion into the world. Romano, cifo venturus in ora. You have 

1 A famous French bookbinder of his day. He presented Lord Orrery with a 
magnificent binding of his two volumes of ' Pliny/ 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 91 

placed him in the fairest point of Light, which will make his 
many excellent Qualities more conspicuous. But wither will 
my roving Imagination carry me if I do not sett Bounds to 
this Letter, and yet if this was not Subject I should not be 
able with my aching Head to have scribbled so many lines. 
My little Villa begins to ryse abone the Ground. I shall be 
happy there as Pliny was at Laurenti. Then as I have been a 
Slave to the town, I shall think my Garden and park an 
Elysian field where I can freely breath airs of my own. I 
shall sleep better and of course complain less of the Headach ; 
perhaps to I shall attempt to write, only with a view of attend- 
ing you in that immortal Fame w h you must enjoy. I am, 
my Dearest Lord, ever your Faithfull and Aff te 

EDW. BARRY. 
TO SIR JAMES WORSLEY. 

Leicester fields, May $th t 1751- 

DEAR SIR, I have been honoured with a message from 
the Princess of Wales. She commands me to tell you that 
two of the young Princes, Prince William and Prince Henry, 
are advised by their Physician to use the salt water, and to 
bathe in the sea. If it is not inconvenient to you or Lady 
Worsley, her Royal Highness would be desirous that the two 
Princes may be at Pilewell. You will be so good, therefore 
to lose no time in sending me such an answer as I may 
communicate to her royal Highness. I am, dear Sir, with my 
compliments to Lady Worsley, your most affectionate and 

obedient Servant, 

ORRERY. 

The two Princes are to go to Pilewell about the middle of 
June. 



92 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

TO HENRY BOYLE, ESQ. 1 

Leicester Fields, May i6tA, 1751. 

MY DEAR LORD, The gout hinders me from making use 
of my own hand to entreat you to give your attention to some 
papers which I shall send you soon, relating to Sir William 
Courtney, who has received such usage as will be thought 
perhaps worthy of public resentment. But I shall not mention 
at present any particulars of that case, hoping to have an 
opportunity of sending you a very full account by a friend of 
mine who will soon be in Ireland. Give me leave, in the stile 
of friendship, to add that Sir William*. Courtney is a gentleman 
for whom I have a particular respect and regard, and whose 
humanity and justice is such, that whoever opposes him in his 
just rights must be uncommonly outragious. 

I am, my dear Lord, your affectionate humble Servant, 

ORRERY. 

Lord Burlington is come to town, and, as they say, is much 
better, but he sees no Company. 

TO RICHARD PURCELL, ESQ. 

Leicester Fields, May i6th, 1751. 

MR. PURCELL, This is the fourth week, rather the begin- 
ning of the fifth, which has confined me in a regular but 
painfull fit of the Gout to my Chamber and great chair, during 
which I have had an opportunity of sending to Sir William 
Courtney your letter of February I4th. It is very certain 
from papers which I have lately seen, that the outrages 
committed against Sir William Courtney are not only extra- 

1 One of the Lords Justices of Ireland. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 93 

ordinary but punishable. To those points Sir William, no 
doubt, will give a proper attention, and I hope the Gentlemen 
of the Country and all honest men will exert themselves in so 
just a cause. Thus much in general. But for your particular 
part, I must insist upon your doing Sir William Courtney all 
the service in your power, as he is a gentleman for whom I 
have the highest honour and the greatest regard. You are in 
the Neighbourhood, and may perhaps perceive instances of 
misconduct or knavery. If so, pray fail not to communicate 
them to me, and I shall take care that the manner of convey- 
ing them to Sir William shall be safe and proper. In serving 
Sir William Courtney you will serve Your faithfull humble 
servant, 

ORRERY. 

TO THE COUNTESS OF SANDWICH. 

Leicester Fields, May iStA, 1751. 

MADAM, I am unhappy in not having so many oppor- 
tunities of putting your Ladyship in mind of an humble 
Servant as I wish for, and therefore your Ladyship must not 
wonder if I snatch any occasion that offers to assure you of 
my most constant and faithfull devotion. 

This Letter, Madam, is the prelude to another which I 
shall send by my daughter, Lady Betty Worsley, whose health 
requires her, I fear, to go to the South of France. In her 
way thither, I shall hope you will allow her to throw herself 
at your feet. She has an heriditary right to your protection, 
and the sunshine of your Ladyship's Friendship will be as 
chearfull and advantagious to her mind as the sunshine of 
Montpellier can be to her health of body. 

Mr. Garrick, the Roscius of our Stage, will have the 



94 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

honour to deliver this to your Ladyship. He is received and 
countenanced here by Persons of distinction and discernment, 
and he has my friendship into the bargain, of which I cannot 
shew him a greater instance than by introducing him to your 
Ladyship, to whom I am, with unspeakable and inalterable 
respect a most devoted and most obedient humble Servant, 

ORRERY. 



TO LORD BOLINGBROKE. 

Leicesterfields, July i^th, 1751. 

MY DEAR LORD, You may look upon this as an Epistle 
from one risen from the dead. I have really been so long 
upon the brinks of the other world, that I can scarce think 
myself returned to this : and while I stay in it my remainder 
of life shall be as private as possible. Indeed, it must be so, 
for I have not health to sustain a body that in years might 
be engaged in the famous cricket matches, but in constitution 
ought to make interest for a place in Hyde Park Hospital. 

My reason of troubling you with this letter (for some 
Irish visitors will detain me, I fear, this Week from Battersea) 
is to know if you have thrown away any of your idlest time 
upon the Translation of Pliny. If you have not, give me leave 
to place the two volumes at your feet. If you can bear the 
performance, the Author will think himself sufficiently re- 
compensed for all his pains and study. 

My dear Lord, answer this in two lines, and let one and 
a half of them be an account of your health. Live, my dear 
Lord, for the good of mankind, and forget not, even when 
he is buried in Somersetshire, your faithfull and affectionate 
humble Servant, 

ORRERY. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 95 

FROM LORD BOLINGBROKE. 

Tuesday. 

MY DEAR LORD, I rejoice to hear that you are so well 
recovered. The shock you have had has been, it seems, more 
severe than I thought it. You are, however, of an age to 
recover many such shocks, tho' I hope you will not have 
them. But for my own part, since you are so good as to 
enquire after my health, I will tell you very calmly that I go 
down the hill of life apace. Physical evils increase upon me ; 
and moral evils, to which I have been long exposed, do not 
lessen. There is one advantage in them ; the first makes 
a man tired of his existence, and the second makes him so 
of the World in which he exists. I have been this good while 
so much out of order in body and mind, that I have not had 
the free use of either, and I would not willingly read anything 
of yours till I am in a temper to taste it with an entire gust. 
I hope soon to be in that temper, for my health is a little 
better, and I am this very day delivered from a young fellow 
who was the torment of my Life. Whenever you can come 
hither you will give great pleasure to the Hermits of the 
place : and if you do not come, he will put you in mind of 
him by going to Leicester Fields. 

I am, my dear Lord, with true esteem, and a very warm 
affection, your most faithfull and most obedient Servant, 

H. ST. J. L. BOLINGBROKE. 

TO THE DUCHESS OF QUEENSBERRY. 

Leicester fields, Oct. i^tA, 1751. 

MADAM, As I intend soon to go to Marston, I most 
humbly beg the favour of your Grace to return to me my 



96 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

two pictures. I hope the request is not unreasonable or 
inconvenient, but the room being unfurnished, and the Pictures 
indeed being such as I am fond of looking at, your Grace, 
I flatter myself, will excuse this repeated sollicitation from 
Your Grace's most obedient, humble Servant, 

ORRERY. 

FROM DR. BARRY. 

Dublin, Jan. 6, 1752. 

MY DEAREST LORD, I have heard nothing of late of any 
design of vindicating the Dean's [Swift] character, and if his de- 
pendants, by printing an answer to yr L p Book, tis likely their 
splenetic resentment will evaporate in Words. For all I hear is 
chiefly from my Sons. I make it a general Rule never to intro- 
duce the Subject in Conversation ; those I have talked to were 
the Bp of Derry, Clogher and Clonfert. The former told me 
that Serj 1 Marshall he heard says Mrs. Vanhumrigh is not fairly 
represented, and has wrote to the Bp of Clogher for some 
Letters, but this was some time agoe. Evelyn has been 
presented to a living by the Primate. I heard one of my Sons 
mention him as the supposed Author of the poem on the 
Church yard, wh I find by yrs he has no right to. He is an 
intimate of Sheridan's, which I suppose gave occasion to rank 
him among the discontented tribe, but the Bp of Derry says he 
does not think he would engage in anything of that nature. 
What I have in the general observed on this occasion that it is 
impossible so early to write just criticisms on the Life and 
writings of an Eminent Author without giving offence to 
Some of his Dependants and admirers. They make no allow- 
ance for the beautifull circumstances wh adorn his character, 
and which are freely bestowed on him in several parts of your 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 97 

Book. I think this Subject does not deserve any further 
attention, and I should have passed over in silence what I 
heard, but that I thought it necessary that yr L p should be 
prepared for any of their weak schemes. The remarks that 
have been made are too just, otherwise they would not give 
offence, their vindication, if attempted, would be very 
temporary, his character is now indelible and will last till the 
End of Time. 

I suspect that the S l does not much like the Castle 

governors, nor they him. Some Schemes have been privately 
opposed, they want to fix power in other Hands, and he is 
and certainly will be immoveable in the Interest of his 
Country, however outward appearances show nothing of this. 

Marston must be very agreeable after the noise of London, 
yr Gardener's conversation will be more agreeable than yr 
Bookseller's, even when he speaks of a third Edition. Will 
you there form a design of some new work, or rather be 
content to enjoy that large share of Fame wh you have justly 
acquired ? About 20 years hence Remarks on the Writings and 
Life of Mr. P. 2 would be a Subject proper for your pen ; 
sooner it would be periculosae plenum opus aleae. I lament 
Ld B., 3 but am glad he lived to express his sentiments to yr 
L dp . Tho' this year commences with a new stile, I must end 
my letter in the old one in wishing to yr L dp and yrs many 
many happy years. I am, my Dearest Lord, ever most 
sincerely and affectionately yours, 

EDW. BARRY. 

1 Speaker. * Pope. 3 Bolingbroke. 



VOL. II. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 



TO DR. BARRY. 

Marston House, near Frontf, 

Somersetshire, February -jth t 1752. 

I MOST heartily thank you, my dearest Doctor, for your 
last kind letter, which I should have answered sooner, did not 
a perpetual round of busy idleness take up my hours un- 
accountably here. I am infinitely pleased with my new 
purchase : a most delightfull situation and vast command, and 
an old house 1 about a mile and a half from my own, that 
employs me in cutting ivy and pruning up old trees, and, if it 
rains, I have a large antique room to stretch my legs in, and 
a little closet of books within it. In the Summer I shall 
probably put up a bed in the haunted room, but, as I hope 
then to have a bedfellow, I need not fear the rattling of chains 
or the groans of a murdered traveller. There has been 
formerly a Park, but it is now turned to a farm ; however, 
many of the trees stand and are very beautifull. Time may 
repark it. 2 What is all this to you ? Alass ! what have you to 
do with Somersetshire ? Nothing ; but you see I cannot help 
talking with you of my delights wheerever I am. My mis- 
fortunes are my separation from you and my other friends in 
Ireland ; and the various difficulties of coming to you. Don't 
mistake me, I intend to come again. I am not afraid of those 
difficulties : but I must rest a little from my journey ; and 
then hoist sail for Dublin ; for surely, Ireland is not without 
her charms, and I intend to taste them at a proper season. 

As to writers against my late performance, I am perhaps 
too indifferent about them. I treat them, maybe, with too 
much contempt. But as yet, the few squibs that have been 

1 MillarcTs Hill, still in existence. 2 An unfulfilled anticipation. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 99 

let off at me have not disturbed me half so much, r.or seemed 
so dangerous, as the shoe-boys crackers in Leicester fields. 
Such as I have seen are in print, low in style, erroneous, 
impotent, malitious, if they knew how : wrongheaded and 
ridiculous. I treated them as a friend of mine used to treat 
silly and absurd books of devotion. I just looked into them, 
shrugged up my shoulders at the folly and threw them into 
the window seat among the foul linnen and various unseemly 
utensils. 

The Church Yard's Author's name is Evelyn of England ; 
but not even known to the person you mentioned. I am told 
some letters of Swift are to be published in Ireland. But I 
am apt to think the whole will vanish in smoke and vapours. 

I shall not appear in print again, if ever, for many years. 
I may sit down satisfied, but as I will never disguise my 
intentions, I think Edmund deserves a Work. I wish you 
could propose one to me. 

My Mare is neighing at my garden door, and I must 
go to Vallis to see an old lock mended, so adieu, my dear dear 

Dr., ever your own 

ORRERY. 

TO MR. JOHNSON. 

Marston House in Promt, near 

Somersetshire, February \$th, 17 $2. 

SIR, You will excuse me, I dare say, if I am a little 
troublesome by breaking in upon your studies by a Somerset- 
shire letter. The late relish that I had in London of polite 
literature is not yet totally worn out, and until I am absolutely 
rusted into a western kind, I must retain a pleasing memory 
of the hours which you allowed me to pass in your company. 
Be not frighted, dear Sir, I shall not often trespass upon your 



ioo THE ORRERY PAPERS 

better employments. Let us correspond with that friendship 
which is above ceremony. Let us write to each other not 
when we ought, but when we please. A forced letter because 
the clock strikes, is the most disagreeable task in the World. 
I would write as I would eat, just when my appetite prompted 
me. These are my preliminaries, and, as I know they are 
founded in true friendship, non alia mercede bibam ; or scribam, 
if the verse would allow it. 

We know nothing of what is passing in the World of 
Learning and Politics, except what we can pick out once a 
Week from the Bath Journal. The explanation of the articles 
falls generally to the share of the Curate, whose Comments 
are boldly and judiciously announced (amidst tobacco smoke 
and October) against Courtiers, Officers, Taxgatherers, Lawyers 
and Physicians, and sometimes a gentle whift is wafted towards 
Bishops. We be bould, and we do tailk better nor pretended 
patriots. That 's what we do do. This is the most important 
chapter of our history. 

A benighted traveller lay here about three weeks ago, and 
left by accident a paper on which I saw the Rambler had got 
a pair of boots. I hope they are of that sort which I remember 
my nurse told me went five miles at a stride ; if so, I may 
hope to hear that the Rambler intends to take a walk towards 
Marston. I shall be glad to see him in Boots, Shoes or 
Slippers. 

How does good Mr. Johnson? How is the fair En- 
chantress, whose appearance I dare say will draw many to 
her Castle ? I shall be glad to be thought a Knight Errant 
in her train, or to be of any real service to those whom you 
number among your friends, for I am with great esteem, Sir, 
your most obedient, humble Servant, 

ORRERY. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 101 

DR. BARRY TO THE EARL OF ORRERY. 

Dublin, March 4, 1752. 

MY DEAREST LORD, I was greatly pleas'd to hear that 
y r new Purchase exceeded y r expectation, and will make 
Marston even more agreeable to you. There has been an 
open Quarrel since the beginning of the Sessions between the 
Speaker and Primate, and a Coldness to give it a mild 
expression between him and the Castle. A Rumour was 
spread that the Speaker w d quit the Chair, and Ponsonby, 
who had joyned the Primate, visited most of the members. 
This the Speaker then openly resented, and declared that he 
would never quit his Friends while they supported him. 
Several material Questions have been discuss'd at the Castle, 
which the Speaker did not approve, and, since, an enquiry has 
been made into the conduct of the Surveyer General, who has 
expended over forty thousand Pounds in repairing and build- 
ing Barracks (in a very wretched manner) who was supported 
by the late and present Administration. It has engaged the 
Committee of the whole House for two Months. Ld George 
has exerted all his Force, and the Report comprises a large 
Volume. Three Days have been already spent in reading it, 
and on Saturday next the Resolution will be moved. It has 
grown to such a Height that it has engaged the attention of 
the whole Kingdom, and every one now considers it as the 
final Question, whether the Speaker is to stand or fall. They 
have gain'd a formidable Party among the rest, Jack Burk 
has quitted the Speaker ; each Side has summon'd their forces 
from all parts of the Kingdom. Ld George in a late private 
conference with the Speaker, said that he fought against him 
with more Disadvantage than he should against any other man 



102 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

living, for that he was so universally belov'd, 1 and his Friends 
attach'd to him in such a Manner, that he found them 
immoveabie ; he said that this Disadvantage was the greater 
since all the Strength of Promises and Menaces was used to 
shake them, and had terrify 'd several to a compliance. How- 
ever we shall certainly carry Everything by a fair Majority, 
and I believe they are now afraid their Resentment will not be 
kept within Bounds, but the Speaker will act with Resolution 
and Temper if his Country Friends who are now his chief 
Supports will suffer him, for many insist on expelling the 
Surveyour, who is a member. It is impossible in this compass 
of a Letter to describe the Spirit that prevails. The Speaker 
told the Ld-L 1 lately that he had been 45 years in Parliement, 
and seen all Parties of Court and Country, Whig and Tory, 
but that he never saw such Animosities and Divisions among 
Gen ts as at this Time, for that was not properly either Court 
or Country, Whig or Tory. The true Question is whether 
they should be govern'd by the primate, and an English Party. 
Ld Kildare constantly attends and is as Warm as the Speaker. 
Our Grand Debate will probably last till Midnight next 
Saturday. The Speaker dined with me twice within these six 
days and staid till one in the morning. There is great 
Reason to suspect the Bishop of Corke has been seduced by 
the primate. Some of his conduct has been so remarkable 
that the Speaker will never I believe regard him more ; but a 
little Time will clear up some Things that are now obscure. 
The House is every day full, tho' no material Business is 
under consideration, for each is afraid of their taking an 
Advantage if they had an Opportunity. This Affair already 

1 Lord G. Sackville's tribute to the character of Henry Boyle, Irish Speaker, and 
eventually ist Earl of Shannon, was amply borne out by facts. No man in the history 
of Irish Politics earned more public esteem on all sides, or more private regard from 
his friends. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 103 

begins to make a Noise in England. The D. of Dorset 
expresses the highest Regard for the Speaker, and I believe is 
uneasy that such Divisions in Parl' attend his Administration. 

[Sent thus unfinished and unsigned.] 



FROM DR. BARRY. 1 

Dublin, March 4///, 1752. 

MY DEAREST LORD, I was greatly pleased to find that 
your new purchase has answered your expectation, and will 
make even Marston more agreeable to you. I hear no more 
of the threats and malice of the poor wretched Junto. I believe 
Mrs. Barber wrote several of them : for the Doctor had all 
by heart and often used to repeat them, or rather, stammer 
them. Nat often bantered him on the subject. I never saw 
any in print, and heard two or three very dull ones read. 

There has been an open Quarrel since the beginning of 
the Session between the Speaker and Primate, and a coldness, 
to give it a mild expression, between him and the Castle. A 
rumour was spread that the Speaker would quit the Chair, and 
Ponsonby, who had joined the Primate, visited most of the 
Members. The Speaker then openly resented and declared 
that he would never quit his friends while they supported him. 
Several material questions have been discussed at the Castle, 
which the Speaker did not approve, and since an enquiry 
has been made into the conduct of the Surveyor General, who 
has expended above Forty thousand pounds in repairing and 
building Barracks in a very wretched manner, who was sup- 

1 This letter and the previous one from the same writer are so nearly identical 
that the two together would scarcely have been worth reproducing, but that the slight 
differences which exist complete the picture of the excitement then prevailing in 
Dublin and the intense heat of Party Spirit. The first of the two was clearly sent off 
in violent haste, and Dr. B. may not have remembered how much he had already 
described in it. 



io 4 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

ported by the late and present administration. It has engaged 
the Committee of the whole House for two months. Lord 
George l has exerted all his force, and the Report contains a 
large Volume. Three days have been already spent in reading 
it, and on Saturday next the Resolutions will be moved. It 
has grown to such a height that it has engaged the attention 
of the whole Kingdom, and everyone now considers it the 
final Question, whether the Speaker is to stand or fall ? They 
have gained a formidable party, among the rest Jack Burk 
has quitted the Speaker. Each side has summoned their 
forces from all parts of the Kingdom. Lord George, in a late 
private conference with the Speaker, said that he fought 
against him with more disadvantage than he should against 
any other man living ; for that he was so universally beloved, 
and his friends attached to him in such a manner, that he 
found them immoveable. He said that his disadvantage was 
greater, since all the strength of promises and menaces were 
used to shake them, and had terrified several to a Compliance. 
However, we shall certainly carry every thing by a fair 
majority, and I believe they are now afraid their resentment 
will not be kept within bounds. But the Speaker will act 
with resolution and temper, if his Country friends, who are 
now his chief Support, will suffer him, for many insist on 
expelling the Surveyor, who is a Member. 

It is impossible in this Compass of a Letter to describe the 
Spirit that prevails. The Speaker told the Lord Lieutenant 
lately, that he had been 45 years in Parliament and seen all 
parties of Court and Country, Whig and Tory, but that he 
never saw such animosities and divisions among Gentlemen 
as at this time : that this was not properly either Court or 
Country, Whig or Tory. The true Question is, whether 

1 Sackville. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 105 

they shall be governed by the Primate and an English Party ? 
Lord Kildare constantly attends, and is as warm as the 
Speaker. 1 shall give your Lordship an account of our grand 
debate, which probably will last till Midnight, next Saturday. 
The Speaker dined with me twice within these six days, and 
staid till one in the morning, which of late has been an early 
hour with him. There is great reason to suspect that the 
Bishop of Corke has been seduced by the Primate. Some 
circumstances of his Conduct have been so remarkable that the 
Speaker will never regard him, I believe, more. But a little 
time will clear up some things that are now obscure. The 
House is every day full, tho' no material Business is under 
Consideration, so he is afraid of their taking advantage when- 
ever they find an opportunity. 

I thought this account to your Lordsp necessary, who have 
been always anxious for the Honour and Dignity of our 
friend on whom the Happiness of this Country in a great 
measure depends. This affair already begins to make a great 
noise in England. The Duke of Dorset expresses the highest 
regard to the Speaker, and I believe is uneasy that such 
divisions in Parliament attend the administration. 

I am, my Lord, your Lordsp's, etc., 

E. BARRY. 

FROM LORD FOLEY. 

London, March ioth, 1752. 

MY LORD, When I had last the honour of seeing your 
Lordship, you were pleased to desire your name might be set 
down among those who would contribute towards the support 
of George Smabridge, the son of our late good and worthy 
friend. I have therefore taken the liberty to enclose to your 
Lordship the paper signed by the other four gentlemen, that, 



io6 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

if you approve of it, you may do him the honour of adding 
your name. 

We think fifty guineas a year, with what he will get from 
the College, will be a sufficient maintenance for him till he 
goes into Orders, and then the Primate has promised to pro- 
vide for him, which will not be above five years or thereabouts. 
Your Lordship will see by the enclosed paper that money is 
advanced from the first of January last, and so to be collected 
yearly. If your Lordship will please to let me know who you 
will appoint to pay the money here in Town, I will call upon 
him for it, and take care to transmit it to Mr. Smabridge. 

As I understand you have put off your lodging in town, 
I am afraid you design going from Somersetshire to Ireland 
without letting us have the pleasure of seeing you again in 
London. Wherever you are, I shall always be with the 
greatest truth and respect, My Lord, Your Lordship's most 

obedt. faithfull humble Servant, 

FOLEY. 

TO LORD FOLEY. 

Marston House, March i$tA, 1752. 

MY LORD, I return the paper your Lordship sent to me, 
signed with my subscription. I most humbly beg your 
Lordship's pardon for troubling you with receiving my ten 
guineas, but I dare not make the Bill payable to any bearer 
but yourself, as it goes by post. 

I have no thought, my Lord, of going into Ireland. On 
the contrary, my family are all coming hither. But as I love 
retirement, and am attached to this place particularly, I shall 
scarce visit London soon, unless your Lordship has commands 
there for your most faithfull and obedient humble Servant, 

ORRERY. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 107 

TO DR. BARRY. 

Mars ton House, March \%th, 1752. 

MY DEAREST DOCTOR, The post before the last brought 
me your exact account of the situation of my friend and 
Kinsman. You judge rightly, I shall always be anxious in 
those points which concern him, but my solicitude was entirely 
removed by the Votes of the H. of Commons which came to 
me yesterday. Stronger there cannot be : and every one rises 
higher than that which precedes it. Ne 1 seems to have 
proved a Badham to Ireland. But the triumph of my best 
and dearest friend is the chief object of my joy. His honour, 
his dignity, his power, his prosperity and his conduct are 
ever before my eyes, and where he is successful I am sure the 
success of the nation must follow. I have most true happiness 
upon this occasion ; and it is the greater as I am certain that 
you exult with me. 

Curiosity makes me enquire into the conduct of my friend 
Jack Burke. I should be sorry indeed if he had left us. I am 
willing to know how the Bishop of Corke conducted himself? 
Pray satisfy my Queries. 

As to Mother Barber, the Verses and the Son, they move 
not me. I am told Sheridan is at the head of all the Cavillers. 
But silence, the strongest symptom of contempt, is my rule. 
The Book that cannot defend itself ought to dye. The Book 
that can, ought not to be defended. 

I am very busy preparing bowers and planting roses for 
Lady Orrery. I am all alone, except my company of Work- 
men. More acceptable Companions than Ministers or lords. 

The Garters are disposed of: and the King is hastening 
abroad to beget a King of the Romans. 



io8 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

The last time I saw Lord Chesterfield, he spoke of you 
with true esteem. Dr. Mead is going so fast that his friends 
almost wish him gone. He has his intervals, however, but its 
the accidental blaze of an expiring fire. 

I am, my dearest Dr., ever your own 

ORRERY. 



DR. BARRY TO LORD ORRERY. 

Dublin, April 2, 1752. 

MY DEAREST LORD, I shew'd yr Letter to the Speaker, 
which pleas'd him greatly ; he read it over twice and was 
delighted with yr manner of approving his Conduct. He is 
still on distant Terms with the Castle ; he might easily be on 
whatever he desires, but it will be hard to reconcile him to 
such things as have past. The Bish p of Cork's conduct is 
more I believe to be imputed to an enthusiastic weak Head 
than a bad Heart, but his Behaviour has been somewhat 
unaccountable. Jack Bourke has been in open declar'd 
opposition. Ld Geo. asked the Master of the Rolls if he had 
not drawn up the last Resolution (of laying this Affair before 
the King) ; he said he had not, but ask'd why he imputed it to 
him, ' because * said Ld G. * there is something clever in it.' 
* Why then ' reply'd the Master, ' I assure yr L p I know 50 men 
who are strongly in Opposition, capable of drawing up such a 
Resolution, and further, My L d , I assure you I know six 
of the most sensible Men of y r Party who are ready 
to joyn us whenever we want them.' Where this confusion 
'tis yet hard to determine. I think the Scheme yr L p 
mentions too large and diffusive. Each particular Author can 
only be treated with general observations, all w h have been 
already made. How much has been said on Shakespear. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 109 

What has Addison left unsaid about Milton, and of Pope 'tis 
dangerous to say anything unless one joyns in the common 
chorus of Praise and Incense. I think a Plan of some Greek 
Tragedy, done in the manner of Philip's ' Distressed Mother,' 
which is partly a Translation, and where you may alter it 
as you see proper, and make it yr own, would be a fine and 
usefull Performance, and suit your Genius. Garrick would 
adore you for such a Performance. The Preface may afford a 
Dissertation on Poets and Poetry, and may be as long as you 
please. But some time must be allowed before yr Lordship 
can fix on any Subjects. But let it be simplex et unum from 
whence you can expatiate with Freedom. The former is too 
diffuse and large, and contracts the Mind in the Execution of 
it, can never shew a Genius, and must be either tedious or 
obscure. The Death of Hercules by Sophocles would, I 
think, afford materials for an English Stage. The characters 
of Dejanira, a female, but more amiable Othello, and of 
Alcides would be very great. Some new Ones must be added. 
I am, my dearest Lord, ever y r own 

ED. BARRY. 

TO THE REV. JOHN MAXWELL. 

Mar it on House, 1>th July, 1752. 

SIR, You should have heard from me sooner, had not 
illness deprived me for some time past of any possibility to 
write a Letter : but no matter, I am recovered and we will 
look forward and forget all disagreeable scenes past. 

You wish to know from me the State of literature. I 
could much sooner inform you of the state of ignorance. It 
is our glory at Marston to know nothing ; however, our 
unhappy neighbourhood to Bath forces us sometimes even to 



no THE ORRERY PAPERS 

hear the sound of Greek and Latin, and a Scholar breaks in 
upon our dullness, and the Rector fails not to bring him to 
the great House. By these means I shall now and then 
be enabled to send you some sterling pieces. I mean a 
Catalogue of them, which your knowledge in antiquity may 
relish, at least when I think I can add to your entertain- 
ment or satisfy your curiosity, you may be certain of hearing 
from me. 

Doctor Middleton's works are published in four pompous 
quarto volumes. We have some new pieces in the whole 
Collection, but most of them have been printed over and over. 
An imposition which the Public is obliged to suffer from every 
writer whatever. First we receive an Author's works printed 
in different sizes at different times and sometimes in different 
Kingdoms. Then he dies, and his Executors, in conjunction 
with the Booksellers, come forth with what they call all his 
Works, corrected, collected and adorned with prints, and his 
Life written by a friend, in which he is painted as a faultless 
person, and as such we are ordered to worship him. Be it so, 
but what's to be done then with the superfluous learned 
Lumber? I know not, unless the Legislature will interpose 
and order the Booksellers to take back their unfashionable 
goods, as Upholders take back their Mourning, at a small 
price for the hiring of it. 

Dr. Newton's edition of the Paradise Lost has not answered 
the expectations of the World. Perhaps we raise our expec- 
tations too high. Dr. Newton is a man of worth and learning: 
but people have carried their prejudices so far as to be angry 
at his Dedication. It is the first piece that strikes our Eyes in 
the Book, but suppose it written to the great Mr. Pulteney 
instead of the E. of B., 1 and should not we then change our 

i Bath. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS in 

Notes and sing panegyrics instead of satires. Remember I do 
not tell you by way of news that the World is full of Prejudice, 
Party, Caprice, Folly, Madness and a numerous et cetera. 
Posterity will be only fit to judge of the Works of the present 
age. 

My late friend Lord Bolingbroke has cost me many a 
sigh : not for his death, but for his Writings. Good God ! 
are abilities given to us only to attack the Being who gave 
them ? No sooner do we find ourselves giants in Knowledge 
but our first attempts are against Heaven. Thus we shew 
ourselves true Sons of Earth : Toads endeavouring to swell to 
the size of Oxen. Let the Man who attacks our present 
Religion point out to us a better, and then he will have a right 
to our attention. 

All the circumstances of the fire at Captain Maxwell's are 
true ; unhappily, too true. A Child burnt, and, after that, 
need I add every individual piece of furniture that could be 
destroyed by flame. 

Direct to me by way of London at Marston house near 
Frome in Somersetshire, where dwells immoveable at present 

your faithfull, humble Servant, 

ORRERY. 

FROM DR. JOHNSON. 

London, <)th July, 1752. 

MY LORD, Illness is an affliction so severe as to need 
every alleviation that the condition of our Nature can admit, 
and sure, there are some by which Pain may be mitigated 
though not appeased, and of those I should count one of the 
most powerful that which your Lordship enjoys, the conscious- 
ness that all who know you wish your recovery. 

I do not mean, my Lord, to except from the number of 



ii2 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

those who wish you well, even the Beings whom Idleness, 
Wantonness, or an opinion of their Wit incite to attack you in 
print, or to attempt your disturbance by private admonitions. 
I have lived long enough among Scribblers to know that every 
little Invective proceeds either from Malevolence, or Kindness, 
or love of Truth, or love of falsehood or any other Love than 
the Love of Writing. It would be a very severe censure of 
those who have attacked the Memoirs of Swift to say they hated 
the Author without knowing him, and more severe still to say 
that they could know him and hate him. 

I hope I shall always rejoice when I am the Occasion of 
good, and therefore congratulate myself upon the accident by 
which I introduced Mrs. Lenox 1 to your Lordship. She tells 
me with how much historical information you have been 
pleased to honour her, but thinks she has not clearly explained 
her Plan, which comprised not a complete Commentary on 
Shakespear, but only translations and Extracts from such 
Writers as he appears to have made use of. I believe he read 
chiefly Hall and Holingshead for English History. 

We have at present no literary news, but something 
undoubtedly the Winter will bring us. If it brings your 
Lordship to Town I will forgive any other disappointment 
and shall make no complaints of long nights and cold days. 

I am, my Lord, your Lordsp's etc., 

SAML. JOHNSON. 
TO DR. JOHNSON. 

Mars ton House, 12 July 1752. 

I HAVE received yours, dear Sir, and am most truly sensible 
of so strong an instance of your friendship. Nothing is so 

1 Mrs. Charlotte Lennox, author of Shakes fear Illustrated, 3 vols. 1753-4. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 113 

amuseing in so deep retirement and so indifferent a state of 
health as mine as the Correspondence of such a friend. A 
Letter of that kind constantly raises my Spirits and drives 
away the langour which is apt to secure pain. 

I hope I cannot often personally offend, and if my book 
gives offence, it ought to be candidly and openly attacked, 
which as yet has not been the case. At first I read some of 
the printed attacks upon it, but my Pride or my Reason found 
them so very low and despicable, that for a long time past I 
have not lost more time or thoughts about them : nor did I 
ever hear, nor do I desire to know who the Authors are. I 
forgive them. If their own Conscience can forgive them they 
may be perfectly easy. I cannot wonder that the book should 
be obnoxious in Ireland. Many of Swift's Sycophants are still 
living. Many expected to be flattered, for all who flatter love 
flattery. But in England the want of a dinner, I presume, 
has raised more Spleen and Vapours in empty stomachs and 
emptier heads, than any Passage whatever in the book. The 
love of writing and the eagerness of hunger has made more 
Critics than the best Computer can easily guess. 

I not only esteem and admire you, but must esteem and 
admire all your friends, because I am sure they are valuable. 
The papers which I sent to Mrs. L. have long lain by me : 
were thrown aside because I would not walk into Mr. P. and 
W.'s l province, who seemed to think that Shakespear was the 
Sanctum Sanctorum where they only were sufficiently holy to enter. 
She may do with the papers as she thinks proper. I have no copy 
of them. If even some words in them may be of service to her 
I am happy. Do not let her pay them too great regards. They 
are not mine : they are hers, and she has a right to do with them 
as she pleases. I shall soon write to her upon the Occasion. 

1 Pope and Warburton's. 
VOL. II. .H 



n 4 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

I am, dear Sir, with truth, esteem and gratitude, your 
Faithfull and obedient humble Servt., 

ORRERY. 



TO COUNSELLOR FORRESTER. 

Mars ton house, z$th July 1752. 

AFTER so violent an attack of illness as I have had, a man 
does not easily recover his Spirits to the degree necessary to 
write Letters. That is the reason, dear Sir, why you have 
not heard of me till now, in answer to your last. I rejoice 
that the fire was not near you, my apprehensions were very 
great, and your account, dreadful as it was, still gave some 
private consolation. Your reflections upon the Miseries of 
human kind are very just, and could I avoid the pain, I should 
not be sorry to find my Constitution of a sort that promises 
an early release from a Scene of anxiety and sorrow, of doubts 
and fears ; besides a numerous train of Evils too long to be 
mentioned and too gloomy to be thought of. Is it worth a 
Man's while, then, to disturb the Religion of his Country ? to 
make People more unhappy than they are? certainly, it is 
not. Were Parts given to us for that purpose ? Or are we 
to retire from Society only to prepare Mines of Gunpowder 
to blow up the poor Mortals who chance to come in our way ? 
Surely whoever acts in such a way is guilty of Crimes that 
even reach beyond this world, and that seem to be equivalent 
with the rebellion of the fallen Angels, and perhaps to deserve 
a punishment like theirs, an eternal existence and an eternal 
misery. You see I think with you in regard to a late Work in 
every point unworthy of its Author, and not equal in style to 
his other Works, and void of any brilliant thoughts or remark- 
able observations. I am truly sorry to see a performance of 
the kind. I should be sorry to see it from my hand, am much 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 115 

more to see it from his. He had vast Powers. The mis- 
application of them is his own fault. Rest, if possible, his 
Soul in that peace in the enjoyment of which he seems to have 
envyed others. 

What becomes of you this Summer ? Summer, did I say ! 
With us it has been a Winter : a very dreary and a very dis- 
agreeable one. I wish to see you, and yet can scarce ask you 
to come to a House so full of noise and workmen as this is, 
and must be, for some time longer. Lady Orrery is still 
detained in Ireland. When she arrives, I shall hope you will 
turn your Post chaise towards Frome. 

I am, dear Sir, your faithfull, etc., 

ORRERY. 

TO MR. WILSON. 

Marston house, zith July 1752. 

I AM extremely obliged to you, Sir, for the pictures of my 
two sons. They are both very like. They are both excellent 
pictures. Lord Boyle's appears to me less finished than the 
other, at least, I would willingly think so, as perhaps that hint 
may induce you to come hither after your Journey to Yorkshire. 

As to your disagreement with Miss B., I can be no judge 
of it : but I remember Hamlet, speaking of the Players, says, 
' After your death you were better have a bad Epitaph than 
' their ill report while you lived.' 

To induce you to travel to Marston, I can tell you we 
have the finest Prospects that the eye could wish. Some Seats, 
such as Mr Hoare's, Wilton, Long Leat, and that large House 
the Bath, all in our neighbourhood. Wilton, the most distant, 
is in your way to London. We have also some natural Curi- 
osities : Hookey-Hole, Stone-henge and Glassenbury's * Waters 

1 Glastonbury, celebrated for its] beautiful ruin, and the Christmas flowering 
Thorn, which a legend.Jascribes to the planting of his staff by Joseph of Arimathea 
on his visit to England after the Crucifixion. 



n6 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

and Thorns. You will also find some true humble Servant 
ready to attend you upon all Occasions. I shall be in some 
pain while you travel. You will often enquire the road, you 
will often be deceived : you will believe every Man you meet, 
and by that means will be once or twice on your return to 
London : and then you will wonder how people can act 
insincerely towards an innocent Stranger. Let us get you 
here, and you shall meet with no insincerity, but shall be most 
truely wellcome to, Sir, your very faithfull obliged and obedient 

Servant, 

ORRERY. 

TO MR. THOMAS CARTE. 

Marston House, Aug. $th, 1752. 

I AM sorry to find, Sir, that you are in want of the Bath 
waters for your health. The only alleviation to my concern 
will be your kind visit here : where, if ever business in Ire- 
land can be finished, you will meet Lady Orrery. I retire, 
Sir, partly upon account of health, which of late has grown 
worse and worse. Another reason for my retirement is an 
absolute conviction that it is to no purpose to endeavour to 
save a Country which is resolved not to be saved. I have 
seen so many instances to confirm this melancholy opinion 
that the idle hopes of vain and visionary minds appear to me 
as airy bubbles not in the least to be regarded. My wishes 
for my Country will be the same to the last hour of my 
breath. My opinion of my Countrymen grows indeed less 
and less favourable every day. But, to say truth, we are a 
declining People : destined, I fear, to absolute destruction. 
We have had our Day. It ended with Queen Ann. Since 
her time all has been Confusion and Discontent at Home ; 
Folly and False Politics abroad : not to mention that Spirit 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 117 

of Slavery and Irreligion that is spreading itself throughout 
the several parts of the three Kingdoms. These are undeniable 
Truths. What then have we to hope ? Or from whence ? 
Not from Heaven, if we are to judge of the future by past 
events. Not from Heaven, if we are Judges of our own 
merits. Hopes may serve to fill Bumpers, but they will scarce 
at present be the Entertainment of closet reflections or cool 
speculation. Retirement, therefore, is the best choice that 
the most healthy man can make, and to one with my wretched 
constitution it is not only eligible but necessary. 

Don't imagine that this way of thinking affects my Spirits. 
I am as chearfull as possible when out of pain. If I sigh 'tis 
for my Country, not for myself: yet I am in some doubt 
whether my Country is worth a Sigh : her very Climate grows 
worse and worse : nor have I seen a true Summer's day this 
year. 

Pray send me an account of the people of France. They 
seem to be changed, if our newspapers may be depended upon. 
You must have seen their disposition during your stay at Paris. 

I am reading your History with great care and satisfaction. 
It is a Work that will be of public use, and must have cost 
you immense labour, but I know you are indefatigable, as I 
shall be in shewing myself, Sir, Your very faithfull humble 
Servant, 

ORRERY. 



DR. BARRY TO LORD ORRERY. 

Dublin, Nov. 28, 1752. 

MY DEAREST LORD, I most sincerely congratulate your 
L p on your happy meeting with Lady Orrery ; may no Seas or 
future Accidents separate you again, and may you grow old 



ii8 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

together in the next Century. I saw the Speaker this morn- 
ing, he was preparing some Papers for Lord Kildare who soon 
goes to England to try if he can stem the Torrent of the 
Primate's Power. All Places and Preferments flow from that 
Channel, w h will be apt in this corruptest Age to carry a 
growing Interest with it. As the Dispute is only for ' Power ' 
'tis to be hop'd that some means may be found to prevent 
these Divisions, for the Business of the Government and the 
Country has been hitherto conducted in a manner that has 
fully gratify'd One, without giving offence to the Other, and 
tho' our Trade has been confin'd, yet we thought under all 
our Disadvantages that our days were Halcyon, and our 
Loyalty has always at least kept Pace with our Happiness. 
When I have any Leisure I spend it with my Books, or at the 
Hill, where I have made a Canal and Grass-walk, though I 
have a strange desire even there to see Marston, and I really 
think some time before I can die in Peace I must pay a visit 
to Somerset, I am my dearest Lord, ever yours, 

ED. BARRY. 



FROM MR. FAULKNER. 

(Account of his Interview with the Earl of Kildare.) 

On Saturday, i6th of Feby. 1754, two paragraphs were 
printed in the Dublin Journal of that day, that there was a 
meeting of several noblemen and gentlemen at the Phoenix 
Tavern the Wednesday before and at the Tholsel on the 
Friday following, at which Lord Kildare and several other 
Noblemen and Gentlemen were present. Ld Kildare in the 
Chair. At which meetings they drank the King, the Royal 
family, the Duke of Dorset, prosperity to Ireland, and many 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 119 

other loyal Toasts. All which Healths Mr. Faulkner took it 
for granted were drank. But about two o'clock on Saturday 
Lord Kildare, Lord Carrick and Mr. Abraham Creichton, a 
member of Parliament, came to Mr. Faulkner's House, made 
him read the Paragraph, and when he came to the part that 
related to the Duke of Dorset, Lord Kildare asked him by 
what Authority he dared to mention that man, whose health 
was not drank nor ever should be where he was present, 
and that no honest man or any friend of Ireland, would ever 
drink his health ; then called Mr. Faulkner many gross and 
scandalous names, and insisted on Mr. Faulkner contradicting 
that scandalous and false paragraph in the next Journal. 
At the same time Lord Carrick said many severe words to 
Faulkner which are forgot and cannot be recollected. But 
asked him how he came to admit the glorious and immortal 

memory of K. William? To which F made answer that 

it was remarkable in Ireland, that in all public Companies that 
Toast never was omitted. Then Ld Kildare insisted on 
Faulkner's contradicting that paragraph in the next Journal, 
or he should repent it. On the Monday following Ld 
Kildare called again when Mr. F. was abroad, and asked 
one of the Servants if he intended to retract that paragraph. 
To which the Servant made answer, my Lord, I cannot tell, 
but I will tell Mr. Faulkner when he comes home ; to which 
his Lordship replied, I insist upon it, and if he doth not, let 
him look to it. But since that time he hath not called at 
Mr. Faulkner's house, nor was the paragraph contradicted, as 
Mr. Faulkner never meant to give the least offence to any 
person whatever by speaking of it. 



120 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

FROM DR. BARRY. 

Dublin, Feb. i<)th, 1754. 

I HAVE enclosed a list of the Healths at the Meeting of 
the Gentlemen of Ulster, published by Wilson, who writes the 
daily Advertiser and is against the Court. His shop is 
thronged like a Coffee house every day, and he is likely to 
make a Fortune, tho' perhaps at the loss of his Ears. George 
Faulkner published in his Journal the same day a list of the 

Ulster Toasts and inserted the Duke of D l which was 

not drank, and omitted the glorious memory, 2 two great faults. 
On Saturday Lord Kildare, Lord Carrick and Mr. Creichton 
went to Faulkner's Shop, Lord Kildare charged him severely 
for daring to insert falsehoods with his name, and tho' he 
narrowly then escaped punishment, solemnly threatened he 
would break what bones he had left in his body, if he did not 
in his next paragraph retract his Error and publish that the 
D. of D.'s health was not drank. 

The Speaker was sent for yesterday at the Castle ; what 
passed I cannot say, but last night he seemed much vexed and 
concerned at this incident, though there was nothing pre- 
judicial to the Duke if Faulkner was obliged publicly to 
retract, yet the D. did not perhaps care to be thus printed of. 
However, I find now that Faulkner has not taken notice of it, 

and Lord K sent a paragraph to Wilson, who takes notice 

of this Error of Faulkner's. Some gentlemen who went into 
Faulkner's soon after, asked him what he would have done had 
Ld Kildare struck him ? He said he would not have received a 
blow from any man living without returning it, and that he 
would take the Law of him afterwards, and that during the 

1 Duke of Dorset, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. 2 Of William in. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 121 

whole Conversation he preserved a firmness and presence of 
Mind. His wife said that he had no business to strike any 
Lord, nor should not do it ; that he was greatly frightened 
and that he had still a trembling on him ; and she would not 
suffer any of them to come near him again, but engage them 
herself; and a Gentleman told me he saw Ld Kildare there in 
his Chariot the second time that day, and Mrs. Faulkner 
talking to him as red as a Turkey Cock, but she would not 
produce her husband. Faulkner was a considerable time with 
the Duke last night in great consternation and Terror on 
many Accounts, but determined not to reprint anything to the 
honour of his Grace. I am, etc. 

AN EXTRACT FROM WILSON'S DUBLIN UNIVERSAL 
ADVERTISER^ FEBY. 19, 1754, MENTIONED IN THE FORE- 
GOING LETTER. 

Dublin Advertisement. 

WHEREAS in several newspapers lately published by George 
Faulkner, he has taken upon himself to invent many False- 
hoods in order to deceive his Readers, particularly in his 
Journal of Saturday the i6th instant, where he gives an 
Account of the Toasts that were drank at the meeting of the 
Gentlemen of the province of Ulster, at the Tholsel of the 
City of Dublin. Among which he mentions that the Duke of 
Dorset was given for a Toast, and omits the glorious and 
immortal memory of King William with many other patriot 
Toasts. THIS is TO ASSURE THB PUBLICK that the Duke of 
Dorset was not drank there, but as inserted in the Universal 
Advertiser of the aforesaid Date, Friday, Feb. I5th. One 
hundred and twenty four of the nobility, members of Parliament 
and other Gentlemen and Merchants of great distinction and 



122 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

property in the province of Ulster with the Lord Mayor and 
Sherifs dined at the Tholsel of this City, to which place the 
Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Richard Cox, and the 
four worthy Patriots lately turned out of their employments 
were invited. The Rt Honble the Earl of Kildare in the 
Chair. After Dinner the following Toasts, among a variety 
of others, expressive of the most unfeigned affection to his 
Majesty and true patriotism were most chearfully and unani- 
mously drank : The King, the Prince of Wales, the princess 
of Wales and the rest of the Royal family. The Duke and 
the Army. The glorious and immortal Memory of the great 
King William. May the Succession to the Crown be perpetu- 
ated in the illustrious House of Hanover. Prosperity to 
Ireland. Prosperity to Ulster. Prosperity to the City of 
Dublin. The Earl of Kildare and Liberty. The Speaker of 
the House of Commons of Ireland, and may we never want a 
Man of his Sense and Spirit at the head of the Commons. 
The ever memorable Majority of the 23rd of November and 
1 7th of December 1753. May the Commons ever defend 
themselves against all unconstitutional influence. May the 
true lovers of Liberty in Great Britain and Ireland be forever 
united in affection as they are in Interest. Disappointment to 
all those who, under pretence of supporting the prerogative, 
would destroy the Liberty of the Subject. The four worthy 
Patriots lately turned out of their Employments. May those 
who advised the late P be soon voted Enemies of the 
Country. May all Priests who have the Ambition of Woolsey 
meet with the fate of Laud. May that Man who has neither 
Wife, W e or Estate never have any share in the Govern- 
ment of Ireland. May the Island of Saints never turn to 
Sodom and Gomorrah. Speedy Exportation of rotten Stone 
duty free. May Back Lane never get the better of Bride 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 123 

Street. The Linnen Manufacture. The Earl of Tyrone. 
The Earl of Carrick. Lord Kingsborough. The Patriot 
Representatives of Munster. Do. of Leinster. Do. Con- 
naught. The free and Independent Inhabitants of the Town 
of Belfast. A high Wind and a lee Shoar to all the Enemies 
of Ireland, etc. etc. etc. 

FROM DR. BARRY. 

March znd, 1754. 

LORD KILDARE'S treatment of Faulkner on inserting the 
D. of D.'s health among the Ulster Toasts and this opposition 
at Council, has again disturbed the prospect of some degree of 
peace, and has made it again uncertain whether the S r will 
be left in the Government. He himself thinks that the 
expression of the D., saying he will recommend nothing, is a 
sort of dismiss ; but I hope still they will not fling away the 
only person who is most capable of restoring order, and I am 
sure is well inclined to it. The best way would be to 
depend implicitly on his discretion and to require no express 
Terms. 

The play of Mahomet 1 (a translation of Voltaire's piece) 
was acted some time ago, and some parts were encored and 

1 From the Dublin Spy, Feb. 8th, 1754 : ' A Spirit of Freedom enlivens the tragic 
' scenes of Mahomet the Impostor, indeed almost ev'ry line carries with it its point. If 
' it had been calculated purely for the Meridan of Ireland, the acumens which run 
' through some of the spirited Speech could not carry a keener edge. Mr. Sheridan, 
' who acted the part of Zaphna, was excellent in the scenes of love and distress. Mrs. 
' Woffington performed Palmyra with great decency and eloquence of action. Mr. 
' Diggs, who played Alcanor, had a great advantage, for he was the chief engine that 
' played against the Court. He was encor'd in a spirited speech, and Bravoes thunder'd 
' from the Pit : and to prove how infamous is a Courtier's heart, there were several 
' diabolical hisses at the encore, some I marked to come from the tongue of two clergy- 
' men who sat near. Oh ! the serpent tongues ! to attempt to hiss down such sentiments 
' of honour and freedom. Had they known I had been near, they had been less free of 
' their infernal sibilations.' 



i2 4 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

applauded with repeated Claps, some faintly hissed, and 
the whole was attended with great confusion, but ended 
without mischief. This night the play was to be acted 
again. The House crowded. Diggs in his first speech was 
encored ; he made a decent Speech that the Actors had agreed 
that it was a prostitution of the Stage to repeat Speeches. 
Expressed his distress that he must offend an Audience for 
whom he had the greatest Respect, or act improperly. They 
called for the Manager. A Gentleman spoke from the pitt. 
Said he had the Curiosity to go behind the Scenes, and that 
the Manager was gone away. In repeating the Call for the 
Manager, another Actor came out and offered to read the part. 
The Audience hissed him off. Peg Woffington appeared, but 
her Voice was lost in the hissing and clapping noise. The 
Curtain was droped and the Audience disappointed of the 
Play : and I just now hear they were so much enraged at the 
Manager's conduct, that the Benches of the pitt and Boxes 
were all torn to pieces, the Curtain and Scenes destroyed, and 
that some threatened to fire the House. 

Sheridan is a declared Courtier, and yet re-acted this play, 
as he knew it must bring a full house, tho' probably attended 
with a real Tragedy, which would have been the Case had they 
not stopped early, for the passages which they thought appli- 
cable to the p r 1 would have been marked and encored 

with Vehemence. What an opposition might have produced 
no one can tell. 

Sir R. Cox's Account of the money Bill was published this 
Week, and I hear is reprinted now in London, or will be 
before this Letter arrives. Several hundreds were sold in a 
few hours. Where will all this confusion end ? I shall soon 
write again. I can only add that I am, etc. 

1 Paramour. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 125 

FROM A PARAGRAPH IN A LETTER FROM 
MR. FAULKNER. 

Dublin, March izth t 1754. 

' . . . Sheridan is undone. His Theatre in Smock Alley 
' being torn to pieces in the inside, and he will appear no more, 
' he says, on the Stage.' 

FROM DR. BARRY. 

(Extract.} 

Dublin, Marc h \$th, 1754. 

. . . Dices LATOUCH, who was turned out of the House 
of Commons, tho' perhaps fairly elected for Dublin, on account 
of his close connection with Lucas, has since been a noisy 
Tribune, and a Chief Partisan of the Castle ; and last Wednes- 
day sat in the Chair at the Tholsel at an Entertainment, where 
as many as they could collect, to the number of 203, dined, 
to return their Thanks to the Duke for his Interposition in 
favour of the Bankers. 

This Gentleman has been regarded as the head of the 
Citizens who opposed the Aldermen, and gave himself the 
liberty of speaking w th some freedom of the Speaker, and 
lately in a Coffee house told him that he was as fit a person 
to head the Citizens of Dublin as Lord Kildare was to head 

his party. This was a boasting lie, for it is certain the S r 

has not exchanged one word with him these two years. Dick 
Boyle was told of this by one who heard him declaim in this 
manner in the Coffee house, and this morning went to his 
house. He could not deny the charge, and Mr. Boyle pulled 
him by the nose (which is very large and fit for that use) and 
kicked him and told him he would use him in the same manner 



126 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

whenever he met him, till he acknowledged his offence in a 
Letter to his Father. He said he should hear from him 
before 24 hours were passed. This will make a new turn 
and be variously represented. I wish it had not happened at 
this time. 



FROM THE COUNTESS OF ORRERY TO 
MRS. DOPPING. 

Tuesday, Florence, Jany. 28, 1755. 

IT was with the greatest pleasure imaginable that I re- 
ceived yours of the 26 Dec br yesterday morning, your Letter 
was therefore exactly one month and one day on the Road, 
in absence it gives us vast satisfaction to find our friends 
were well on such a day, tho' alas, this is a vain satisfaction, 
for I have learned by sad experience that when I have 
imagined those I loved tenderly were well, and by that 
thought made myself happy in our seperation, that these 
were gon where we could no more hope to meet with them. 
The old Proverb is now one of my great consolations, that 
no news is good newse, for we have not yet received a single 
line from any one of our Friends in England, and only yours 
from Ireland, tho' Both my Lord and I have written several 
Letters to each Kingdom, and amongst the rest one to 
Marlow, who I desired to shew it to you, informing him 
that Pisa was not a Habitable place, and tho' a pleasant 
City, yet poverty and desolation prevails so throughly there 
that it was impossible to remain at Pisa. No House to be 
got but one at an excessive price, with some furniture but 
not one conveniency, nor could we there get proper Masters 
for Lucy, we therefore resolved to pass this Winter at 
Florence, where we have the happiness of Mr. Mann's 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 127 

company and friendship, which is a great consolation to us. 
We have a good House, and our diat for ourselves and 
two Servants at I2s. a day, the rest of our family are at 
board Wages. Our coach stands us in above ioo p r An, 
our washing as dear as at London, we therefore live on 
reasonable terms, and Lucy's education is very good and 
very cheap, her playing and singing 155. p r month, dancing 
i os., writing ios., drawing ios., I paid at London three 
Guineas p r month for dancing, and she learned but twice a 
week, but indeed the Moinseiure was all velvet and gold, 
Italian is our dearest article, i p r month, she is fond of 
all these accomplishments, and they will have this good 
effect, that they will employ her till she gets a House, 
Children and other amusements. I send you an account 
of those things because I know all curious observers love 
to be informed of the Price of most particulars in different 
Countrys. 

Our Healths are as follows, my Lord has a better Apitite 
than ever he had, eats his dinner very well, and sleeps the 
whole night without weaking, he finds staying at home in 
these Cold Evenings agrees best with his Constitution, and 
as the Mornings are generally fine and warm, we often take 
the Air and walk, my Stomach is much better, and with 
my usual temperance I keep very well. The Baths of Pisa 
are charming places both for convenience and amusement of 
the Gay, but to them I shall not go. I believe the Viterbo 
Waters will be the properest for my complaints, as they are 
like Spa, but my great expectation is from the Ice, which 
agrees with me beyond all things I ever took, and certainly, 
taken in moderation, it is an excelant Stiptick. Lucy has 
no Complaints. 

I am sorry for poor Madden's girl, and for her mis- 



128 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

cariage, if it was so, but perhaps you may find it was not so, 
for I realy think her Children are like the Prince of Condy, 
14 months in bringing to perfection, my best love to her and 
to all my friends. I am glad Towers is married, and that 
you have got my thing for little Dr. Anthoney, I hope he 
got some Money with his wife, wish him joy in our name. 
Mrs. Boyle breeds fast, two girls at a time no mortal can 
bear. I am glad Leslie is happy, though he never resolved 
so much as to answer my Letters. Does Mrs. Brownlow 
breed? Palmer is old and peivish, he should have known 
his own mind better than to have married and then part, for 
when once the knot is tied, it is better to let it remain till 
death do them part, and realy that promise shews that it is 
wicked to divede till that period. Lady Lainsborough J was 
wise, as long as there is no remidy, to see even Lord and 
Lady Belfield's daughter, perhaps the Countinance of Friends 
may prevent her from going in the way of her mother, 
grandmother, etc. etc. I cannot think S r , W's church burnt 
on purpose, but it is always said so, of most edifices, happy 
the fire did no more mischieff. I think the Chancelour was 
wise to get so good a Lady to sit by the fire in the Evenings 
with him, and when people's Children are all married and 
gon from them, I declare I think they then want a com- 
panion more than in middle Age when they can get 
companions abroad. Therefore let the old and the young 
marry for prudential reasons, and the middle Aged if they 
like it. but when once married, as I said before, let them 
stay together, for it is a shame and a sin to part. 

1 The Countess of Lanesborough was the only daughter of Viscount Belfield, 
afterwards created Earl of Belvedere both titles now extinct. 

The Earldom of Lanesborough is a later creation than the original Viscountcy 
of that name, and a different family altogether : the earlier one pertained to the Lanes 
who were ancestors maternally of the Lane Fox family of Bramham in Yorkshire. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 129 

I will send the Cones, and also some other Cones, next 
year I hope to be so well versd in the Milean's manners, as 
to find if here there are any kinds we have not in England. 

I will next month give you an account of the Carnival, 
which is now growing towards a hight. We were three 
times at the first Opera, Bad, and twice at the present, 
Worse ; this night we go to the Play for the first time this 
Carnival, the Actors and matter are so bad that it is im- 
possible to go to their Comedys after Shakspere and Garrick. 
The Opera dresses are fine, and also those for the Dancers, 
who caper and jump like mad ; but no grace, no Arms ; 
however, they afford the Florenteens infinite joy ; but they 
make such a Noise that you cannot hear either Opera or play. 

The weather is very cold and frosty, it has been so 
indeed all this month, we have had two fires, and they cost 
us 135. p' week. I wrote to you lately, and hope now our 
correspondence will be regular, for nothing gives me more 
joy than to hear from my Friends. I am sure Edmund 
will be very glad to answer your Letters, write to him and 
try. I wish my paper longer, love to all from your afP e , 

M. ORRERY. 
FROM DR. BARRY. 

Dublin, Dr. 15, 1757. 

MY DEAREST LORD, I have been confined to my 
Chamber till within these two Days by a Quinsy attended 
afterwards with a Fever. I was taken ill the 25th of last 
month, and at one Time I thought my Case very dangerous. 
I am now, thank God, free from any Complaint of Conse- 
quence, but low. I know nothing of our public or political 
affairs. Some useless attempts have been made to bring in 

VOL. II. I 



i 3 o THE ORRERY PAPERS 

Resolutions against Poenings act and the power exercisd by 
the privy Council. An Enquiry was to be made into the 
conduct of Comm rs of the Revenue for some years past, and it 
was agreed that it should be made by a Select Committee of 
31. Very few of the party, and those doubtfull. I think 
three were only chosen, the Speaker's part had the majority in 
this choice by Ballot, neither S r Rich d . Cox nor Melone were 
chosen, so that the Enquiries will be of no Consequence. 
Ld R. seems to loose Ground. I suspect the Connexion 
between him and Ld is somewhat relaxed. His 

Lsp sete with me an Hour two days agoe, looks well, and is a 
happy Spectator of these contentions for power, for vanity, 
interest or resentment are the Springs that actuate our political 
machine. The D. of Bedford had the greatest Reason to 
expect an Easie Session, as he had nothing to ask but the 
Common Supplys, and no views but the interest and happy- 
ness of the Country, and whenever any attempts have been 
made for some time against the Ease or Dignity of Govern- 
ment, he has a considerable majority, and will certainly keep 
it. I have enclosed in another paragraph an Oration of 
Mr. Lenlay delivered to a large Audience. I am, my dearest 
Lord, most sincerely yours, 

EDW. BARRY. 



FROM DR. BARRY. 

Dublin, Jan. 24, 1758. 

My DEAREST LORD, On Fryday last Ld Clonbrazils 1 
Bill 2 was thrown out of the Privy Council by a majority of 

1 An Irish peerage of two creations: the senior pertaining to the Marquis of 
Dufferin ; the junior to the Earl of Roden. 

2 ' The Popish Priest Bill in Council.' 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 

two. I dind yesterday with Ld Shannon at the Bp of Cloyne, 
and there heard the names of such who voted on that 
Occasion : 



AGAINST THE BILL. 

The Primate. 

The 3 other Arch Bps. 

Earl of Drogheda. 

Earl of Grandison. 

Earl of Shannon. 

Lord Loftus. 

Ld Chancellor. 

Ld Chief Justice of the 

King's Bench. 
Ld C. Baron. 
Sr Arthur Gore. 
Sr T. P[r]endergast. 



FOR THE BILL. 

Duke of Bedford. 
Earl of Kildare. 
Earl of Inchiquen. 
Earl of Clonbrasil. 
Ld Tullamore. 
Ld Athanree. 
Ld Lanesborough. 
Ld Belvedere. 
Arth. Malone, Esq. 
Mr. Fortescue. 
Mr. Rigby. 



The Debate lasted long, the D. of Bedford spoke for three 
Quarters of an Hour in favour of it, and yet all the Heads 
of the Church and Law declared against it. the Ld who 
Brought in the Bill must be much disappointed after the pains 
he had taken and the support he fixd on. Ld Drogheda had 
voted for the Bill in the House of Lords, but on hearing in 
the debate that popish Bishops were also to be established, he 
changed his mind, otherwise, the Numbers being equal, the 
Ld L t>s Vote would have determined it. I have enclosed in 
different Pacquets a severe but true pamphlet against Sheridan. 
I am, my dearest Lord, most sincerely yrs, 

EDW. BARRY. 



132 THE ORRERY PAPERS 



DR. BARRY TO LORD CORKE. 

Dublin, Feby. $th, 1758. 

I WAS Yesterday with two Bishops who surpris'd me with 
an Ace of a Book lately publish'd by the B p of Clogher to 
which he has putt his Name, in which he asserts that Our 
Saviour was the first created Being by the Divinity, and that 
the Messiah on Earth was certainly the Archangel Michael 
etc., etc., etc. As ithere is an Act in Force against Heresy 
and Blasphemy he says he is sensible of the dangerous 
Consequences of what he asserts ; however he is glad that the 
Act de Heretico combndo is repealed, tho' he has reason to 

think there are some Bishops who would by this line he 

means who would be glad to see it executed. These Bishops 
whom I have seen, think that some Public Notice must 
unavoidably be taken of it and he seems, they think, to wish 
it, and that he would lay down his Bishoprick to make his 
Fame more conspicuous and lasting. Some think that the 
Archbishop of Dublin in whose Diocese it is printed, must take 
the Prosecution on him, Others, that an Application will be 
made for a Legal Visitation, others, that as they neglected his 
Essay on Spirits (which however was anonymous) they will 
take no public notice of this. By the Act in being, we must 
be depriv'd of Employment, and the Book burnt by the 
common Hangman. At present all our political Affairs go on 
regularly and quiet. If Opposing Party continues quiet, it 
must be on some Concessions made to future Power. 'Tis 
said that the Primate and Ponsonby's party are now most 
numerous, provided that is no Govern 1 interfered, for in that 
case many would regard only their own safety. Ld K. I think 
must be named by the Ld Lt for one of the Ld Justices, but 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 133 

may be connected with others that may make him a Cypher. 
Before this time the Lds Justices were generally known. Tis 
now uncertain ; if the D. of Bedford follows his inclination and 
spirit, he will probably reject Ponsonby and the Primate, and 
then chuse Ld Kildare, the Chancellor, and either Ld Shannon 
or Ld Clanbrazill, who is a Favourite with the Court, and wd 
joyn either if he chuses ease and a great majority. I am, my 
dearest Lord, ev: most aff y y 18 , 

ED. BARRY. 

Smith of Charleville dead his son chosen Burgess in his 
stead by the Charter this must be done in 3 days. 



DR. BARRY TO LORD CORKE. 

Feby. it, 1758. 

MY DEAREST LORD, Our affairs here are likely to take a 
turn that will be surprizing and disagreeable to Some. I, for 
my part, have suspected some part of it for some time, and 
shall be pleas' d if the Whole proves true. I mentioned to 
y r Lp that the Primate and the Speaker's party seemed to gain 
Force in the House, and had it in their Pow'r to give at least 
a troublesome Opposition, and I believe the Ld Lt did not 
find his Situation as agreeable as he expected it would be from 
Ld Kildare's Interest. As the time of naming the Lds 
Justices seldom went beyond Jan y , most persons were surpriz'd, 
that they had not been fix'd, and the Candidates in common 
Discourse were many. The Ld Kildare, primate, Speaker, 
Ld Clonbrazil, Ld Grandison (Mr. Pit's Uncle), Ld 
Chancellor and Ld Shannon. Of late I have it from the best 
Authority that the Primate and Ponsonby were certainly fix'd, 



134 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

not only here but on the other side, and a few days ago that 
the same was offered to Ld Kildare, w h he absolutely refus'd, 
and as he had often openly declared that he w d never associate 
with the Primate in Government, I believe it was expected, 
and no disappointment that he refused ; after such frequent 
Declarations he c d not take it, and he would have been a 
cypher if he had, and entirely lost what Interest he had. Who 
then does y r Lp think will be the third ? The primate is a 
wise man, and always lamented that he had lost Ld Shannon's 
friendship, and his friends who, tho' not very numerous, are 
of more weight from their character. He has of late given 
instances of being desirous of a Reconciliation, and a few Days 
agoe, when he was asked in a large Company for a Toast 
said he w d give one that was a Friend to the Country and to 
their Order, and he heartily wish'd he was as much his Friend, 
that was my Ld Shannon, whom I mentioned to y r Lp 
as having voted in the House of Lords, and again in Council 
on Ld ClonbrazilTs Popery Act. These are only previous 
Appearances, but I think I can depend on my Authority, that 
Our Noble Friend will be appointed, and he certainly will 
give Safety and Dignity to the Triumvirate. I am told that 
Ld Kildare after he had refused the Nomination, went 
immediately to the Castle, to Ld Shannon, and told him what 
had passed. His Lp express'd his Concern at his Refusal, 
and endeavoured to moderate his Warmth, but to no Purpose. 
Is it not a stretch of Pow'r, not to be Satisfyd with being 
named by His Majesty, but to put a Negative on Another ? 
Very few know yet Anything of this Affair ; some suspect it, 
and add Others every Day, but in a short time it must be 
known, and I was desir'd not to give any Hints of it here. 
I own I am greatly pleas'd with the Prospect, as Ld Shannon 
was certainly turn'd out of the Government to make room 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 135 

for Kildare, and as he lost his Interest in the Government 
by having before supported his Memorial, neither has his 
Return since been so gratefull to Ld Shannon as might 
have been expected. There are four Pacquets due To- 
morrow which will I hope bring me some Accounts from 
Marston. I am, my dearest Lord, most sincerely and 
affect !y y", 

ED. BARRIE. 



DR. BARRY TO THE EARL OF CORKE. 

Dublin, March 21, 1758. 

MY DEAREST LORD, We are now greatly afflicted at 
the loss of my Sister Marg 1 Dopping. ... I decline writing 
on the subject to Lady Corke who I know is greatly affected 
for her. But where there is no Relief we must Submit. 
The Bishop of Clogher sent a Message to my House to call 
on Him when I went abroad that Day. I happened to be 
out early, and received the message when I returned. After 
I had breakfasted and dress'd a second message came to 
desire me to go there immediately, as he had been taken 
with a fainting fit, attended with some convulsive spasms. 
I went immediately and mett Dr. Smith there, who had 
been likewise sent for on this second Alarm. He was then 
recovered and walking about the room. On enquiry I 
found he had been ill about 6 days, and had from that 
time a slow malignant Fever, and our Prognostic was 
very soon agreeable to the Event. In two Days afterwards 
he begun to rave, and continued in that state till He died, 
tho' he had such lucid Intervals that he made a Codicil to 
his Will, which gave St. Woolston's to Mrs. Clayton for 



136 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

her life and some other Legacies, and was at another Time 
capable of signing a Lease of Ld Louth's for which 1500 
were paid. The Day before he lost his Senses, his servant 
calTd me back, and said his Master desir'd to speak with 
me. His L p desir'd me to sitt down by him, and told me 
he thought it necessary to let me know that his mind had 
been lately very strongly affected, as it may make me more 
capable of knowing the nature of the Disorder. He said 
that he had a favorite Mare and Colt at the Curragh, and 
had rec d an Account of their being ill by the neglect of his 
Groom : that He was aghast and surpriz'd at having been 
affected so much by it, but that he found his Nerves and 
Spirits so much agitated, he was apprehensive it would have 
ended in a parlatic stroke. Was not this a prudent and 
artful way of conveying to his Physicians the state of his 
Mind ? Perhaps the Curragh story is partly true, but when 
the cup is full, a small matter would make it run over. 
He knew that a Prosecution was determined against Him, 
the D. of Bedford had a conversation with him. He was a 
good natur'd and polite man and often agreeable but He 
mistook his Talents as well as his subject. Want of Sleep 
probably made him an Author. A bad Poet gives the 
same reason to Horace who dissuades him from Verses 
sed nequeo dormire. I have great Reason to lament Lady 
Allen who was always a true friend to me ; she had a Cancer 
in her Breast which she concealed. I saw the last message 
from the D. of Bedford to Ld Kildare, desiring him in this 
Crisis to accept a Share in the Government, and promising 
on his Word and Honour, that he would take care to keep 
the Ballance on his side. The Answer was highe and obstinate. 
I hear his L p proposes to goe to England; the Duke will 
certainly return again ; this he mentioned to the Bishop of 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 137 

Cloyne last Sunday, and said he would goe from Biddeford 
to Corke and visit the Lake of Killarney. Sir M. Croker 
and Mr. Annesley to be Lords. I am, my dear Lord, ever 
Yours, 

ED. BARRY. 



PROPOSAL TO MISS HAMILTON 

AND 

CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN LORD 
AND LADY ORRERY 



PROPOSAL TO MISS HAMILTON 

AND 

CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN LORD AND 
LADY ORRERY 

LETTER FROM THE EARL OF KILDARE TO 
MISS HAMILTON. 

MADAM, I hope y u will not look on me as a bold under- 
taker to attemp an affaire of y s nature on so slender an 
acquaintance as I have y e honour to have w th y r Ladys p ; but 
since it is for y r Service, and y* of Lord Orrery, hows intrest 
is dear to me as my own, I bege leave to propose him to y u 
for a husband, being the man in the world I think will make 
y u happiest. I must lett you know My Lord arrived last 
night in y e impatience of a lover ; and if y !s is as agreable to 
you as I most sincearly desire, I bege it may be effected as 
soon as possable, w th y c least Noyse. I would not venture y* 
by Post but if by a servant of my Lord's or mine (as he would 
have it carry'd) it would make more of y l y u I am shure y u can 
approve off. As to my Lords affaires, he's very much 
confin'd by his first Settlements, but Madam y r fortunes so 
ample it will make y u and y r family quite easy ; and any thing 
y ts in my L ds power y u can dessire, I '11 be answerable he will 
doe it. I take y e liberty to send y e enclosed, and must bege 



i 4 2 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

youl doe me y e honour to let me hear y u receave it from 
Madam, Y r most obedient, most humble S* 

KILDARE. 

LORD ORRERY TO MISS HAMILTON.i 

(Enclosed in the Above.} 

April 29, 1738. 

MADAM, I am come over hither with the pleasing Hopes 
that you will be so generous to accept of a Proposal of 
Marriage from me, and therefore have desired my Lord Kildare 
to tender those particulars to you which you find in his Letter. 
As I have taken this Journey entirely to wait upon you, and 
to offer You a Heart which is, and ever will be your own, I 
flatter myself Madam, You will permitt me to tell You so in 
Person, and You cannot wonder at my Impatience, if I wish 
for the earliest opportunity of assuring You that I am Madam, 

Y r most devoted and most obed 1 Serv', 

ORRERY. 



THE SAME TO THE SAME. 

May 6, 1738. 

MADAM, I have receiv'd a Letter from Dean Dopping, 2 
by which I am prevented from the Happiness of waiting upon 



1 Captain William Hamilton, grandfather of Margaret Hamilton, Countess of 
Cork and Orrery, is said to have been a Cadet of the Abercorn Hamiltons (con- 
nected maternally with James Hamilton, Duke of Chatelherault, and to have obtained 
after the Restoration satisfaction of his claim, as a Debenturer of 1649, out f tne 
estate of Sir Phelim O'Neil), attainted for treason at Kenard now Caledon 
Co. Tyrone. Captain Hamilton married a Miss Galbraith, and his son John a Miss 
Dopping, daughter of the Bishop of Meath ; the two marriages creating a double 
relationship with the first Earl of Belmore, and the latter resulting, after the early death 
of a son, in the sole issue of Miss Margaret Hamilton as heiress of large estates, with 
a good, though probably overrated, income, and one not wholly free (as the private 
papers evince) from embarrassment. 

2 Dean Dopping was uncle and guardian to Miss Hamilton. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 143 

you, till my Fortune and Settlements are made known to him. 
You may be sure I shall lose no Time in doing what I hope 
may be the Means of my having the Honour to attend you. 
But as the just Fears of Your Freinds and Relations may 
make them apprehensive of my Views being different to what 
they are, give me Leave to assure you in the strongest Manner, 
that it is your Character, your Merit, and your Person that I 
look after. These, and these only are the Motives I proceed 
upon. You will dispose of Your Fortune as you think proper. 
But Madam, pardon me if I ask with earnestness, and humility 
at the same time, for Your Heart. Such a Gift would be 
beyond all the Acquisitions of Honour, Preferment or Riches 
that could fall upon me. I daresay Madam that if You knew 
the real Sentiments of my Soul, I should deserve some Com- 
passion from you. I am at present in a state betwixt Hope 
and Despair. My Hopes proceed from your known Character 
of Generosity, my Despair from my own Want of Merit. I 
am freindless and Scarce known to you, and at this Time it is 
necessary and just that all Objections should be made against 
me, that can arise, but Madam as you imitate Heaven in all 
other actions of Your Life, do not let me be the only exception 
to that Imitation. Let me find that Pity which I ask from 
You, and You only. As my Thoughts and Desires are fixt 
on You, in You is my only Hope. It is in Your Power to 
make me reparation for the greatest Misfortune of my Life, 
and may that God who knows the uprightness of my Inten- 
tions inspire You in my Favour, and make me in spite of all 
Obstacles for Ever Your Own 

ORRERY. 



i 4 4 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

LORD ORRERY TO MISS HAMILTON. 

Dublin, May 23, 1738. 

MADAM, As Dean Dopping has been so good as to give 
me Leave to wait upon Him, You may be sure I shall lose no 
Time in having the Pleasure to fling myself at Your Feet. 
But till I have discours'd very fully with the Dean, and receiv'd 
Your Commands from Him if You think fitt, I shall not 
attempt to speak my Thoughts to you, for fear of offending 
You, or giving You the least Uneasiness. But I hope then 
Madam, You will allow me an Opportunity of opening my 
Heart to you, and permitt me to assure you before I return, 
with how great Fervency and how unalterably I am Madam 
Your truly devoted Servant 

ORRERY. 

THE SAME TO THE SAME. 

Dublin, May ^yd, 1738. 

SUCH was my Expedition Madam, to this Town, that 
Hector and I were flying thro' the streets of Dublin in a 
Hackney Coach before eight o'clock. My Horse canter'd 
with me as well as if he had been under the Tuition of Mr. 
Thomas, and I repeated, as I went along, to the Woods and 
Stones * Parto Si da Te mia Vita> Ma da Te non parte il Cor.' 
Those words will go sweetly to the Lute which has made such 
impression on me. We Lovers, Madam, must be eternally 
versifying in the Absence of our Mistress, it soothes our 
Melancholy. Yet all that I can say in Verse or Prose will 
only amount to this one great Truth, that I love and shall 
continue to love You, most ardently, most affectionately and 
most disinterestedly as long as I live. I remember Waller 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 145 

tells us that ' Musick and Love are the employments of the 
Inhabitants of Heaven.' He addresses to a Young Lady, who 
I dare say was short of you in all your accomplishments, these 
Words if I remember aright 

* Peace, Cloris, Peace 
Or singing die, 
That together you and I 

To Heaven may go ; 

For all we know 
Of what the Blessed do above 
Is that they sing, and that they love.' 

Thus You see Madam Heaven formed You like one of its 
Favourites, and may it be Jong, and may Your Servant grow 
old with You, before you quitt your skill at Musick on Earth 
to exert it in Heaven I 

Mr. Pope has sent me a new Poem, which I shall bring 
down with me on Friday. Dean Madding's Horse has plung'd 
in a broken Conservatory (he never stumbles but he comes 
upon his Nose) and in lifting up his head, hit the Dean a blow 
on the Mouth, endanger'd some Teeth which shook in their 
Socketts, and he is now laboring under the swellings of a sore 
Lip. But the Nag is an excellent one for all these Disasters. 
Lord and Lady Kildare desire to be remembered to You. I 
supp'd there last Night, and met with much Company. 
Amongst them a Miss Betty Southwell, who enquir'd much 
after You, notwithstanding a certain deafness and inattention 
that attended me whilst I staid there. The two Mrs. Hamil- 
tons 1 with whom I have drank tea this afternoon are well. 
The Elder like me, lives upon the thoughts of You ; the 
Younger intends to write to you soon. 

Lord Barrymore is just landed from England, where you 
are much talked of, and I have the Honour to have my Name 

1 Miss Hamilton's Aunts. 
VOL. II. K 



146 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

join'd with Yours. When our Hands are join'd, no Man on 

Earth will be so happy as Your Own 

ORRERY. 



LORD ORRERY TO MISS HAMILTON. 

Dublin, May 30, 1738. 

I AM, Madam, this moment parted from Dean Dopping, 
whom I left in perfect Health, driving towards Bride Street. 
I hope to find Him as well Tomorrow morning, and to sett 
these Snails of Lawyers into some kind of Motion, towards 
making me happy. I have had many Reasons to entertain a 
high Opinion of Hector's Judgement, but my Thoughts of 
him now are raised to a higher pitch than ever, since he has 
shew'd so good a Taste in quitting me for You. It is the 
first time he ever left his Master, but when he found I had 
left my Heart behind me, where could he place himself better 
than near my Heart ! He knows that you do and will com- 
mand every Thing that belongs to me, and he knows that he 
cannot pay his Court to me better than by his Duty and 
Fidelity to You, so that even Falkner himself may learn 
Politeness from Hector since the celebrated Ducknose cannot, 
or will not teach, it him. 

Counsellor Salkeld and Mic both desire their lowest bows 
to you, they will be ready to attend you and the other 
Ladies, at the same time that I am able to return. And if 
Madam you will present my humble Service to Mrs. Dopping 
and Your Cousins You will do me at once a peice of Justice 
and an Honour. 

Lawyers, Messages, Agents (I had almost added Knaves 
and Fools), are rushing in upon me, I must answer them All 
and yet I can think of Nothing but You. If it is possible I 
shall return on Saturday. I am impatient for Friday that I 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 147 

may see some lines from Your fair Hand, and am to all 

eternity Your true and Faithful 

ORRERY. 

THE SAME TO THE SAME. 

Dublin, June yd, 1738. 

MADAM, Hector is Yours : I have no more Claim to 
him. He has quitted me so wisely, and so much to my 
Wishes that I beg of You to accept of him. Do I live to part 
with Pleasure with such a Favorite ! Who knows but I may 
see Tendresse 1 forsaken! That little Darling may court my 
regards when he despairs of Yours. Strange things happen in 
this World for I am now the first, who lately thought myself 
the last, of Mortals in Felicity. Forgive me, I have shewn 
Your letter to the Dean, 2 and heard so many fine Things said 
upon it, that tho' I knew them just, I was glad to know You 
were thirty miles asunder. To make myself some amends for 
hearing my Thoughts so finely express'd I flew to Mrs. 
Magdalina Hamilton 3 who has charg'd me with a Commission, 
which I dare not deliver yet awhile in the warm manner in 
which I received It, but She shall find me a very dutiful 
Nephew, when You honour me with the Title. She ask'd me 
about Names, but as I am no Clergyman I don't pretend to 
Christen. The only Name I desire is in Your Pow'r to give 
me, and I promise You I '11 make a Good one. The Dean 
asked me when he should write to You. I told him not till 
You were married, so now it is in your own Pow'r to hear 
from him as soon as you please. He will use me basely if he 
writes to you sooner but what is not to be expected from a 
Rival ! I fear it will be Wednesday before I can return to 

1 Miss Hamilton's Lapdog. 2 Dean Swift. 

3 Miss Hamilton's Maiden Aunt. 



i 4 8 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

you ; Could I convey myself as fast as I can my Ideas Sir John 
St. Leger should not drag me from you but whilst I sign my 
Name. Dean Dopping is very well. I will here end as I shall 

my Life in Gratitude and Admiration of You 

ORRERY. 

LORD ORRERY TO MISS HAMILTON. 

Dublin, June 6th, 1738. 

I AM just come Madam from the immortal Falkner, who 
is singing Your Praises to all Customers that come to his 
Shop. He ask'd my Leave to write to you, which I genteely 
gave him, and promis'd me to use the Liberty with Discretion. 
The Hero is in high Spirits upon hearing that Ducknose is 
safe in England, and that the Sea is now between them. Sir 
John St. Leger, whose piety permitts him not to travel on 
Sunday, arriv'd not in Dublin till yesterday, and so fatigued 
with his Journey that he will do no Business till Tomorrow, 
so that it will be Friday before I can have the unspeakable 
Pleasure of beholding you. Sure these Men of legal Business 
never knew what it was to love, or else they are the most 
ill-natured caitifs in the World, and chuse to torment as well 
as cheat all Mortals. I have terrible news for Your Dog 
Hector, they tell us from Marston his Wife Windsor is dead. 
Break the news gently to him, and have a bottle of salts in 
readiness, lest he faints or falls into Fitts. The young Prince, 
the Parmenides of the Age, is the finest Child that ever the 
Sun shone upon. He has Witt, Valour and Beauty in every 
Feature of his Face and every limb of his Body ! It is averr'd 
also that if the word Spaniard is pronounc'd he roars most 
heroically, but at the Name of the Queen of Spain grows sick 
and refuses his Water-pap. This it was that alarmed his 
Parents, and made them Christen Him in such Haste, but 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 149 

upon ceasing ever to mention the Spanish Majesty he thrives 
abundantly, and as we could wish. I am most impatient to be 
at London, in the meantime believe me Madam Yr own 

ORRERY. 
LORD ORRERY TO LADY ORRERY. 

Duke St., Westminster, November id, 1738. 

You see my Dear Countess by my Seal that I have arrived 
safe and at Your Service. Hounslow Heath over, I mett Lord 
Henry taking in some of ' the malevolent Park Air ' about one 
at Noon ; and landed in my own Study soon after. I could 
only reach Staines last night ; the Roads I came thro' yesterday 
were like Judge Pages unpassable, so that I must take three 
days at least for my return. But if I talk of returning it is 
because I wish it, for by what Joe says, I have Papers enough 
of poor dear Mr. Kempe's to keep me in Town a full week. 
Your Letter my more charming Wife than Mistress lay on my 
Table whence I snatch'd it up, and it now lies in my Bosom, 
which your dear Hand has so often fir'd. But why so formal 
my dear Life ? You owe me no Duty, but if you owe me 
anything it must be Love, my Love being as far beyond 
expression as your merits are beyond description. Your 
Commands about your Musick shall be obey'd for St. James's 
Bell has made so inharmonious a sound for the last half hour, 
that I am too much out of Tune to converse with any Music 
Master that out-does a Bell Harp. I have receiv'd a letter 
from Uncle Dopping, he says Mrs. Dopping has been ill but 
is better ; those I love so well as I love Her, and those in 
whom I discern so many excellent Qualities, are I think born 
to give me ten thousand fears for their safety. This Year has 
made Havock eno' in my poor Bosom, in the loss of Dr. 



150 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

Helsham, now Mr. Kempe. I hope I shall not lose any more 
these seven I could say seventy-times seven years. Charles 
has a cold and hoarseness, he looks thin but is hearty and gay. 
Take Duty and Compliments from All who see me. The 
Usquebaugh is come. I expect Ld. Cecil every moment, and 
when He is gone I '11 slip out to the Play, and Gallery it as in 
Old Times. Wherever I am my Heart will be with You. 

O. 

LORD ORRERY TO LADY ORRERY. 

Duke St., Westminster, Nov. 9, 1738. 

I WROTE to my dear Countess an intolerable long Letter 
by the Post. This comes by Jack. Would he could tell you 
when I shall follow. You cannot hear that till Monday and I 
shall be fortunate if enabled to tell you so soon. Send not 
the Chaise till I am positive as to the Time. The D ss of 
Buck 1 ", from whom I am just come, is extremely ill and 
thinks herself in Danger. She says She has appointed me one 
of her Executors. I hope her fears are greater than her 
illness, tho' she has an inflammation on her lungs that threatens 
worse symptoms. What a comfort it would be to me to have 
You in this Day of Trial. O that I could fly to You on the 
Wings of Love. In the meantime I live on your delightful 
Letters. Ld. Boyle is better but not yet gone to School. On 
Monday you shall hear again from Yr Faithfull and affection- 
ate Husband, 

ORRERY. 

THE SAME TO THE SAME. 

Nov. n, 1738. 

I NOW write to my dearest Angel with the utmost pleasure 
because I have some Prospect of returning to your charming 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 151 

Bosom ; where I shall live in Happiness and bid Adieu to 
Care. . . . You say something that might please my Ill- 
Nature, but it is so dark that I can scarcely think it ; however 
it will be consistent with your kindness to explain it further 
the time that I meet the Chaise on Friday. All I beg is that 
if you have hurt your Foot you would keep above stairs. . . . 
Adieu my Dear, I am heartily tired of this dismal Town, and 
my nights of late have been restless but while I live I am 

wholly Yours, 

O. 

THE SAME TO THE SAME. 

Nov. 14, 1738. 

CEASE eating Cheese my delightful Angel, and prepare for 
bad weather I am coming ! I am setting sail for the Harbour 
of all Delight and Happiness, and on Saturday Night prepare 
to receive me in Porte. Nothing can be a Pleasure to me at 
this Distance from You. I hate Every Body and Every 

Thing and am as peevish and tyrannical as old S . I never 

drink any Health but Yours let who will be named, for to me 
you are all charms and all goodness. The King and I (if 
Gold and Dirt may be nam'd together) have great colds. All 
the Town have the same Honour. I had a suspicion from 
one word in your letter of Nov. 8, that you was lame, but as 
I do not find it confirm'd by that of the nth, I '11 feed up no 
more vain Fears till I see you and examine your pretty feet. 
Now for scandal Lady Tyr y l is with child : Some talk of 
Ld Peterboro', others of Ld J. Murray but my most spiteful 
Freinds of Ld Clancarthy. Ly Lucy W n has passed some 
Nights with Jernegan the Banker at Chelsea, but she soon 

1 Lady Tyrawley, wife of Lord Kilmaine and Tyrawley (family name O'Hara) ; a 
distinguished General, and daughter of Viscount Mountjoy. There were no 
descendants and the Titles became extinct. 



i 5 2 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

turned him off, and he return'd by Water to his House in 
Covent Garden, quite cool and composed. Now for News 
Ly Dorothy Boyle (Ld Burl n 's daughter) on the point of 
marriage with Ld Euston. Miss Spencer to Sir Dashwood, 
and poor Ld Shannon to his Grave. I will defer other par- 
ticulars till I see my Love. Time won't move at all till then. 
Remember the Chaise at Amesbury on Friday Night Adieu, 
Adieu my Life till I fling myself into the Paradise of your 
Arms. 

ORRERY. 



LORD ORRERY TO LADY ORRERY. 

D. St., ffestr., Tuesday Morning, Feb. 27, 1739. 

MY DEAR COUNTESS, Could I forget that I was a 
hundred Miles from you, I should rejoice exceedingly at 
having taken this journey to London. There is a greater 
Spirit in the Nation than has been known, since the Days 
of your Favourite, Queen Elizabeth ; and what is better it 
is the true Spirit of Liberty and a righteous Thirst of 
Glory. Judge to what a height it is risen when the Minister's 
Majority in the House of Commons was Yesterday but 
twelve. The Populace on these Occasions are apt to be too 
fierce and ungovernable, and Sir R. was forc'd last Friday 
to call in all the Constables of Westminster to his Assist- 
ance, and to be guarded and environ'd by many Gentlemen, 
his Freinds, as He pass'd from the H. of C. thro' the Court 
of Requests. But his worst Days are not yet come, and I 
hope none of his Days will be so bad as to have him fall 
by any Hand but that of Justice. This Day our Scene of 
Action opens itself. It will last long. I therefore write to 
you Early in the Morning least I should not have time to 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 153 

write so fully as my Heart could wish. Your Letter of 
Yesterday rejoiced and delighted me extremely. May God con- 
tinue you in the State you are in, till I see some future sprawling 
young Prince or Princess of Caledon, not less an Heir to your 
Virtues than to your Estate. Yesterday we determined, that 
English Peers (including Peers of Scotland also) have Priviledge 
in Ireland. So that point is settled. I was most graciously 
receiv'd by the King, who did me the Honour to ask me 
many Questions, and gave me an Opportunity to tell Him, 
that my Arm occasion'd my being so late in paying my Duty 
to His Majesty. He seem'd not displeased to find I had paid 
no Visit to the Bath. Not so his Son : who took some pains 
to shew Every Body in the H. of Lds that I was no Favorite ; 
which you may be sure lower'd my Spirits to a Degree of 
Despair ; but I have at length overcome it, and feel no Morti- 
fication but what arises from the intolerable distance I am 
flung from you. Be assur'd my Thoughts are never from 
You ; You live in my Bosom, would I were this moment in 
yours ! Keep up your Spirits as much as possible, but wonder 
not in your condition to find them low. I am interrupted, and 
can write no more this morning : at Night I '11 attack you 
again. 

Tuesday Night, 27. 

Just return'd from the House, where I have sat from One 
till past Eight. Heard Witnesses, and deferr'd the Debate 
till Thursday. The P. satt this day among the Patriot Lords 
for the first time. Excuse more particulars till I recover my 
Fatigue, and Good Night my ador'd Countess. Ld B. is ever 
your dutiful son, 

O. 



154 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

LORD ORRERY TO LADY ORRERY. 

The Last of February, 1739. 

MY DEAR COUNTESS, I have an Opportunity of sending 
this by W. Smith so can write more freely than I do by Post. 
I was this morning surpris'd by a Visitt from Dean Madding, 
who is to send me To-morrow a Piece of Cloth for You. You 
may be sure I was inquisitive into the Cause assign' d for Sr 
D. M.'s unfortunate End, which has proceeded in all pro- 
bability from a most melancholy Disposition, heighten' d by an 
Imagination that his Form was hideous. A Paper found on 
his Table confirms this last Conjecture ; the words are in 
Latin, and it is hard to translate exactly, but the Sense is * That 
the Strange Figure which Nature had made for a laughing 
Stock should be destroy'd.' Dn M g comes on an Appeal to 
Our House. A Sailor who was married the Other Day gave 
this motto to the Bride's maid's favours, ' No Search but in 
Port.' The P. is the Fly on the Wheel, B ke the Snake in 
the Grass. The M r l is now in real Danger. Happy we 
who are engaged to no Party, not even a quadrille one ! 
Strange Things were prov'd before us Yesterday. What 
To-morrow will produce I know not. We shall have warm 
Work, and I am not sorry to be present on an Occasion when 
the Interest of my Country is at Stake. Hammy's Letter is 
some Comfort to me, but He mentions You only in a Post 
Script as well. One Line cannot hurt You, and I fear You 
abstain'd from writing because You was ill. Friday will 
comfort me I hope : tho' I bid You not write often, I find I 
must see some Words under your dear Hand or am all 
Despair. But don't run the slightest Risk even to comfort 

my dearest Angel yr own 

O. 

1 Minister. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 155 

THE SAME TO THE SAME 

Thursday Night, 10* oV. 
March ist, 1739. 

MY DEAR LIFE, I am this moment returned from the 
House : tir'd as you may imagine, pretty heartily. I can tell 
you no Particulars, only that the P. Voted with us, but spoke 
not. Excuse me from adding more, since no words, had I 
time for 'em, can express how excessively I love you, 

ORRERY. 

THE SAME TO THE SAME. 

Saturday Morning, 8 0Y. 
March ^d, 1739. 

JUST arrived from the most disagreeable Place in the 
World now my Bed ! I hate it and yet ... It is the same 
case I hope at Marston. ... I observ'd You was always 
worse on the Days when you slept longest, and as you are now 
(excepting what 's within) in the State you was ere I had the 
happiness to know you, Pray my Love rise as early as you 
tell me you did then, but don't take as much exercise. I am 
suspicious about your Health, in your Letter you mention 
it only in a Postscript, and putt that last which I look for 
first. Not even your Witt is relishable till I know how you 
do. Speak freely, do you go on as I wish? . . . You may 
let me know all these Things in a bitt of Paper enclosed 
in your letter, and thus speak freely to the Flames I mean 
the Flames in the Chimney. Our Ncgociations in Parlia- 
ment have ended shamefully. The H. of Lords have 
return'd the King Thanks in an Address for this matchless 
Convention. I suppose the Commons will do the same on 
Thursday. We satt later than we have satt these 40 last 
years, but to little purpose ; His H. was at our Head. The 



156 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

D. of Arg. and Ld Chest d spoke as if inspir'd by Minerva and 
Apollo : but our Troops deserted us. Essex, Lymington and 
Lovel herded with the Majority. The Bishops four stood 
their Ground, nor fear'd the Frowns of their Metropolitan. 
In his Return from the House, the P. was overturn'd in his 
Chair and near being kill'd. Don't think I am that rough and 
slovenly Animal here, you have seen at Marston. I shave 
every other Day, I shine in Velvetts, and smile in Brocade, in 
short I am an errant Adonis, if any Lady but your dear Self 
could find it out but should some female fair fling her 
alluring Eyes towards my blooming Cheek, there only must 
she feast, for my Heart is impregnable, and owns no Mistress 
but Yourself. I din'd this day at the D. of Dorsett's with 
several Irish and Oxford Acquaintances. The D. was, and is 
always good and gracious to me. Gemini 1 was here and I was 
abroad : I know not where He lives or I would send to Him. 
Musick at present seems quite out of the Fashion ; so sings 
the E. of Burl" and other Judges. If Eunuchs are laid aside, 
a Man may have some chance to please when he sings ' Sgombra 
del Anima tutto il 'Timor.' I began this Letter early this morn- 
ing, I end it late at Night, for the beginning of the Day, even 
till ye beginning of the next must be employ 'd in Vows of 

eternal Love to You, 

ORRERY. 

LORD ORRERY TO LADY ORRERY. 

March 6th, 1739. 

YOUR Letters my dear Countess, like yourself, are always 
agreeable, always acceptable to my Heart. Three times in 
the week I am sure to be happy, and my Spirits rise as the 
Hour of the Postman draws near. If a moment elapses 

1 The fashionable musician of the day. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 157 

beyond the usual time, I storm and frett like Lady Goose 
Taylor, and you will not wonder that I shall be more than 
commonly impatient, to see your dear Hand, when I am at 
Present pretty closely confin'd by Ld Boyle being ill of the 
measles. They appear'd last Night, and at present with all 
favourable symptoms, so that I am as easy as a Heart that 
loves ever to an Excess, will lett me. His Patience, which I 
am sure he inherits not from me, is prodigious. Dr. Mead, 
Chinnum Bale, and a good Nurse attend. Marston air will do 
him good after some thorough Purgations, which are the chief 
Regimen to be pursued as soon as is proper. Your Health is 
perpetually in my thoughts tell me how you go on. Ah ! 
my Dear my Love increases with Time. I hope to be as soon 
in your Arms as poor Charles' illness will allow of, but you 
must consider some time is necessary ere I can move him 
safely. Be particular in the Accounts of your Condition, 
because I love you, and You love, far beyond his merits, Your 
own 

ORRERY. 

THE SAME TO THE SAME. 

March lot/t, 1739. 

MY DEAR COUNTESS, Your Letters you know are ever 
Dear to me, but not when I think they give You pain to write. 
I am detain'd from seeing you by Ld Boyle whom I propose 
to bring with me when he is quite well. I am impatient for 
Monday's news. I '11 forgive the Rats for once if they were 
the cause, but I hope you '11 think of proper methods if you 
are again . . . This we '11 talk of more leisurely when I have the 
happiness to hope for another Caledonian. When I can come 
to you is uncertain ; 'tis only certain as soon as possible. 
Ld B. is recovering bravely. On Tuesday I shall be able to 



158 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

say much more, the important Cause coming on on Monday. 
Folios would not contain what I have to tell you, and yet All, 
All, All is Love. Cruel separations have happened to us of 

late, would we were together at Caledon Adieu, 

O. 

LORD ORRERY TO LADY ORRERY. 

March i$tA, 1739. 

I AM happy my dear Life to find ye Strength of yr Hand 
is restor'd. Your Witt and your agreeable manner of writing 
never fails you. How often do I think of you ! How im- 
patient am I to be with you. But this Boy must not be 
mov'd till he is thoro'ly purged. The Cause went against me 
as we guess'd ; the Particulars I have not now time to tell you. 
You are, and ever will be, my Sheet Anchor ; the Comfort as 
well as Delight of my Soul. My Uncle Selkirk died this 
morning ; I have been three hours looking over his Papers. 
No will can be found, and till there is, Lord Boyle stands as 
Heir at Law, but I fancy a Will will be produced in time, tho' 
perhaps now in Scotland. I am to attend a Private Bill in ye 
H. of Lords To-morrow at eleven o'clock, and am by the 
Postman forc'd to end this letter as fast as possible. This 
seal'd I '11 to bed, and hope to dream of You, for on Earth 
there is I am sure nothing so dear to Your 

ORRERY. 

THE SAME TO THE SAME. 

Duke St., March i$t/i, 1739. 

YOUR charming Letter came to me last Night. I am 
pleas' d with the Care you take of Yourself and the care that 
is taken of You, and am only sorry that You want it. Ld B. 
is full of thanks for yr Kindness : his eyes will not lett him 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 159 

tell You so on Paper. It is impossible my dearest Life to 
express the Impatience I suffer in being absent from You, and 
now You say that You are perfectly well forgive me if I long 
to make You sick again. You are charming in my Eyes. . . . 
I kiss your Picture again and again, and yet I cannot fix the 
day when I shall sett out. Be assur'd It shall be ass soon as 
I can. The Royal Family encreases : The Princess brought 
forth a Son yesterday, would You had some of the German 
Strength, or at least were as strong as you look to be. 
Though I have much to say to You, I have little to commit to 
Paper, for Impertinences, Follies, Airs, Duns and merry 
Stories are fitter for your ears than the eyes of the Postmaster. 
Pray write always on as large Paper as this, for as You have 
nothing little in your soul, I would have Nothing little come 
from you except a little Child. I wish much to rackett with 
you a little about Marston, and if I was to have Things 
exactly as I wish I could desire You not to meet with your 
Deserts till we arriv'd at dear Caledon, and then you might in 
nine months bring forth two to make up for lost Time. I 
propose vast Pleasure in our retirement at Caledon, in making 
improvements, and in enjoyment of you without interruption. 
I am tir'd of this Town, nay I am tir'd of the Kingdom, 
except of that little Spot of it where you are, but our Fate 
must be submitted to. It is ever with Regrett I bid you, as 
I must now, for Company is come in, Farewell. 

ORRERY. 

THE SAME TO THE SAME. 

March zoth, 1739. 

I COME my Dearest Angel. I fly to your Arms ; how 
impatient am I to repose myself in your Bosom, after this 
tedious Absence! What a H I leave and to what a 



160 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

Heaven I am going ! The Coach is ready, Charles is dress'd 
and my Heart in Transports at this moment. To-night we 
propose to rest at Eggum, To-morrow at Basingstoke, on 
Thursday at Salisbury, and on Friday in the belov'd Parish of 
Marston Bigod. This salutes you on Thursday, but on 
Friday the Writer flings Himself at your Feet. I bring down 
with me Mr. Ferribee, who is my Chaplain, and was my 
Schoolfellow at West r and Fellow Collegian at Oxford. He 
was Author of those Verses on our Marriage which met with 
your Approbation. 1 He buried his Wife about a Fortnight 
agoe, and therefore we must amuse his Melancholy as well as 
we can. Tell Hammy I bring Coffee-Pott, to be knocked 
down a second Time in the Hall. Your News of our little 
Heroe made me easy and happy, but he should take the 
Physick when I come down. I could write to you for Ever, 
but when I consider that I am now only losing time in getting 
to You, I break off with Pleasure, being my dearest Life 

Yours, only Yours, 

ORRERY. 

LORD ORRERY TO LADY ORRERY. 

Duke St., Westr., March 7, 1740/1. 

HERE am I my dear Countess amidst Your Freinds and 
my own ; I dined with the Old Col: and am just returned 
from the D 58 who looks well and has the liveliest truest 
Affection. I am to dine with her on Tuesday but her dis- 
tresses, her disappointments, her excellencies, her goodness, 
poor Lady ! are Themes for our Conversation hereafter, 
write to her I entreat you. You will be glad to hear she is 
not much in Debt. The Col: as he was, no stomach, much 

1 The Verses in question would scarcely meet with the same good fortune from 
Readers of the present Day, being in the usual florid style of nattering banality which 
was considered suitable at that date to such an occasion. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 161 

wind, many handkerchiefs and good qualities. Lord Boyle 
has bought Kitty some presents this day in the City, he goes 
to school on Tuesday. 

THE SAME TO THE SAME. 

March 12, 1740/1. 

IF you form your imagination of my love and tenderness, 
merely upon the basis of my expressions, indeed you wrong 
yourself and me. My expressions are ever deficient of my 
Thoughts. I say all I can, and when I have said all I think 
I have said Nothing. . . . Those dear, those pretious Tears 
shed on my cheek at parting have taken deep root in my 
Heart. I want you much, my Cold is not gone, the E. wind 
nourishes it. Bale swears I must keep at home and gives 
me Juleps ; I curse him and take 'em. You know I am a 
complying animal to the whole Race of 'Pothecaries. Lady 
Dorothy Boyle is soon to be married ; according to Ld 
Bruce's information in about three weeks. Ld Burlington 
was here but unfortunately I was abroad. Mr. Pope is at 
Twitnam, he has invited me thither but I cannot go till N.E. 
wind changes. I was very graciously received at Court, not 
one word of Ball ... or of Betty Montgomery, but many 
questions asked about Caledon. I am glad Betty is better 
may Kitty improve and grow more like you every Day is the 
wish of the most faithfull ardent Heart of your Own 

ORRERY. 

THE SAME TO THE SAME. 

Duke St., fffstmr., March 24, 1740/1. 

MY DEAR LOVE, By this Post goes a large Packett to 
you from the D ss l which will puzzle you as much as if it were 

1 The Duchess of Buckingham had many troubles connected with the details of 
her husband's will and her money difficulties. The payment also of a pension settled 

VOL. II. L 



162 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

Arabick : it is, I beleive, a Detail of her whole Affairs, an 
account of her base usage, and monstrous Affronts She has met 
with, and some kind civilities and tender expressions towards 
You, wishing much to see You here. You will answer it on 
these topicks accordingly. Cruel winds that detain from me 
what I now look upon with eagerness and desire, your dear 
letters ! Your Footman is come. I am training him to 
messages, and have sent him half round the Town already. 
When you come (for that notwithstanding my Passion for you, 
I leave to your own Will) pray bring Kitty weaned. You will 
find Dr. Barry is of opinion that she may well be weaned about 
May. May I hope for you then ? It will make the Time 
seem shorter if I can look at the Almanack and point out my 
Day, or at least Month of Happiness. Sad weather still. 
Ferribee arrived, fiery and red as Vulcan. Dr. King better ; 
I walked with him in the Fields on Sunday, the first day he 
put on his Cloaths. He has my Ode and so has Lord Chester- 
field. Georgy shall have it next Post. Thus you will hear 
my Name hawking about with bloody Murder at Dublin, and 
I shall see it stuck up in every Pamphlet Shop in London. 'Twill 
cost me many Blushes, but the red will not last so long on my 
Face as Ferribee's, nor proceed from the same cause. The 
satyr on Curll is left out. My cold is better, but not quite 
gone off. Every Body has a cold. I hope your weather is 
less severe in Ireland. See how I am reduced for News, 
when I talk of weather ! but I shall observe it more when I 



on her for life by James n. was disputed by later Governments, but she succeeded in 
obtaining its continuance. Although her friendship for the Orrerys and a few other 
connections remained uninterrupted to the end, she made numerous enemies by affect- 
ing the airs, and trying to assume the position and ceremonies, of semi-Royalty, which 
were naturally much resented in general Society. Among other personages of im- 
portance, she more than once fell violently foul of Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough, in 
whose ample bosom enmity was not a dormant factor. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 163 

think you are on the Seas. Angels protect you on Sea and 
Land! 

ORRERY. 

Lord Chesterfield has been here a million of compli- 
ments ! eno' to make me vain indeed. But your choice of 
me, and your affection to me, make me vainer, and greater, 
and happier than the highest opinion of the whole world beside. 
Adieu my Love. I hope your letters will be long when I 
receive them. In the meantime I must live on those already 
received. 

LORD ORRERY TO LADY ORRERY. 

Duke St., Westr., March 30, 174.0/1. 

I HAVE so many things to say to you, that I know not 
where to begin. First let me thank you for your two letters, 
which I have read over and over. I am glad you think my 
expressions kind, they are always short of the dictates and 
overflowings of my heart. You are the object of my wishes, 
the height of my Ambition, the darling of my Soul, and the 
unrivalTd Empress of my Desires. I cannot be happy, no, 
I cannot be easy without you, think of that my dearest Life, 
and hasten to me as fast as you can. To induce you to it, 
Dr. Mead will certainly meet you at Stowe, I passed one day 
with him, his Spirits, Witt, Vivacity, Understanding and 
Memory are all untouched. Arch Deacon Russell I flatter 
myself will come with you. How happy shall I be then ! 
especially if you bring Kitty weaned, which according to 
Dr. Barry's advice you ought to do. The footman I have 
taken seems to answer my expectations ; he shaves excellently, 
is nimble, active and diligent hitherto. I have gone so far as 
to hire a Cook and Housekeeper in one Person ; she is 



164 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

excellently recommended, appears well, and is a young well 
looking Woman. I believe I shall proceed to a Housemaid, 
thus far till you come. You may then make what Alterations 
You think fitt. I think you may make a Landry above Stairs, 
if so, I own I love this house too well to leave it. Lord Boyle is 
gone to School. Fell is grown a Maypole. Lord Orkney is in 
a most melancholy way : cries at the sight of everybody ; looks 
ill, and is much to be pitied. Lord Scarborough is at Paris, 
drinking the Waters of Passy two miles from Paris ; rather better 
but extremely ill. The Town have a notion they were undone. 
Selwyn is at Gloucester making interest not for money but an 
Election. Old Southerne torments me much he wants you, or 
your Beef and Pudding, judge you which ! He is just what you 
left him, only more inquisitive, more hungry and more forget- 
full. Here I broke off to go to the Dr. who has kept me till this 
moment, half an hour after ten, so I must bid you a good Rest. 

O. 

LORD ORRERY TO LADY ORRERY. 

April 14, 174.1. 

I AM going out of Town this morning my Love, with 
Mr. Pope, and Ld Chesterfield, an honour I esteem higher 
than I should an Attendance on His Sacred Majesty King G. 
I am now perfectly well, determined for Marston Sunday, 
but cannot consent to your bringing Kitty unwean'd. Let 
me meet you as a Husband, tho' I stay a month longer 
for the happiness. Consider what it is to be banish'd for 
so many months. Consider I love only You. Consider 
Oh ! consider nothing at all but obey me. You promised it 
at Marriage, I now put you to the execution of that Promise. 
Dr. Barry will tell you the Girl has been suckled long eno\ 
Believe him if you will not regard me, and wean her my Dear 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 165 

wean her. Pond will be best for your Picture. Pray give me 
a List of whom you present my Poem to. I have sent F. the 
Poem to the D ss by this Post and a Letter which You will 
see and must return to me. Adieu my Love, my Soul, my 
Angel. I think of You incessantly, I defye Your Image to be 
absent from me, though your dear Person is separated by Seas 
and Mountains. Mr. Dopping has made me a present of a 
Nett for which I am extreamly obliged to him. The D. of 
Devon: shuns me as if I were a Dun. I fear the good Dean 
will lose the Mitre. Cox will catch It. When I have better 
News to send You I will. The D ss is recovered poor Lady ! 
I shall amaze you with some of her Misfortunes. Much, 
much I have to say to you. Innumerable kisses to give you. 

In short my Heart and Soul are yours. 

ORRERY. 

THE SAME TO THE SAME. 

Oxford, May 29^, 1741. 

I WRITE this from Dr. King's Study at St. Mary Hall. I 
am sure you envy my Situation, and it is to be envied from 
the Place in general, the Study in particular, but most of all 
from the Elegance, Politeness, Learning and Friendship of the 
Master. He is gaining ground very fast, not so fast as we 
wish, but as fast as the perverseness of his Distemper will 
admit of. He will meet you at Stowe unless I murder him by 
those cruel long walks which amidst the pleasure and improve- 
ment of his conversation 1 am too apt to indulge myself in. 
To prevent so monstrous an Action, I will tear myself from 
him this afternoon, and hope to reach our Yellow Room in 
Duke St. Tomorrow Night. But what is any Place of mine 
without You ! Only the reverse of what it was, a Hell instead 
of a Heaven. Hasten to me therefore with all expedition ; 



i66 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

that you know is the Burden of my Song. Ld Boyle is yours 
most dutifully ; I will do no injustice to Dr. K.'s expressions 
by endeavouring to repeat them, the Honour he pays you still 
continues. He desires you would bring over to Him a Sett of 
Swift's Works. I desire nothing but Yourself, nor can I think 
of any thing else knowing neither happiness nor repose but 

within your dear Arms. 

ORRERY. 

LORD ORRERY TO LADY ORRERY. 

June 3, 1741. 

YOURS my dearest Life from London made me happy 
yesterday more from the sight of the Hand than from the 
contents, since you seem'd to fear Kitty will be the worse for 
being wean'd. Seriously Dr. B. told me a child ought not to be 
suckled too long but I recall all I Ve said if she runs the least 
hazard. I cannot bear to hurt our child. I assure you I am 
under the utmost uneasiness about it. Let your Answer ease 
me if possible. Must I not hope to see you soon ? Sure if 
you lov'd me as I love. Yes you do ! Well I '11 be patient, 
but I am all Expectation, all Hope, all Desire. An Object to 
excite your Pity, if not your Love. The best and dearest 
Friend we have on this side of the Water, is hastening beyond 
Sea. Would you could see Her before She went. Oh ! I 
have much to say to you, but for To-day Adieu. 

ORRERY. 

THE SAME TO THE SAME. 

Duke St., Westr., June 6, 174.1. 

IT is impossible to tell you what Joy I receive at seeing 
a Day fix'd for your return. The i8th of June runs in my 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 167 

Head perpetually. I shall count the hours and the moments 
and think them tedious till you arrive. I hope the Child will 
continue perfectly well. Pray bring with you the new Edition 
of my Verses to the D ss of B m , and two or three of Falkner's 
edition of Swift's Letters. I am hurried, blaz'd, invit'd and 
perplex'd all day long and everyday. Ld Boyle would rejoice 
infinitely to have the pleasure of meeting you, but the poor 
dear Boy is not well ; I hope Dr. Mead will restore him. 
You know my Love of him, and may guess my Situation 
a strong Motive for Your hastening over. Pray guess if you 
can, the day you may be at Stowe. The moment you come 
to Chester you must let me know and I beleive stay a Day 
there to rest poor Kitty, and give me time to sett outt, which 
I shall do with a Lover's Joy being very impatient to be in 
your Arms. 

ORRERY. 



THE SAME TO THE SAME. 

June i-jth, 1741. 

1 DIRECT this my dearest Life to Chester, in hopes it is 
too late to find you in Ireland. If you keep to your Intentions 
You sett sail To-morrow, I shall most diligently watch the 
winds, and propose to sett out on Monday or Tuesday to meet 
you. At Stowe there is no tolerable Inn ; Buck m is the place 
you should go to, it is two miles from Stowe. However any 
Inn, any Hovel, any Cabbin will seem an enchanted Palace to 
me if I meet you there. I heartily wish Mrs. Hamilton may 
come with you. I will bring Blossom that you may ride, 
for we must find a place for Mr. Pope and bring him to Town, 
I was to have gone Yesterday as far as Rochester with the 
good Duchess, in her way to Dover, but she has put off her 



i68 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

journey till Tomorrow. I am sorry you will be too late to 
see her. Ldy Berkshire is in Town, and so is Ldy Andover 
to lie in. My Ld Berksh: in the Country. Ldy Betty 
Spellman is ill. Lord Boyle is rather better, but immensely 
thinn, little Appetite. My heart aches most exceedingly about 
him ; he is not yt gone to school. I have much hope in your 
nursing, and I have much to say to you of him, myself and 
a thous d People or things. Mr. Pope is at Oxfd with Dr. 
King ; the Dr. will bring us home that Evening I beleive, and 
who can disobey his commands ? I need say no more till 
I clasp you in my loving Arms. Adieu, Adieu. 

ORRERY. 



LORD ORRERY TO LADY ORRERY. 

March iot/1. 

I AM setting out for Windsor, yet will not miss an Oppor- 
tunity of writing to you. I am sorry poor Edmund suffers 
so much from this windy weather, of all weathers it is the least 
agreeable, and least agrees with me ; but I was well eno' to 
slip out to the Oratorio into Ld Burlington's box last night. 
He is always kind, polite and obliging. Edmund's horse I 
hope is arriv'd safe : the main and tail will be demolished 
long before I come, but I hope he will not ride so hard as to 
wear out his saddle ; if it pleases him I shall be very glad. 
His cold perhaps proceeds from the Teeth : they appear in 
all sorts of shapes. Mrs. Mead is much better at Kensington 
Gravel Pits. Mrs. Horner mends slowly. Lady Betty con- 
tinues as she was. Lady Arran, with whom I have laughed 
exceedingly, is much your Servant. Poor Mr. Pope is very 
ill at Twitnam, I am under great anxiety about him. Byres 
and I have parted in the civilest manner in the World. Our 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 169 

Stars were Castor and Pollux, so we must be asunder, tho' 
twins in the Gout. I have taken another Cook and will never 
travel without him. Invasions and all dangers in the State I 
hope are over. Storms in the Gardens too I hope will cease. 
Plant away as fast as you may, I shall like all Places you chuse, 
and take great care of a certain Young Plant that will not be 
full blown till towards June. I am about a Work that I am 
sure will please you, and you '11 be surpriz'd at the Progress 
I have made. Idle as I am at Marston, I am the reverse at 
London ; but not at Windsor, where I must now hasten, and 
bid you with ten thousand kisses Adieu. 

ORRERY. 



THE SAME TO THE SAME. 

Saturday Morning, March 12, 174.2-3. 

IF any Man can be said to be quietly settled at Bath I am. 
The Parade was all full. I am in the House of Mr. Cleland's 
Mother-in-law (your Countrywoman), my Rooms old but 
comfortable, warm and convenient. I have not yet seen my 
Physician, and till he sets me in order I shall not reckon my- 
self an Inhabitant. The D. of Hamilton's Body is still here : 
the Family are so much at Enmity with each other, that they 
even cannot agree about burying him, so He lies where he 
died, and there is an important dispute whether He is to have 
a red or a black velvet Coffin. The D ss l has been used very 
ill by the Relations except Ld Clysdale, but I dare say he will 
return no more to Oxford. He is beseiged and has lost his 

1 Anne, daughter and co-heir of Edward Spencer, Esqr., and 3rd wife of James, 
fth D. of Hamilton. 

James, eldest son and successor as 6th D. of H. 

Lord Archibald, eldest son by the 3rd wife, and eventually 9th D. of H. 

Lady Anne, married ist Marquis of Donegal. 



170 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

Solicitor, so He must yield. The D 85 jointure is 4000 per 
ann: and all her own returns to her, with an Addition of 
twenty thousand Pounds for her Children ; three in number, 
two Sons and one Daughter, all sickly; Ld Archibald, the 
youngest, thought to be dying, if not dead. Ld Cly: very 
ill. Does not Lady Anne stand in the way of Fortune ? The 
Furniture of Hamilton is all left by a Will made here to 
Ld Clysedale, otherwise it had been sold : not a farthing of 
Selkirk's money touched, but a vast debt at this Place : in- 
numerable Servants, Hawks, Hounds, Table, etc. etc. Fifteen 
Trustees to the Will, ten of them in Scotland, so that probably 
the Body will remain here fifteen months. The D ss did not 
see the Duke in 10 days before his death. The Relations 
came down, and not being admitted were highly incensed. 
The Flame encreased, and now the Blaze is at its hight, which 
makes Fortune for the Lawyers. I am not very well To-day, 
but far from ill. However, I hope to be quite well soon. 
E 1 Wilmington l is here, D. of Dorset, and many others ; but 
the season is not begun. Adieu. All Happiness attend you ; 
mine cannot be compleat without you. Again Adieu. 

LORD ORRERY TO LADY ORRERY. 

Duke St., Westr., Jan. 12, 174.3-4. 

I WAS in Hopes to have had the pleasure of hearing from 
you yesterday, but Bowen's arrival satisfied me as to the 
health of you and Sir Edmund. Here we are all well, and 
busy and dirty as possible, nor can I appear in Publick till 
this Week (I beleive) is past. But Bowen's Presence helps 
us all forward. Yesterday the H. of Lds went thro' the 

1 Earl of Wilmington, 3rd son of James, 3rd Earl of Northampton, advanced to the 
dignities of Baron, Viscount, Earl, and K.G., for his distinguished services ; he left 
no issue and his titles died with him. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 171 

Witnesses of the D 58 of Beaufort's l Misconduct, as decently 
as such Misconduct can be prov'd, but Ld Ilchester proposed 
a Clause which might have demolished the Bill : he would 
have had a Prohibition added that the Dutchess might be 
incapable of marrying again ; You '11 easily guess why, when 
his brother Digby is next in remainder. The Chancellor, 
Ld Gower and some other Lords answer'd this strongly, and 
Ld Il r dropt his Proposal. But it is thought Ld Orf d 
would have interpos'd all his pow'r to have carri'd this Clause, 
had not he received a Message from Ld Talbot, that ' as Ld 
' Orf d was too old to give him Satisfaction in the Manner 

* he could wish, he would transmit him upon Journals in 

* infamous Character to Posterity, for the Day after the Bill 
' of Divorce passed the H. of Lds, he would come down 

* thither, and move that an humble address be presented to 
' His Majesty to remove the E. of Orf d from his Councils, 

* he having abused the Fountain of Honour, by making His 

* Majesty give a Patent of Honour and Precedence to a Bastard 
' born in . . .' You are to observe that any Motion made 
by a Peer, is ent'red on our Journals whether it be carried or 
rejected, and this Threat has kept Ld Orf d quiet, altho' 
some think it will still be made, because Ld II: is thought 
to have acted by his Instigation, and all this is to gain 
Mr. Digby 's Vote for the Court. Ld Talbot's friends are 
endeavouring to make up the Affair by Assurances to the 
Duke that she acted the part of a Virgo intacta^ but as yet 
the D. threatens a farther Prosecution, and intends to sue for 

1 The Duchess in question was Miss Scudamore, heiress of Holme Lacy in Here- 
fordshire, and the Co-respondent Lord Talbot, described by the witnesses as a ' swarthy 
man.' Lord Orrery preserved all the Evidence produced at the Trial, some of the 
details of which are curious, but impossible to relate. The Duke of Beaufort, who 
was much out of health at the time, only lived two years or so after the Divorce ; the 
locality on which occurred most of the scenes detailed was on the property of the 
present Lord North. 



172 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

Damages. Alass ! what money will make any Amends for 
such Injuries ! However of course his Expenses ought to be 
defray'd on this unhappy Occasion. Nobody knows where 
the D ss is. Nor is it known what is become of Ld Anglesey. 
His Tryal will scarce come before us this Session, the Attorney 
General to whom the K. has referred the Petition, declaring 
he cannot give his Opinion in so nice a Case for some Months 
more months probably than our Senate will continue sitting. 
I have ordered Bowen to send you No. I of that Tryal. It 
is not a false one, but it is not so genuine as one that will be 
published about three Weeks hence. I am sorry to tell you 
that Mrs. Mead is mad. I know no particulars, not having 
seen Mr. Apothecary Ball. Miss Levison, next Sister to the 
D 55 of Bedf d , was brought to Bed on Sunday after a private 
Marriage with Ld J. Sackville. The Families are as yet all in 
Anger, but I cannot tell you any circumstances. I expect the 
D ss To-night. I dine at the Marquis's To-night, and must 
bid you with Kisses, Love and Affection an unwilling Adieu. 

O. 

LORD ORRERY TO LADY ORRERY. 

Duke St., Westr., Jany. 16, 1743-4. 

WE arrived in Town (Ld Ailesbury and I in a Chariot and 
Charles on Rosy, Ches* being lame) in high Spirits and in 
great Safety : passing thro' Hyde Park just at the Hour when 
the old Women and the Children are rowling forth in Coaches 
to take in purer Smoke than can be caught in London. On 
the Road we overtook divers Friends of the H. of Commons, 
and eat and lay at the same Inns, so that we traveled as it were 
in Triumph, but I beleive all symptoms of the Triumph ceas'd 
at the Stones End. However here I am, prepared to fight 
under proper Captains, and resolv'd to fight the Enemy, in 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 173 

spite of Poverty, Laziness, and a much greater Inducement, 
the Charmes of your dear Company and Person. No Business 
is done To-day in our House, except a second reading of the 
Bill which I enclose, and to which they say She 1 gives no 
Opposition ; if so it will pass without the indecent Scenes that 
have generally discovered on such Occasions. Ld Burlington 
ask'd very kindly after you : he is a most amiable Man, the 
more you see Him, the more he must be esteemed and trusted. 
The Boys and I, and Russell are preparing for the Play, 
Garrick, Macbeth and a Farce ; Excuse me therefore if with 
my Compliments to Sir Edmund I thus hastily sign myself 

eternally yr own 

ORRERY. 

THE SAME TO THE SAME. 

Duke St., Jany. 17, 1743. 

YOUR Letter and your Postcript have come both to Hand 
yesterday. They found Mr. Pope here, who rejoices to hear 
you are well. The D. of Beaufort's Bill is pass'd thro' the 
H. of Lds. It is strange the Legislature should give so 
noble an allowance to such a Venus de Drury Lane ; but the 
D. is satisfied at any rate to have such a rotten rib taken from 
his side. Dr. King is not yet arriv'd. I expect him every 
Day, and to live with me. Mrs. Mead is perfectly recovered. 
Of Ld J. Sackville I have yet heard no more. I go this 
morning with the D. of Dorset to Court. I dine at Ld 
Burlington's on Thursday, at Mr. Lawe's on Friday with the 
Marquis. Yesterday the Buck" 1 Trustees or Executors met 
here, and I must devote every Saturday to them ; by these 
means I hope to return to you at, or before the beginning of 
March. But whatever you do in the House or Gardens let it 

1 The Duchess of Beaufort. 



174 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

be a secret to me. All you have ever done, all you will ever 
do must please me, let the whole therefore be a surprise upon 
me, and let me come into a new Paradise form'd by your fair 
Hands. Methinks you say much too little of Edmund : whose 
prochain ami I am going to declare myself in Chancery. Be 
more than ordinary carefull of taking him up in your Lap 
now, because tho' no King, I imagine him very prone to 
kicking. I rec d Betty's Letter and will answer it as soon as 
I can, it is better writ than ordinary. Not knowing whether 
I shall be at Home To-night I must seal my Letter now if 
any Thing extraordinary happens you shall have a Second ; but 
a Letter each moment could not express how entirely, how 
ardently and how truly my Heart and Soul is yours. 

ORRERY. 

LORD ORRERY TO LADY ORRERY. 

Duke St., Westr., Jany. 21, 1743-4. 

IT is impossible to receive greater pleasure at this distance 
from you than flows to me from your charming Letters. 
There is a mixture in them of Sense, Witt and Affection which 
makes me truly happy, and I wish I could send you more 
entertaining Letters from hence. Lord Cornbury l has flung off 
the Mask, and has spoken and voted for the Hanov. Troops. 
This Speech is beleived to summon him by Writ to the H. 
of Lds, if so there is a Vacancy for the University of Oxford. 
. . . There was not an opprobrious word in the English 

Language, that was not made use of and applied to Ha r 

and almost as much dirt flung at Ld Carteret, wh. only 
Sir Ch. Wyndham endeavour' d to wipe off, but stuck himself 

1 Henry, Viscount Cornbury, eldest son of Henry Hyde, second Earl of Rochester 
and fourth Earl of Clarendon. Lord Cornbury predeceased his father in 1752, and 
on the death of the latter in 1753 the Barony of Hyde, Viscounty of Cornbury, and 
Earldoms of Rochester and Clarendon all expired. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 175 

in the mire, and plung'd as deep in mud as any Hero in the 
Dunciad: be cautious of repeating what I tell you. I have 
forwarded your Letter to Mrs. C. and will write the others 
as fast as my hand will permitt, but upon my Word, my 
right wrist and both my feet are a good deal out of humour. 
Garrick shines in all parts, but particularly in Macbeth. I 
am sorry my Library is so much out of order. Mr. Boyle's 
Works I will send down as soon as possible for I am certain 
his Life will entertain you. I was most graciously received 
by His M y , and as much so at Burlington House. Ly 
Ch tte is finely improved, she will be a very handsome Woman. 
Ld and Ly B. both extreamly kind in their enquiries about 
you. The Duchess' Jewels are to be sold, and those beautifull 
Ivory Boys. They are by Flamingo. As to B m H. I reserve 
all for your ear. There is a fine Poem come out, 'The 
Pleasures of Imagination. I hear it is by West. I am 
interrupted and must bid you Adieu ; kiss Edmund from his 

Papa and your 

ORRERY. 

THE SAME TO THE SAME. 

Jany. 26, 1743-4. 

YOUR Letter, ever charming, ever tender, found me at 
Dinner here with the incomparable Dr. and the gentle Mr. 
Laws. I have been interrupted by a most melancholy Visit 
from Dr. Mead, tears flowing from him ! His Lady is 
relapsed into her Fever, and is in a most desperate Condition. 
There never was the least glimpse of Madness in her Case, 
yet Ld Grantham in the stupidity of his Nature, shock'd 
Dr. Mead with the Question. I fear she is gone. She was 
excellent in every step of Life, and a particular good Mother- 
in-Law. Thank God, I know another Step Dame, to whom I 



176 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

hope Heaven will grant as long Life as ever was allotted to 
Mortal, both for my children and her children's sakes. I was 
yesterday at Leicester House. I was very civilly received, 
but have not waited on the Princess. Let me be silent as to 
Miss Boyle, for I can tell you Nothing with certainty. The 
Town Tatlers are full of her marriage to an Officer without 
her Mother's consent. I hope and beleive it is not true. I 
shall know more, in the meantime I wish all right. Ld 
Scarbrough is very ill, too ill to be seen, a Cold I suppose. 
1 was there To-day but no Soul is admitted. Ld Orkney 
extremely ill ; not worse I beleive than usual. Ld Inchiquin 
very much yours, the best natur'd Man alive. Ly Arran and 
I have laughed so much to-day (don't be jealous) in ye Closet 
within her Bedchamber that my Sides are actually sore. My 
old Enemy is tolerably quiet, but appears now and then in 
the shape of the cramp. I do not doubt of Edmund's daily 
acquisition in knowledge. His gentleness is all your own, but 
for Heaven's sake send me some news of Yourself. Are you 
much bigger, are you free from sickness ? I hope so. I wish 
you every thing that esteem, affection, tenderness and love can 
inspire, and am your 

ORRERY. 



LORD ORRERY TO LADY ORRERY. 

Duke St., Jany. z%th, 1743-4. 

YOUR charming Letter came to my Hand as I return'd 
from the H. of Lds. We were up much sooner than was 
expected, and all the Town are disappointed till Tuesday, by 
a Point of Form which the Chan lor laid hold of and put off 
the Debate. However many warm and bold Things were 
said, even as the Matter was turn'd. Ld Bath spoke three 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 177 

times, ever in a Passion. Ld Sandwich opened and mov'd the 
Address against the Hanoverian Troops, and was seconded by 
Ld Harvey in one of the most elegant, I may add delicate 
Speeches I ever heard It was his first Essay and He was 
under the utmost Agonies, but as his whole dependence even 
for a Shilling is from Ld Bristol, I hope this Speech will 
procure him a Fortune. He is a Disciple of Ld Chesterf d , 
and has turned off all his Father's Friends. If he maintains 
his Character, and proves a steady Man, the Infamy of his 
Sire will add Lustre to his Glory. Poor Bat: 1 fights like a 
Swiss, and is much fallen in all eyes. Carteret was very bold, 
full of Latin, of Threats and of Boastings. Ld Ilchester 
made a set speech of little consequence. Ld Raym d talked 
nonsense without shame or awe. Ld Talbot spoke well. 
The Duke was in the House but not the P. of W. We had 
no Division, the subject was adjourned till Tuesday next, and 
we were dismiss'd about 8 o'C. I was forc'd to walk Home, 
and sneezed the whole way, tho' I ate some Gingerbread. 
However I am well this morning. Pray did you not send 
some cambrick handkercheifs for me? I thought you had. 
If so they are lost. I sup with Mrs. Horner to-night, dine 
at Laws's this afternoon, and To-morrow at the D. of Beau- 
fort's. I am impatient to hear some News of your dear 
self. Ld Scarbro' still continues ill. Mr. Pope is in the 
Country and I fear is ill. The Dr. is truly yours. He dines 
at Mr. Laws's, as does Ld Orford, General Dalziel, Ben 
Bathurst and your 

ORRERY. 

1 Bathurst. 



VOL. II. M 



i 7 8 THE ORRERY PAPERS 



LORD ORRERY TO LADY ORRERY. 

Duke St., Westr., Feb. 2, 1743-4. 

BEFORE I answer your kind and cogent Arguments as to 
my speaking, I will send you an Account of the Speeches on 
Friday last. It was one of the finest Debates I have ever 
heard. It was begun by Ld Sandwich with great Spirit, great 
Order and true Eloquence. The D. of Marlborough spoke 
next. Great were the Expectations when He arose. As I was 
near Him, I heard (altho* he spoke low) every word he said, 
and the Substance I beleive I can recollect pretty exactly : it 
was this ' My Lds, I shall trouble your Ldps with few 

* words on this occasion, the Lord who spoke before me having 

* given you the reasons for this Motion in so full and so 

* convincing a manner, but I must declare to your Ldps with 

* the utmost sincerity that it is my Opinion both from what I 

* heard the Noble Lord say and from what I myself observed 
' when I had the Honour to serve His Majesty abroad, that it 

* is incompatible with the British Forces to serve any Longer 
' with the Hanoverian, and therefore I Vote for this Motion.' 
His Grace was answer'd by Ld Tweedale with more Passion 
(unaffected Passion) than the Arguments, nor can I call his 
Speech an answer, but rather an Harangue formed in the 
British Language, and dictated by a Scotch Hanover Heart. 
Next arose Ld Carteret with all the mildness of Ulysses : no 
boastings, no threats, no upbraidings ; in short, no Minister 
appear'd either by his Gesture or his Words. He endeavoured 
to palliate and reconcile the House (rather by his manner than 
his eloquence) to the measures he defended, and concluded by 
saying he beleived the Lords who proposed the Motion did 
not in their Hearts wish it might succeed. Some Words he 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 179 

dropp'd in his Speech called up Lord Westmorland, who held 
our attention above an hour in as fine an oration as could be 
pronounc'd by an Englishman. He spoke with great coolness 
but warmed all his hearers, and he continued perfectly cool 
and composed, when he exploded as imprudent, base and false, 
the Facts advanced, and the Promises made in the H. of 
Commons by General Wade. Facts advanced against the late 
D. of Marlborough notoriously false ; Promises made of 
keeping the two Bodies in Peace and Amity with each other, 
only to pay his Court, and to flatter in order to Preferment. 
These and much stronger Assertions against Mr. Wade, Ld 
Westm d pronounc'd with firmness and contempt. What may 
be the consequences Time only can shew. Ld Cholmondeley 
spoke next against the Motion ; his Arguments were as good 
as the Cause would admit. He spoke with eloquence, sense 
and dignity ; to him succeeded on the other side Ld Lonsdale 
in his usual manner, with the force of Reason, the weight of 
Truth, and the elocution of good Sense. He was again 
answer'd by Lord Cholmondeley, to whom He again gave 
an answer : then the other replied, and Ld Lonsdale again 
answer'd him. Each spoke extremely well ; the one had a 
Foundation that could support any superstructure, the Other 
was obliged to build Castles in the Air, but they both kept up 
the Dignity of their Characters. Ld Morton a Scotch Lord, 
one of the Sixteen, kept the House in a continued Laugh for 
an Hour together. At Marston I will repeat to you his 
Speech, and altho' my Copy will be far short of the Original, 
yet I hope it will entertain you ; the thoughts of it make my 
Shoulders shake at this moment. To him succeeded the D. 
of Newcastle : what His Grace said I cannot tell, some say He 
cannot tell himself. He was followed by the E. of Chester- 
field in all the weight of Eloquence, the superiority of 



i8o THE ORRERY PAPERS 

Argument, the dignity of Genius, and the sweetness of 
Persuasion. No Syren had ever half his Powers, but the 
Bishops (all except Glo'ster) had wisely wax'd up their Ears, 
and so likewise had the majority of the House. Few alas ! 
listen'd to the Voice of this excellent Charmer. As my Ears 
were opened to every Word he said, I particularly recollect 
his answer to the D. of Newcastle. * His Grace ' (said Ld C.) 

* has spoken against the Motion with more Generosity than 

* Argument. His Generosity proceeded from his own Nature, 
' his want of Argument from the Cause itself.' I will not 
endeavour to repeat any other part of his Speech : his own 
powers and his own words alone can do himself justice ; yet 
must I add with sorrow He is in an ill state of health. God 
preserve him, and whenever he dies, may He die in the glory 
of his Integrity. Last, and least belov'd, arose the E. of Bath: 
no Draw-Can-Sir ever half so fierce, no Drayman ever less 
eloquent. A Chaos of a Speech, pronounced in a Rage that 
seem'd to proceed from his very Vitals. All was fire and fury 
within, the flames burst forth rapidly and irregularly, but 
vanish'd into immediate smoke, and became imperceptible. 
France, the Devil, the Emperor, the Dutch, the Prussians 
were alternately issuing from him like Fire from the mouth 
of a Mountebank, and at last his Ldp ended with a brace of 
English Bull-Dogs and a noble, majestick French Bull ! I 
could not but smile to see a triumphant Sneer on the Earl of 
Orford's Countenance, during the E. of Bath's Irruption. 
Thus ended our Debate at 8 o'Clock. You have reason to 
wish it had ended sooner, for then I should have written less 
tediously and less politically : my Letter should have been as 
full of Love as Ld Bath's Speech was of Rage. I dined, or 
rather supped, at Ld Ailesbury's ; I toasted a dozen fine 
Ladies but I meant only you. My thoughts wander not from 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 181 

you even amidst the Eloquence of Ld Ches:, the madness of 

Ld B. or the drunkenness of Ld Raymond whom I forgot to 

mention before, and who always takes a dram before he speaks. 

Adieu we are all well nor indeed can any Man be in 

better Health than Your 

ORRERY. 

[N.B. The Motion before the House, which was carried 
by the Govt., was for the retention of 16,000 Hanoverian 
Troops in the English Army. Smollett, whose opinion on the 
Subject was diametrically opposed to Ld O.'s, gives substan- 
tially the same account of the Debate, tho' far less strikingly 
and dramatically rendered.] 

LORD ORRERY TO LADY ORRERY. 

D. St., Westr., Feby. 4, 1 743-4. 

I WRITE to you amidst the terrors of the Devil, the Pope 
and the Pretender ; the French Fleet is said to be near our 
Shores, the Young Pretender is said to be on board, and Arms 
and Ammunition for several thousands(who encrease so fast they 
will To-morrow become millions) of men. This has alarm'd 
our Ministry, our Admiralty, and our Citizens ; yet I write 
without a trembling hand, as being neither Minister, Admiral, 
nor Stock-jobber. But pray observe the Wisdom of our 
Governors, who have given so close attention to the great and 
important Territory of Hanover, that they have totally 
neglected the Defence of this insignificant Island. You can- 
not imagine greater Confusion than appeared on all Faces 
Yesterday, and as To-day has been dedicated wholly to the 
Buck m Trustees, I cannot tell you whether the Fears sub- 
side or encrease. For my own part I beleive this is a Feint 
in the French to frighten us, nor can I conceive that the Young 



182 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

Pretender could stir from Rome without Publick Notice of it, 
or that the French will ever take up his deserted Cause. It 
will be of use to the Ministry to have these apprehensions con- 
tinued. It will hurry all anti-Courtiers (you may guess the 
Title we bear) into more immediate and more certain Slavery, 
Votes of Credit, Plots, Suspensions of the Habeas Corpus, 
and all sorts of Ministerial Devices will be plaid against us, 
and our Integrity will never be Shield sufficient to defend us 
against such powerful Machines. Councils are summoned 
upon Councils, Messengers are flying to all Parts of the King- 
dom, and yet in the midst of all this storm I am sitting by the 
Fire thinking of and writing to you. Were, however, these 
Reports true, wh. I cannot in the least beleive, I should not 
wonder if I were forc'd to write to you from amidst the Lyons 
and Monsters of the Tower. I say this, that if such a strange 
and wild Accident were to happen you may not be surpriz'd. 
The unaccountable imprudence of the M. as I have heard of 
late, has made my Name be call'd in question, whereas he 
might as justly have named (were my real Sentiments and Con- 
duct known) the Cham of Tartar y, or the Emperor of Japan,, 
and tho' this Peice of Imprudence happened some time agoe, 
yet I am probably mark'd in the Book of Treasons and Dis- 
loyalty. A Day or two will I beleive blow the Frenchmen and 
the Report towards the West Indies. But it will leave a noble 
Harvest for our mighty Men of Policy and Stratagem who 
wish for no better Incidents than such as secure their Pow'r 
and take away our Liberties. I leave all business to Bowen, 
and desire you will tell Edmund I would sooner buy a halter 
(Oh Lud how came I to think of Halters !) to hang my self 
than a Rod to whip him. Has he more teeth ? Does he talk 
any words? Tell me a thousand things of him and of yourself. 

Adieu. 

ORRERY. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 183 



LORD ORRERY TO LADY ORRERY. 

D. St., ffestr., feby\ <)th, 1743-44. 

I SHALL begin by entreating you not to be jealous, since I 
am to be honour'd next Saturday morning with the company 
of one of the finest young Ladies in England. Ly Charlotte 
Boyle is to breakfast with me on that Day. I am borrowing 
chocolate cups and all utensils for such an entertainment. I 
dined yesterday at Burlington House, was receiv'd as usual 
with all the politeness, easiness and affability, both from my 
Lord and my Lady that can be imagined. I hope they know 
my heart, which honours and admires them both with a most 
true devotion ; but Ly Charlotte is beyond description. She 
asked most genteely after you and Betty. She is improved 
even in her Person I think since the time I saw her before, 
and that is scarce more than a fortnight. Dr. King and Mr. 
Pope went with me, the latter you know is an old Friend ; the 
former was entertained with all the elegance, civility, openness 
and noble qualities that Ld Burl n can shew. And Who 
goes beyond Him in all that is adorable and praiseworthy ? 
No Man I have ever seen. We have never pass'd a more 
agreable Day, but I now suffer for it, my cold is so encreas'd 
that I am prudently confined, and so is Mr. Pope, with a pious 
resolution of taking care of ourselves, and doing Penance by 
imprisonment, and a most regular adherence to all Bale's prescrip- 
tions. Indeed all the World have colds, but to the universal 
Joy the Easterly Wind is gone, and with it are flown those 
noxious particles, that knock down every mortal who dares to 
peep out into the open air. 

I am of your opinion as to that Circumstance in the Life of 
Philareth : there are things too monstrous to be nam'd ; they 



184 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

raise a fatal Curiosity sometimes in Youth, and are the occasion 
of Errors, which would never have been committed, had they 
never been mentioned. I have heard no more of the Devil, 
the Pope and the Pretender, but I fear my last letter never 
reached you, as the Western Mail has been robbed. I now 
send two more parts of the Trial which are all that are yet come 
out. I hope next week may finish my Buck" 1 Trustship 
at this time, for I am quite weary of such a Distance from you, 
and find no Entertainments relish, nor any Diversions amuse 
without you. This is a very muzzy Letter, a true representa- 
tion of my present condition. I want you at all Seasons, all 
Hours, and in all Places, for my Eyes cannot behold an Object 
they love so well, nor do my Ears hear a Voice so charming as 

is yours to 

ORRERY. 

LORD ORRERY TO LADY ORRERY. 

Duke St., Feb. 18, 1743-4. 

I HAVE received both your Letters : as to the first it is 
impossible for me to give an immediate Answer. . . . Our 
present Situation is still the most amazing that this Nation 
perhaps has ever been in, for as on one side the Court seems 
in the highest Alarms, as you must observe by the King's 
Messages, so on the Other the City seems quiet, and most 
People laugh at Plots, Pretenders, Fleets, and the numerous 
mushroom Reports that rise and dye in a day. The Council 
is sitting many hours in the day, and many in the night, but 
the Secrets of Councils are not revealable. It is imagined a 
Plot is necessary for the Ministers, and therefore our Dangers 
(if any) are treated as proceeding from the Ministerial quarter 
rather than France. The account of the Young Pretender as 
publish'd in the Gazette is very romantick and I daresay false. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 185 

Yet what is most absurd it seems to represent him a kind of 
Heroe, and this is publish'd by Authority. All these Chimaeras 
only frighten People in regard to Money. There is none to 
be had. Not that the Stocks are much affected, but Every 
Body desires to keep as much Money by them as they can. 
. . . Ly Betty Spellman is better, but still in danger : Mrs. 
Horner out of danger : Ld Scarborough recovered. The D. 
of Marlb h has again reconcil'd himself to the Court, but is 
supposed to be farther off by that from a more important 
reconciliation. My Health is still indifferent, yet I dined out 
yesterday with Ld Litchf d . Pray send up some game (wood- 
cock if possible) for Mr. Pope. I ate a Pea-chick yesterday. 
Have you a Peacock to console our Pea Ladies for their 
loss ? Adieu. I send you No. 4 of ye Anglesey Trial. My 

Heart is with you as usual. 

O. 

THE SAME TO THE SAME. 



Feb. itfA, 1743-4. 

I WAS in hopes to have sent my dearest Polyhymnia a 
good account of myself, but whether I caught Cold, or from 
what cause I know not, it is certain I am again relapsed : again 
I take Boluses, and again I am confined to my Chamber. I 
was carried to my outer Room on Sunday, they say it was the 
severest Day that ever was felt. I possibly owe my present 
Complaints to the Weather. They are many, and altho' I keep 
a fire Day and Night, I with difficulty keep myself if at any 
distance from it. The Gout is flying about me, particularly in 
my knees which are almost disabled, and my right foot is in 
great pain. I mention all these particulars not to alarm you, 
but to let you see that it will be impossible for me to throw off 
my fetters so soon as I intended. The Gout must take its 



i86 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

Course, and in my Situation it is not likely that I can hope for 
any remarkable relief till the weather changes, of which there 
are no symptoms. Do not think my dearest Life of hazarding 
yourself in this dreadful season, or quitting the children. They 
require your attendance, I want no care, and freely give you 
up to them in hopes that Heaven hereafter will not among 
other severe punishments decree fresh Separation from you. 
Ld and Lady Berkshire went out of Town yesterday morn- 
ing, they return To-morrow ; She is very kind in letting me 
see her sometimes, but when Ld Berk: comes in, which 
he does as soon as he knows she is here, she goes away, 
thinking His Lp company sufficient for me. I wish she 
would come often and stay longer. She is very agreable, very 
friendly, and very natural. May your next give me a better 
account of both the Children, and may my next send you a 
better account of myself. Dr. King is still at Oxf d . I writ 
to him that you were coming. I shall contradict it To-day. 
The Boys amuse me very much, and now to Breakfast with 
what Appetite I may. Eternally Yours, 

ORRERY. 



LORD ORRERY TO LADY ORRERY. 

Feb. zBtA, '43/4. 

I CAN send you very good news of myself. I am recovered 
even to an amazing degree of Health. I write this from my 
blue Dressing-room. The Gout uses me so gently, I am apt 
to think he is my friend rather than my enemy. I have not 
had one bad night and but three bad days, God send I may 
never have worse. I shall then refrain from dancing, and in 
every respect beside lead as pleasurable a Life as I desire. Not 
so our Friends : poor Col: Cecil is sent to the Tower; many 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 187 

more are suspected : (would to God my real Sentiments were 
known as fully to the Privy Council as they are to you !) and 
from Suspicions all dangers are to be apprehended. I will say 
as some poor prisoner said in K. Wm.'s Days, I wish there 
may be a Plot, for if there is I am not in it, if there is none 
it may be necessary to make me in a feigned Plot. Ld Barri- 
more is apprehended, and old Dr Beaufort, the Physician who 
attends Col: Cecil ; Tom Carte, and some others as little 
worth naming. In short, these are gloomy Times. Write 
to me accordingly ; pray name no names but such as are in 
the Marston Bill of Mortality, for Innocence airy and un- 
guarded, is never so properly adorned and defended as when 
shielded by Caution and Prudence. Now for worse news. 
Poor dear Ld Kildare is dead. I am truly affected. Pray 
you be calm, and consider your Condition. God protect you, 
let what will happen. I know you a Woman of Spirit, Sense 
and Resolution, and I beg you will keep your Sentiments 
entirely to yourself. As to my own Part, I am so entirely 
innocent that I have no Fears (as you and you only can tell), 
yet Appearances may perhaps be against me. Old Habits, 
Old Friends, and my own invincible Shyness, may raise engines 
against me. Old Habits I cannot break, Old Friends I will 
not desert, and Shyness and I must go together to the Grave. 
Be Chearfull as usual, be more Serious than usual, and be 
assured I will hasten to you as soon as possible. I would at 
this moment give my little finger to be chopt off to be two 
hours with you alone, because you are my Friend, my Com- 
panion, the woman I love, esteem and admire, so that I must 
be for ever unhappy when absent from you. I shall crawl 
forth To-morrow, and I this night will send you all the News 
and Papers I can possibly select. Adieu, your own 

ORRERY. 



i88 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

LORD ORRERY TO LADY ORRERY. 

Duke St., Westmr., March 14, 1743/4. 

You will receive by this Post two packetts of Letters, 
which, when you have read over, I beg you will put by in one 
of my Table Drawers, so that they may be come at on my 
Arrival. I received all your charming Letters ; to business 
I dare not answer by the Post, because of Inquisitors. ... I 
am growing mysterious, and therefore will quit business for 
Love, be assured my thoughts are full of it for you and our 
dear little Boy. I am happy he was delighted with his horse, 
and rejoiced that you continue well. My little excursion to 
Windsor proved of benefit to me notwithstanding bad weather. 
In my return yesterday I called on Mr. Pope, who is extremely 
ill. I fear you will never see him more, but this is to yourself, 
and He may recover. I hope he will, and then I beleive we 
shall see the incomparable little man at Marston. The Exec rs 
promise to release me by To-morrow sevennight, if so I shall 
be with you on Easter Monday. It will be a Holiday for me 
whenever it happens, for my Soul desires you, and is impatient 
of this intolerable Absence and tedious distance. Ld Boyle 
and I are going to the Play To-night, the Grecian Captain has 
lost his place, which vexes the poor dear Boy very much ; he will 
soon regain it by his amazing diligence and assiduity. I have 
writ to Ld Kildare and My lady his Mother. You will write 
to Her now. I have receiv'd Edmund's pretty Letter ; he 
must excuse me by this post, I have so many Letters to write 
that I can only add myself Eternally yrs., 

ORRERY. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 189 

THE SAME TO THE SAME. 

Bath, April zyrd, 1743. 

MARK how oddly Fate disposes of us. After I return'd I 
went to the Play there was no Play; I peep'd into the 
Rooms, Lady Bab Montague seiz'd me, and would oblige me 
to play Whisk. I obey'd unwillingly but came off with two 
guineas in my Pockett, and a Crown. What a Fortune do I 
lose by hating to play! I beg of you to come over 1 on 
Monday, if the weather will be tolerable. My six weeks are 
now out and I want to settle my Return with you. You must 
insist on the Dr.'s coming over to us which can easily be done 
in the Chair. I have heard from Dr. Barry. The Bishop of 
Derry still holds out, but cannot long. You send me no 
particulars of Sr Edmund. If the weather hinders you from 
coming send me a messenger and Lion. 2 Mr. Gordon is 
coming to Marston, did you send for him? I fancy not, 
because Ld Boyle writes me word he is making a kind of 
Tour. However I shall be glad to see the Knight. Yesterday 
was one of the most terrible Storms I have ever known at this 
time of year, but To-day we have a fine Rain, which I hope 
reaches Marston ; if so I flatter myself most of my Trees will 
be safe, and the expence will be answered. The Fantams did 
me the honour of a visit yesterday. I hope you will receive 
them safe To-day. Pray lock them up wherever you put 'em 
till you place 'em in the Garden. I am well acquainted with 
Admiral Vernon. Mr. Glory leaves us To-day. I am sorry 
you could not see him. The Duke and D 55 of Bedford are 
here. Her Behaviour is very agreable, polite, decent, and 
amiable. They appear very happy together. I imagine her 

1 Marston is only 1 5 miles from Bath. 

2 A favourite Dog. 



190 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

immense Fortune raises envy and makes inventive Malice 
rear its Head, which the poor Lady perhaps knows nothing of 
and so continues in innocence to give room for Malice : tho' 
of late I think we have heard nothing of these Stories. It is 
raining sweetly an unusual Sound but a very pleasant one. 
Somerset is growing itself again. I '11 now break off that the 
Messenger may set out on his Return. Adieu. Kiss Sir 

Edmund and remember me to Betty, Yr 

ORRERY. 

The two she Fantum seem not to be well however they 
always recover by the Fire but they do not eat. I have paid 
the Messenger who brings the dear Fantums. 

LORD ORRERY TO LADY ORRERY. 

May n, /43. 

I WRITE to you whilst I have time, if I writ whilst I had 
inclination, I should be writing for ever. There is such a 
Scene of Business before me that Sr Edm d will owe many 
thanks for the Pains I am taking merely because he happens 
to be nominated in our Friend's Will. I am pretty sure I 
cannot stir out of London this month. If I can I shall ; for 
my Heart is with you, and I shall visit my Treasure without 
Delay. To enter into particulars will be to little purpose in 
my Letters. Our Conversations at Marston will amply supply 
such Reserve, and as I am fully assured our Letters are open, 
I shall say as little of Persons and Things as possible. I have 
seen Lady Betty whose Compliments attend you ; I have had 
a glimpse of Miss Boyle, but propose to wait upon Her 
Tonight. I was last night at Vauxhall, all charming, all 
Heavenly there ! Lord Harvey is out of Town, but I beleive 
will be soon here. I have seen G. He assures me all shall 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 191 

be done about ye 24th of next Month, and that I need not 
stay in Town for it. He is to be with me on Friday to 
consider what is to be done in Cap" Ma: Mor: Affair. Money 
from thence slides faster than Sand thro' an Hourglass. The 
Town is empty yet never disagreeable except in your Absence. 
Hammy looks thin but is otherwise well; Charles much 
grown ; I fear you cannot see them this Season, they shall stay 
the longer with us at Bartholomew Tide. To-day is too cold 
for Chiswick, and To-morrow is sacred to my Trust ; but on 
Friday I '11 take C. with me to those delightful Groves. 

May 1 2, Evening. 

I HAD fmish'd thus far yesterday morning : in the After- 
noon I received Sir Ed ds , which I cannot now answer, having 
been buried in Papers and Writing from eleven till four at 
Buckingham House where I dined, and from whence I am only 
this moment return'd. I am now going with C. and H. to 
Lady Shannon's by invitation, probably for musick. I am 
charmed with Sir Ed ds account of himself: He is very 
gracious to find time amidst so many Pleasures to write to me. 
Ye Bishops of Worcester and Durham are dead, and ye 
Duchess of Kendal. The Marquis lives, and is as usual ; not 
altered in a Tittle. The Dr. I have not seen since my Arrival. 
Both too busy for visits. We are to dine together Tomorrow 
I beleive at the Marquis'. Adieu my Heart and Soul are 
with you. 

ORRERY. 

THE SAME TO THE SAME. 

May 21, 1743. 

I RECEIVED your charming Letter have convey'd it a 
thous d times to my Lips, where I wish to convey the dear 



i 9 2 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

Hand that wrote it. I rejoice at Sir Ed's Welfare. We 
returned late last Night from Chiswick in Ld Burl ns Chariot 
and with Ly Burl ns Horses. I have a Million of happy 
things to tell you, but when Ld H. 1 only can tell : He is not 
yet come to Town, and when He is I may be releas'd. I 
hope that Delivery may be announced the week after next. 
Mr. Pope leaves me To-day. I hope only for a few Days. 
His thanks attend you for your Nosegay. Our esteem and 
affection for him go hand-in-hand as our Love of Edmund 
but we must be content to love him at a Distance for I fear 
He will not come to Marston. He is in perfect health, and 
our Myrmidons of both Sexes I hope are as carefull of Him 
as they ought to be. I write in much Haste scarce awake 
but sleeping or waking ever, ever Your 

ORRERY. 

LORD ORRERY TO LADY ORRERY. 

May 2%tA, 1743. 

LYON is arrived safe and sound. Your Collar of Shells is 
charming like all your other works. We dine at Chiswick 
Tomorrow. Ld Wallingford was not at Home when I called. 
I am to drink tea with the two Miss Cassars this afternoon and 
am just now going to Sir Hans Sloane's at Chelsea. Ham is 
brave and well so is Ld B. and Your 

ORRERY. 

THE SAME TO THE SAME. 



IT is impossible to tell you how much your Collar 2 was 
admir'd at Chiswick or how kindly we were receiv'd. Ld 

1 Lord Hervey was a Co-Executor of the Duchess of Buckingham. 

2 The Collar was of small shells, and probably a kind of necklace. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 193 

Burl" has given Charles a most beautifull little horse : he rid it 
home on Sunday evening. Lady Charlotte looks charmingly : 
She wears your Collar in her hair. We will talk of our 
Winter quarters hereafter, and proceed in our resolutions with 
thought and forecast ; in the meantime I am glad you can be 
tolerably easy at Marston, altho' after so long a Sojournment, 
I fear your moments may begin to grow tedious ; I am 
resolved to be with you as soon as possible. I am sorry 
Edm d has had any complaints, and cannot be easy about him 
till your next Letter ; we must expect his teeth to be trouble- 
some, I pray they may be so as little as possible. No Man 
Cook yet ; we heard of one or two, but they will not do ; 
however I do not despair ; it is an article of great moment to 
me. Ld Harvey is come to Town. I have not yet seen him, 
but intend to go thither (to Buck" 1 House) by and by. I 
dine To-day with the Marquis who is removing ; you are his 
Mistress, and he let me know he had made his Will. I hope 
you are residuary Legatee ; the Marquis is rich. I am just 
now returned from Ld Harvey, he looks ill, but speaks in 
Spirits : Civilities only passed between us, hereafter I shall 
Consult him on Dress and Figure : he was much be-diamonded. 
I beleive his stay in Town will not be long. I am in great 
hopes I may depart on Monday, as I am greatly desirous to 
be with You and am Eternally Your 

ORRERY. 



THE SAME TO THE SAME. 

St. Marys Hall, Oxford, Augt. 24, 1743. 

ALTHO' I have some Hopes that I may hear from You 
To-day, yet I must snatch the first Moment that occurs to 

VOL. II. N 



i 9 4 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

write to you, not being willing to stay for the Post, least some 
Amusement hinders me from this sincere Token of my Love. 
Ld B. is rather better, but still has a hoarse constant Cough ; 
he is so thin we did not bleed him, nor use any other method 
but Sack-whey at night and a carefull Diet. Indeed it grieves 
me to find him so very susceptible of Cold ; and his Cloathing 
is thinner than paper. For the Future he shall wear nothing 
but Cloth. We were yesterday at the Races and I went at 
Night to the Ball. Here is much Company : D. of Hamilton, 
Ld Sidney Beauclerk, Sir J. Hinde Cotton, Ld Paget, Ld 
Barrington, Ld Litchfield who with Sir James Dashwood and 
me, is to be made a Doctor. Our immortal Doctor presents 
Ld L. and myself, and Sir James is presented by somebody 
else. Ld Wilmington has died worth only threescore thousand 
Pounds, which is to be equally divided among eight. The 
D. of Dorset comes in only as a Sharer with the other 
Nephews and Neices : of this be assur'd because the late acts 
of Parliament have constituted it so, as I am informed by 
Mr. Forrester, one of the best Lawyers and most agreeable 
men in the Kingdom, who lodges here being an Intimate of 
the Doctor's. To-night is a Concert and Assembly to ye first 
of which only I shall go. On Friday I will set out from 
hence, and be with You Sunday or Monday, but from whence 
as yet I know not. I hope to find You and Sir Edmund very 
well, and shall now add no more unless I receive a Letter 
from You To-day. Adieu Your 

O. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 195 



LORD ORRERY TO LADY ORRERY. 

Bath, Augt. zytA, 1743. 

I PROPOSED to have lain To-night in your dear Arms, had 
not I found Ld Boyle's Cold so much worse, and himself so 
much fatigued, that I thought it more prudent to delay our 
journey until To-morrow morning. We left Oxford on Friday 
morning (his Cold rather better, nay a good deal so) and went 
no further than Burford that Night, calling at Cornbury, and 
at Sr Clement Dormers. On Saturday we dined at Bibury, 
and reach'd Ld Bathurst's at Ciciter at 5 in the afternoon. 
Ly Bt., Ld Bt., Ld B. and I walk'd out till between 7 and 8 
o'Clock, and he coughed prodigiously. All took great Notice 
of it, thought it a very bad Cough, and proceeding from his 
paper clothing, which indeed (after damp Sheets) I believe his 
whole Cold is owing to. Yesterday in the afternoon, we left 
Ld Bt.'s and came only 8 miles to Tedbury : his cough very 
bad, his pulse quick, his hands hot. To-day we came hither, 
when he own'd he found himself ill, and he shews so many 
symptoms of great fatigue, that altho' I cd easily be with you, 
yet I will stay here To-night to give him rest. I am impatient 
to have him at home, under your Care and Protection. He 
coughs deep, often hoarse, and hectically, his hands, especially 
the Palms, very hot : in short, I am frightened out of my 
Senses, and if you think proper would be glad to have Mr. 
Tatum at our Arrival at Marston. Something must be done 
and that immediately. It would be kind in you to meet us 
part of the way, we shall sett out from hence, I believe, about 
9, or sooner or later according as he wakes ; he is now lain 
down to rest, and the Servant says he is asleep. My heart 
achs beyond Measure, I am full of fears, vapours, visions, 



196 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

apprehensions of the month (always fatal to my Family), so 
that you only can make me happy. The sight of you always 
drives away Sorrow. I had almost forgot to say I am a Dr. 
of Civil Law, but my whole thoughts are of Charles. Here 
is a strong easterly Wind, which must increase his Disorder. 
I send W. H. with two horses half spoiled by saddles, my own 
very bad by one, but horses are nothing if we can make this 
poor dear Boy well. All Blessings attend You. You deserve 
'em whatever be the Fate of Your 

ORRERY. 



LORD ORRERY TO LADY ORRERY. 

Duke St., Westminster, Jany. 15, 1744/5. 

I ARRIVED here my dearest Wife and Lady in perfect 
Health on Sunday, at 2 o' Clock, and found Hammy ill of the 
Chicken-pox, which he has very full, and is sore all over that 
he cannot rise To-day ; on Thursday he is to take Physick. 
I suppose our little Boy and Girl will have them, since Ham: 
certainly caught the distemper at Marston ; as it is not 
dangerous it may do them good. I was To-day at Court, 
graciously received. To-morrow I go to Leicester House. 
I have seen all my most important Friends. I think the part 
we intend to act will be right, in case we keep to our present 
Resolutions. The Good of the Country is our first view, the 
next may be, if proper, Promotions. The whole Town talks 
of nothing but the Marriage of the Duke of Chandos, which 
he has lately declared, to his Concubine. The Story of it is 
this : His Grace fell in Love with her at the Castle Inn, near 
Slough, as she was warming his Bed, for alas, she was no more 
than the Ostler's wife, by whom she had two Children, and 
testified his Love by giving her a guinea. . . . The ostler grew 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 197 

jealous, kick'd, beat and abus'd his Wife, upon which the Duke 
(then Ld Carnarvon) took her away altogether. The Ostler 
died, the Lady grew scrupulous, her Conscience insisted on 
marriage, and her Lord made her an honest woman about four 
or five years agoe, but the nuptials were kept private till the 
late D. of Chandos died ; they are now declar'd in form, and 
'tis said she will be presented at Court. Of her Person and 
Character People speak variously, but all agree that both are 
very bad, altho' they differ in Circumstances now. Some say 
she is old : all say she is ugly : some say she erred not except 
with the Duke, others affirm that she was kind to all Comers, 
and Goers. In short, 1 think this Match has destroy'd 
Politicks. I was in hopes to have heard from you Yesterday, 
I will look for better Fortune To-morrow. Assure Edmund, 
Lucy and the whole groupe of Margery Dawe's that I also 
think of them often and wish to be with them. Scarce a 
moment indeed passes, as you know, without my wishing for 
you. Ld Boyle and I are going to the Play. Adieu. I am 
ever yours, O. 

THE SAME TO THE SAME. 

I HAVE News for you, my charming Polyhymnia ; Mr. 
and Mrs. Phipps are going over to Ireland to lay claim to the 
Anglesey Estate. Mr. P. either is, or is well advis'd he is, 
Heir at Law to that immense Fortune. Nine of our most 
Eminent Lawyers give their Opinion in his favour. His Lady 
is learning to ride, to gallop over the Welch Mountains, and 
embark at Holyh d . Ld A. and the Pretender have been 
fighting about the Oyster shell if Phipps is to swallow the Fish ; 
but Oysters are mostly taken with Vinegar for digestion, and 
I 'm afraid he '11 find an immense quantity of Vinegar and 



198 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

Pepper necessary here. Our Town is at once alarm'd and 
pleas'd by the Emperor's death. The news of it was brought 
to H.M. last night. Our Politicians surmise 2 Candidates : 
the D. of Lorain and the K. of Poland : if it ends in Peace, 
no matter in my mind on whom the Election falls. You may 
have heard an idle Report of Another Invasion. The true 
fact is, the Toulon Squadron are coming to Brest to join that 
Squadron, and their Intentions are Ostend or Nieuport, which 
those Ships will encompass by sea, while the French troops 
attack by Land. We are all brave and sprack. Hammy is 
going to school on Monday, and I begin my Visits, but am 
much more desirous of clasping in my arms the dearest object 

of the Heart of 

ORRERY. 



LORD ORRERY TO LADY ORRERY. 

Jany. 17^*44/5. 

YOUR Letter from Marston, my dearest Life, and your 
Letter from Bath arrived at the same time Yesterday. Those 
Letters which ought to have arrived on Monday from M n , 
did not reach us till Wednesday : Be the Cause what it will, 
I hope it will happen no more : my tenderness for you and 
my Children will not bear the loss of a Post, especially at this 
sickly Season. You are impatient to know how Hammy does. 
Pretty well, but not absolutely recovered. He is still sore, 
but is to ride To-day. I have a violent Cold, which confines 
me to my Chamber : this hindered me from writing to Ld O., 
but I sent him your Letter, and I enclose his answer. The 
D. of Chandos is still the Theme of the Town, and as if 
a Fatality in Marriage attended his Family, his Brother's 
Daughter run away about 6 months agoe with her Footman. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 199 

I have bespoke my Birthday Cloaths, but unless 1 am well 
shall not venture into so hot a Crowd. I have not yet been 
at Leicester House. I have the honour to be known to Ld 
Marchmont, but To-day can see Nobody, and unfortunately 
he has been here. Make me acceptable to Edmund, remember 
me to honest Nurse. I cannot, nay I will not, send you News, 
since Occurrences, Speculations, Schemes, Projects, Views, 
Ambitions all rise and disappear again like Bubbles. This 
will be an important Day in the H. of Commons. Ld 
Gower's Son was to be married on Tuesday, but the Lady, 
Miss Fazakerly, was taken ill in the morning, and yesterday 
it was feared it would prove the small Pox. They tell me 
Ld Litchf d was married yesterday at Bath. I am impatient 
to know your Adventures there. I hope Betty behaved her- 
self well, and I trust Lucy's eyes will again shine upon me as 
usual. Adieu. O. 



THE SAME TO THE SAME. 

Bath, April 6, 1745. 

I ARRIVED here my dearest Life, as the Chimes rung five 
in yesterday afternoon. My hoarseness still continues, but I 
think is a good deal diminished. I shall not begin the Waters 
till my Cold is gone. Ld B. has a Cold and is somewhat tired, 
but what help'd his Fatigue more than our journey was a long 
dull Visit from C. who sat here about an hour, three parts of 
which pass'd without a word being exchanged between us. 
Ld B. is to breakfast there To-morrow. I promis'd, but 
shall not leave the House all Day. His Wife is come, and if 
she and I never meet, we must submit to our hard Fate. The 
Aunt remains above stairs but keeps up her matchless Spirit 
by daily Squabbles with the Chairmen. Miss her Companion 



200 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

(a young Lady of about forty but known only by the name of 
Miss) walks into all publick Diversions, and to reduce fulness 
and excrescence waddles much by way of exercise. The D. of 
B. has had an answer from the Chan r , just what might have 
been expected. Adieu Coalition. Next Session may produce 
some new Farce. The Reports of this Place are innumerable, 
and scarce any foundation for any one. I wish my quarantine 
here were finish'd. I wish you would come over, if it were 
only to see my friend Phil: S. whom I love and esteem, and 
who has all good and amiable qualities without any alloy. 
You may safely ride the black Mare. As it would please me 
extremely to see you, I only ask for the happiness in case the 
Children are well and the weather better. Take care of 
yourself I entreat you ; do not be too free with mercurial 
Physick, it may be very fatal in one case which may possibly 
be yours. I cannot but be very anxious in every Circum- 
stance that regards your Health, as you are the dearest Object 
upon Earth to 

ORRERY. 



LORD ORRERY TO LADY ORRERY. 

Marston House, March 26, 1753. 

I AM very sorry my dearest Life that you have so cruel a 
headach as I find by the Scrap I receiv'd from you this 
morning. I call it a Scrap because it has added to the great 
disappointment which I express'd to you on Saturday. As a 
further addition I see by the Newspapers of To-day that there 
was a Motion in the H. of Lds on Thursday, and that a 
Memorial of a very extraordinary Nature was deliver'd in that 
morning by Sir J. Phil to the K. Of all these transactions 
not one Syllable sent to me, who (except a Coffin) am truly 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 201 

buried at Marston ; not being able yet to stir out of my Bed- 
chamber, nor have I had scarce one good night's rest, since I 
came here. The reason has been ye continual and violent 
storms that have attacked us. I kept Edmund To-day as it 
is his Nephew's Birthday, but shall send him this afternoon. 
Mr. Mason tells me he is in a very hopefull way and 'tis pity 
he should lose even half a day. The Wife of Pontius Pilate 
Jesser, and mother of Dick Jesser, died To-day suddenly, but 
Pontius Pilate will hold out till the Day of Judgement. Not 
a Syllable of Mr. Justice Maddox ; he keeps closer than the 
Tortoise who appear'd in high Tortoise spirits as Ed: told me 
Yesterday. You will excuse the Boy writing to you To-day. 
I told him I would convey his Duty. 'Tis now raining, but I 
fear the Wind will come on again at night, if so farewell to 
rest. You see my Love I do all I can to fill a Letter. Pray 
pity a poor Hermit and send me some news, but not if your 

Head achs. Adieu Love. Eternally yrs, 

ORR. 

THE SAME TO THE SAME. 

Wednesday Afternoon, July 15, 1756. 

MY DEAR LOVE, I here continue my Diary, like Pamela, 
Clarissa, and those other Journal-writing Ladies who are per- 
petually at their pen. I am just returned from file. H. The 
important points of the discourse, all very friendly, must be 
reserved to our Meeting. I shall only stay till Sunday, 
because I hope on Saturday to see the great Man at Whitehall. 
You will therefore, after to-morrow, receive no more Letters 
from me at London. I am to breakfast To-morrow with the 
O. M. Priam struck me as it did you. I send you a 
miserable mauled * Connoisseur ' of mine of this Day. 'Tis to 
no purpose to send them anything, but the writing drives dis- 



202 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

* 

agreable thoughts away. Mr. Forrester is in Town but has 
changed his Chambers. Mrs. Irwin is in one of the Chatham 
Camps with her husband. Scarce an hour without a ballad on 
Admiral B[yng]. Were he in London he would be an im- 
mediate Sacrifice to the Rabble. As I very unwillingly write 
letters after dinner I will now seal up this, and should some- 
thing extraordinary happen I will in that case begin another. 
Otherwise this is the last from, my dearest love, your most 
affectionate Husband, 

CORKE. 



LORD ORRERY TO LADY ORRERY. 

D, St., Westr. t Oct. 30^, 1756. 

I ARRIV'D here, my dearest love, at noon, after the finest 
journey, thro' the finest roads, and in the finest weather that 
could possibly be. I lay at Redding last night ; at the 
Devizes I passed all the time I had to spare with Ld C. 
Hamilton, whose compliments attend you. He is really fond 
of Edmund, as usual very polite and a true Soldier, but grown, 
as no doubt he thought of me, very old. At the Devizes, I 
met with the Death of the D. of B., the particulars of which 
you must have heard. Most People impute it to the 
Powders; better, my Dear, to grow fat on milk than to dye 
with Powders. Further reflections on this catastrophe will 
occur to us when we meet. Miss Riot is gone off with Col: 
Orme. They are in Holland. She transmitted all her 
Fortune upwards of ten thous. before her. She is with 
child, so is Mrs. Orme ; but the case of the latter is much the 
most deplorable, left without a groat. The Opera will be very 
bad : however it will be supported by Ly Rockingham, Ly 
Coventry, and some other brilliant Stars that guide the London 







//// V 

. / Iff //ft . //////, 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 203 

World. The D. and D 58 of Hamilton are come to Town. 
Their Character is greatly exalted. She is not only the 
younger Sister 1 but the younger Inhabitant of Grosvenor 
Sq re and its hundreds. I dined yesterday with Mr. and Mrs. 
Br. She looks pale but is very chearfull. He has giv'n me 
the worst wine I ever tasted. Ld Dungarvan 2 and Ham 
were walking together yesterday in the Park : both very 
melancholy. I shall see the latter probably To-morrow. Of 
the former I am uncertain. The Hoare family say he is very 
well, others say much the contrary. Mrs. Moore, Mrs. Br.'s 
Sister, is in a dangerous bilious cholic. This affects our little 
friend, who has not his Marston spirits : he is sincere and loves 
us all entirely. Farther I cannot sing of myself; only that I 
propose visiting Peterborough Court To-night in a Hack, and 
on Tuesday you shall hear more from me. Remember me to 
Lucy and Edmund, and believe me whilst I have a heart ever 

your own 

CORKE. 

THE SAME TO THE SAME. 

Westmr., Nov. 27, 1756. 

MY DEAREST LOVE, Enclosed you'll find a paper which 
you must immediately burn after reading twice. Thank God 
the cypher is not Treason. I came to town yesterday after- 
noon. The frost lasted to Hounslow Heath, and then turned 

1 The Duchess was the younger sister of Lady Coventry. They were the beautiful 
and celebrated Miss Gunnings. The second is said in some accounts to have married 
the Duke at night with only a curtain ring to be put by him on her finger. 

2 Lord Boyle on his father's succession to the Earldom of Corke became Viscount 
Dungarvan. His marriage to Miss Hoare of Stourhead, 7 miles from Marston, was a 
very unhappy one. His health became deplorable, and his wife as well as her whole 
family are painted by Lord Corke in very black colours, which must of course be taken 
cum grano y and most of the documents relating to them are of no public interest. 
His widow soon remarried advantageously, and his only daughter became Lady 
O'Neill. 



204 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

to very heavy rain. To-day it is returned, but neither have 
had any bad effect on me. Mr. Boyle is in Town, so is Sir 
Tho: Wors y . I have not yet seen them. Ld Dungarvan and 
his wife are at Clapham. My little Grand-daughter is in 
town, very ill, but that is a secret ; in fits (Mrs. Long says) all 
Sunday ; but I 'm sworn not to trumpet this, so I only whisper 
it. I have been at Lord and Lady Middlesex's both gone 
out. He better, she perfectly well. The streets very slippery 
for Chairmen ; Hackney Coaches immensely dear. Sir Tho: 
W y and Mr. Boyle both out, so return'd from them. Evans 
has been here. I was not at Home, he saw Jo: and tells him 
that he had seen Lord D. some days agoe, and thinks he looks 
very ill. Ld D. comes to Town three Times a week to take 
the Cold Baths. His Father-in-law has a mighty opinion of 
it. All I know is it killed Marcellus. I have little more to 
write To-night, so remember me to my Guinea-Pigs, Edmund 
and Lucy. While I live my Heart and Soul is yours. 
Good night. 

[This Letter is unsigned, probably by reason of the enclosed 
paper.] 

FROM THE EARL OF ORRERY TO THE COUNTESS 

OF ORRERY. 

Duke Street, Westmr. Tuesday, Jan. ^^nd. 

NOTHING could give me greater joy than the Letter I 
received this afternoon from my dear Polyhymnia. It was 
the more acceptable as I heard not one word from Marston 
or Bath yesterday. I shall write to Edmund concerning Bob 
Rogers. 

Your Party at Whisk was a very proper one, but your 
reflexions on it were so just and so much to my honour that 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 205 

I communicated your Letter to Dr. K. who admires, esteems 
and praises you in all the warmth of freindship and the zeal of 
truth. I am sorry the D. of B. 1 is in so ill a state of health, 
his Brother is now laid up by the Gout in his hands and 
feet. 

I was not at the Birthday, not perhaps so much for want 
of health as for other reasons, how very simple a Sheep 
looks as he strays from his Flock and mixes with a herd of 
Goats? my new velvet Cloathes will be always handsome, 
yet had I known when I bespoke them as much as I have 
learnt since, that expence had undoubtedly been saved. 

You Country Ladies expect, I know, volumes of News 
from Us Inhabitants of Westminster, if Wit will supply the 
want of political entertainment, I can tell you some sayings of 
Lord Chesterfield that would establish his character as a wit, 
if he had not attained it. His Lordship was congratulated by 
his Friends on his embassy to Holland, and it was asserted 
he would certainly be entertained at this time with the utmost 
magnificence, as being the representative of our K. of 
G. Britain. His answer to his friends upon this occasion was 
to this purpose. ' I doubt not of a splendid reception at the 
' Hague, the news of my Master is sufficient to secure it, 

* but upon this occasion I cannot help calling to mind the 

* expensive shew made for the Persian Ambassador at Versailles 
4 at the latter end of Lewis the I4th's reign, yet after the 

* audience was over and the ceremony finished, it was found 

* on enquiry that the Ambassador was not sent to France by the 

* Sophi of Persia, but was only deputed by a few Persian 
' Merchants.' 

His Lordship has expressed his sentiments of the Legacy 
left him by the D. of Marl, in a very peculiar manner. * Her 

1 Probably Beaufort. 



206 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

' Grace intended me a kindness,' said he, * by a bequest of 

* twenty thousand Pounds. I am obliged to her for the 
' intention, but in effect it has done me much prejudice. 
' before her death my doors were quiet : my creditors looked 

* on the debts I owed as desperate : they gave over enquiries 
' after me : they acquiesced in their Fate, and I went in and 
' out unmolested : but now they are rouzed again, they 
' assemble in my hall, they stop me as I pass, and they 
( require not only twenty, but forty thousand Pounds.' 

It is affirmed that at the time the D. of M. l died, Ld Chs 
had not left to himself eight hundred Pounds a year out of 
his Estate, in that, as in wit, like Julius Caesar, who when he 
went to Gaul, declared that if he could pay three hundred 
thousand Pounds he should then be worth nothing. Is it 
possible that Wit and Economy can dwell under the same 
roof? I believe not. 

Lord Marchmont tells me our friend Pope was become as 
great an Idiot as the Dean before his Death, the violence of 
Tomson's Medicines hurried him to the other world and made 
him slide swiftly down the hill of life, when perhaps he had 
otherwise walked gently to the bottom. Mr. Walpole was 
here to-day, and says Lord Orford still continues extremely 
ill, his compliments attend you. I have had a numerous 
Levee this morning. Ld Marchmont, Mr. Hume, Sr John 
Cotton, Mr. Ben Bathhurst, Sr Edward Seymour, and Ld 
Westmoreland, but in all companies and in all places, and at 
all times, I am devoted ever wholly to my dear Polyhymnia. 

OR. 

1 Marlborough. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 207 



LADY ORRERY TO LORD ORRERY. 

Dublin, April zf>th, 1746. 

LAST Thursday the news of the defeat of the Hiland 
Army arrived here, which filled this Town so full of Joy that it 
was impossible for me to write to my Dear Lord ; this day I 
have had Company with me from the moment I got out of 
Bed, till I returned home from the Play, which is past eleven 
o'clock. It was Garrick's benefit and last time of Acting. 
He gratefully acknowledges your recomendation to be the 
first motive of his success in this Kingdom, as you will see by 
the enclosed. He never knew you had been in London or he 
had attended you. Dr. Barry is doatingly fond of him, and I 
really think for his modest and proper behavour, he deserves 
favour. So much for Publick Concerns, now for private 
matters. . . . You maybe assured that I wish myself earnestly 
with you a thousand times a day, but it is too near twelve 
o'clock to dwell on the fullness and tenderness of my heart. 
I must conclude with my Account of Edmund, he has had a 
purging ever since landed but is now better. Dr. Barry sais it 
will do him good, he is rather thiner ; Lucy runs all alone and 
is very well. I direct this to Oxford where you, Ld Boyle, 
and Dr. King have the best Wishes of my dearest Lord's truly 
affec te and obed 1 Wife, 

M. ORRERY. 

THE SAME TO THE SAME. 

Dublin, April 30, [4.6 . 

MY DEAREST LORD, I take the opportunity of Mr. 
Garrick's going over to write to you, tho' I will not breath the 
fullness of my Heart for my distance from you, nor for any 



208 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

other sad sircumstance which has since happened. Our 
Seperation and all other our Misfortunes are the imediat Will 
of an All Wise God. His Will be done. He is gratiously 
pleased to bless us in each other and in our Children. Let 
this content us, and let us wait the Chains prepared for 
Englishmen with pateince and resignation. . . . 

Night, May ist. 

I THIS moment received your Letter of the 25th and am 
surprised you had at that time no Account of our Safe Land- 
ing. Perhaps the Postmaster had not perused it sufficiently, 
for that of the 25th, as well as all your others, have been 
opened. The Seal which came with yours of that date I 
enclose, because I never saw the impression in your hands, and 
I fancy belongs to the People of the Post-Office. I have 
written so much this day that my hand is only able to add this 
night that Will Taylor is so extremely ill, that if a myricle 
does not preserve him, he must soon go off: he is grown 
childish, cries when his Wife contradicts him, his senses and 
memory quite impaired, his face Yellow, his eyes sharp, and 
his knees knock together with a kind of paraletick motion : 
Yet I doubt whether he may not recover to hold out for some 
time : Summer is coming on, and he has an anuity from you ! 
1 cannot write another line, therefore my dearest Lord, Adieu, 
and think of coming to Yr ever aff te , faithfull and obed 1 Wife, 

M. ORRERY. 



LADY ORRERY TO LORD ORRERY. 

Dublin, May *$rd, 1746. 

I DID not write to my dear Lord by Thursday's Post, 
having been that whole day employed in talking to Mr. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 209 

Purcell, and in writing as full an account as I was capable of 
the State of our Affairs. I wrote till I thought it would have 
been too late for my Mesunger, and have almost tired both 
my Hand and Head : but weary as they are, my heart is 
never tired of en spiring both my hand and head to write to 
my Laelius, and I shall go on either till my Paper is full, or 
till the Postman rings at our door. This is the first day I 
have been at home since my Arrival at Mr. Marlowe's. My 
Aunt Hamilton and Mr. P. were our company. She is as 
well as ever, and realy loves you, and joins with your other 
Friends here in earnestly wishing to see you. I dined Yester- 
day with Mrs. Phipps ; they were extremely obliging, and I 
am deceived, or they are convinced you act with true regard 
to their interests ; they both said many obliging things, and I 
belive they look upon you as a Man of Honour and Honesty, 
and tho' no doubt they wish that there had been no Executors, 
yet they were glad there was not another A. C. or K. Mrs. 
Phipps dropt one thing, that she thought you had a better 
oppinion of one of the Executors than he deserved. I said 
that you knew all the Exec rs perfectly well, but that you 
found sivility was the best and only Method to bring them to 
act for the benefit of the Trust, and in the manner that would 
be most agreable to Mr. Phipps whose interest alone you 
consulted. They acknowledged that, and we parted the best 
Friends in the World. This day she was to see me, and 
when Edmund gets his new Coat, I will carry him and Lucy 
to see Master and Miss Phipps, for she expressed a great 
inclination to see the children. She most sadly regrets the 
loss of Buckingham House. Let me now give you an 
Account of what is dearer to you than even a fine Lady, the 
state of your Old Woman and Children's Healths. I will 
begin with my own : Dr. Barry has given me some Directions 

VOL. II. O 



210 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

which he assures me will render my Inside as strong as ever it 
was, since first I breathed Vital air, and that I shall eat and 
drink like Will Taylor formerly did, without being hurt or 
having recourse to Warm Water : I am certainly vastly better 
already. Lady Betty is taking his medicines, which he pro- 
mises shall give her Roses in her Cheeks. Lucy requires 
nothing and is as vain of new Cloaths, and as fond of Beaux, 
as if she was fiveteen. Edmund has still a purging, but takes 
medicine, and will I hope soon be better, for his disorder is 
not violent. He is lively, but my being so little with him, has 
made him out of all rule ; I talk of the Birch Trees of Caledon 
and fear I shall be forced to use them. Let me know if I may 
talk to Dr. Barry of what you are doing to Pliny. I could 
add a thousand things but am at end of my Paper. Adieu my 
d l Lord, and conclude me ever Your afF 6 and obed 1 Wife, 

M. ORRERY. 



LADY ORRERY TO LORD ORRERY. 

Dublin, May 6, 1746. 

THIS Day, my dear Lord, I dined at Will Taylor's. He 
sat at the Table, but did not swallow a single bit of any Solid. 
Two glasses of Gelly in some very strong White Wine he 
drank, besides a large glass of White Wine. I belive he is 
dropsical by his Thirst and certainly it would be miraculous 
should he recover ; yet they talk of going out of Town next 
week, and of going to bath from Egmont the latter end of 
this summer. I fancy he takes Drams, or at least strong 
drops in strong Wines, for his Bill for the latter Comodity 
amounted to twenty pounds for two months. Surprising it is 
to me, that you did not receive the account of our landing till 
the 29th of April : there was a delay of one Pacquet going 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 211 

from hence by the Pacquet Boats being driven back, but that 
could not have retarded our Letters so long. There is in the 
Post Office either great Carelessness or great Vilany : or 
perhaps both. My Aunt Hamilton is vastly fond of the 
Children, and delighted with all their Words and Actions. 
She finds all the Beauties of Grandmothers, and Great Grand- 
mothers for a thousand generations back in Lucy ; and in 
Edmund all the spirit and courage of the Stuarts, Hamiltons, 
Seatons, Gordons, Murrys, Douglasses, etc. etc. whether Lowyal 
or Rebel, that have inhabited Hiland or Lowland, and could 
possibly give a drop of Blood to her Ancestors for these five 
thousand Years past. I found from Mr. Mincham that you 
had given the same Orders ... as I had done. How glad I 
am when my sentiments agree with yours, but how far more 
glad should I be would your sentiments agree with mine in 
your coming over to Ireland, which I am convinced is the 
only method ever to bring this Lawsuit to any determination 
either by the course of Law or by Composition. Think not 1 
speak by Prejudice, for I am convinced by Reason, and talking 
both to Purcell, and to Mr. M., that no other expedient will 
ever bring this matter to a desition. Were I your Friend 
alone this is the only Advice I could offer for your benefit, but 
as I am both your Wife and your Friend I must try to inforce 
it. I know your own avertion to this Kingdom, and you 
indeed know not the many bad Consequences, your Heast to 
quit Ireland has run you into : it was that which drove you 
into the many bad compositions with Badham. I know your 
Desire to finish Pliny is such that you will look on this 
proposal with dislike, but I am not for your imediate hastning 
away. Purcell told me that your Attendance here for about 
6 or 8 Months, would give you the whole Term of the Year, 
and I firmly belive that time of close Attendance would give 



212 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

the Suit almost a conclution, and whichever way it went would 
make your Affairs vastly more easy than they are at present. 
I really belivc that time spent over here would be of advantage 
at least 8 or 10 thousand pounds to you. . . . The Clock is 
on the Stroak of twelve, Adieu my dearest Lord, and belive 
tho' my Judgement may be mistaken my Heart is truly Yours. 

M. ORRERY. 



LADY ORRERY TO LORD ORRERY. 

Thursday, May ytA, 174.6. 

THIS morning I had company with me from before Break- 
fast till I went to dine at Mrs. Fitz-morice's (where we had a 
most splendid entertainment), to avoid a violent Rout I went 
to the Play, and to see Sheridan Act. Our Play was the 
Merchant of Venice. He played the Jew realy incomperably 
just and well. I left Lady Betty with Miss Doppings to see 
the Farce performed, and am quietly stolen home to write to 
my Laelius, to me a more agreable employment than any other 
devertion, for all, all are flat, and still I have an uneasiness and 
a dissatisfaction in every thing when you are not of the Party, 
come therefore to me : or at least deceive me and say you 
will come. No, do not deceive me, but come and help me to 
recover your dues from the Badhamites, help me to encrease 
your Estate, since you have a Son worthy to possess it when 
you are in a good old Age gathered to your People. 

Now I speak of Mortality, perhaps next Pacquets may 
carry you an account of Will Taylor's death (I say only 
perhaps), for Mrs. Taylor was to have gone this day with me to 
the Play, but was so ill that she could not leave him. He must 
therefore be very ill, for she leaves him in such a state that it 
would be schocking in a friend to go abroad, and more in a Wife. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 213 

Edmund is quite recovered, Lucy very well. Jemmy 
Jackson is in Town. Mr. Purcell is busy soarting the old 
Papers which are in this House. Watt Goolde no less so in 
soarting those in his custody. I spoak to Mrs. Taylor to 
deliver to Mr. Purcell all the Papers in her husband's posses- 
sion, but on her asking him whether he had any, his senses 
were so impaired as not to be able to inform her. She there- 
fore sais, on her going down to Egmont, she will take care to 
deliver them as you shall order. 

I fear I shall not get out of Town till the latter end of 
next weeke, this would give me vast uneasiness were it not 
my hopes of serving you and Lord Boyle that occaisons that 
detainence. those two motives will ever be the principal 
pleasure and the principal study of the life of, my dear Lord, 
Your truly affectionat and obedient Wife, 

M. ORRERY. 



THE SAME TO THE SAME. 

Dublin, May 10, 1746. 

THE last Letter to my dear Lord said * perhaps Will 
Taylor may be dead,' but you know Anenuitants never dye, he 
is therefore better, yet I think he cannot live long ; Dr. Barry 
sais perhaps he may reach August. I belive his Wife and all 
the Family wish him dead, and were he a Hottingtot, without 
doubt they would convey his miserable Body to an old Hutt, 
and leave him to the mercy of the Wild Beasts. I fear I shall 
not get out of Town till Whit Monday. I this Night saw 
poor Mrs. Daley who is still miserable ; indeed, sick, and ill- 
used by the Daughter she loves as usual. Would to God it 
was in your power to give her any Assistance. I likewise 
visited Mrs. Swift, the poor woman is extremely ill. I there 



2i 4 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

saw the venerable picture of the poor Dean of St. Patrick's : 
a fine Painter would have had a fine subject, but Bindon has 
made it very hard. I imagine the Dr. is again in possession 
of you at Oxford, and that this Epistle will attend you in that 
Sweet Retreat. You never tell me how far you have pro- 
ceeded in Pliny, and when the first Volum will go to the Press. 
Pray let Dr. King know that I thank him for his Letter and 
Ld Boyle for his, but realy I cannot answer either till I am 
settled at Caledon. Desire the Dr. if he has any business to 
be done at Law, that he will employ no other Soliciter than 
myself, for I am grown almost as furious a Lawyer as Mr. 
Phipps. Edmund etc. are in perfect Health, which as it is the 
principal happiness of my Life (on this side the water) shall be 
the conclution of my Letter, for how can I make a better 
conclution than by saying that I am my dearest Lord's truly 
affec te and obedient Wife, 

M. ORRERY. 



LADY ORRERY TO LORD ORRERY. 

Caledon, May zznd, 1746. 

MY DEAR LORD, Yesterday Evening we arrived safe and 
well at this Place, accompanied by Miss Peggy Dopping. 
Amidst many agreable circumstances, no doubt there were 
some melancholy : the loss of poor Mr. Pringle, etc., that 
were all never to return to us again. But above all, the want 
of my Laelius' being with us at our survey of the prodigious 
beauty and growth of the Trees planted by his own hands : 
it is scarce to be conceived the progress they have made both 
in hight and thickness of their Body. Like Lord Boyle 
they grow tall and fat at the same time, like him too their 
heads are richly adorned, only his is at the inside, and theirs 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 215 

like most modern young Lords only ornamented of the 
outside of their Sculls. Another melancholy reflection was, 
the joy my Laelius first appeared to have on his coming to 
Caledon, nay even a superior joy that he express'd on his 
return hither the second year of our Marrage, when we 
met our Friend Taylor ; and now to find how much he is 
resolved to see that once loved Place no more. These are 
unpleasing Reflections, but my natural gaiety of temperament 
will get the better of everything except my being absent 
from my dearest Lord, wh. till we meet must be to me a 
constant subject of discontent, and damp the joy of seeing this 
charming place made so charming by your hand. For without 
partiality to this Place, I never yet saw anything either so 
sweetly laid out, or any Place where the Trees flourished 
so finely. But as it is now near 12 o'Clock, and the Coachman 
is to carry away this letter early To-morrow morning, I must 
take my leave of my dearest Lord, assuring him that without 
his Company I can only be his half-blessed, tho' truly affec te 
and dutyfull Wife, 

M. ORRERY. 



THE SAME TO THE SAME. 

Caledon, Saturday, May 24, 1746. 

MY DEAR LORD, I this morning received yours of the 
15 and 1 6 from Oxford, that of the latter date let me first 
answer. Alas I am not conscious of any single instance since 
our marriage wherein I have deserved the accusation of acting 
in any particular without consulting my judgement, my reason 
and my delibration. if I had too good an opinion of my 
judgement, it has been caused by your asking my advice, 
and often acting by that advice, but from this moment till 



216 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

the day of my death, 1 shall no more depend upon my own 
oppinlon, I shall no more presume to offer my advice, but 
make up what I am defficient, by an implicit obedience, 
command me when I am to return to you, I shall return. 

Would to God you had never permited me to leave you. 
I should have remained contented by my dear Lord's side, 
the state of health (I find by Dr. Barry I have been in for 
these many years past) would have carried me gently to my 
Grave, and I should have died in happiness in your Arms, 
in perfect peace to know I had left my Children with such 
a Father, and in the same manner I shall live, whatever sad 
calamities may and are likely to attend us, in perfect happiness 
in your Arms, nor is it in the power of any other beeing 
except God Almight (who is too good to make his creatures 
miserable in this manner) to create the least coolness in our 
Affections, nor would any person in Ireland conduce the least 
particular towards so Devilish a worke. they most truly 
esteem you, nor, when you consider your own merit is it to 
be wondered at they should wish you here, is it not the same 
reasons which make your friends in England wish you stay 
where you are. 

I now beg for God's sake that you will truly tell me 
wherein I have acted wrong, you ought out of tenderness to 
me to corect my ering judgement ; you will never meet with 
a creature more willing to reffbrm or more desirous to be 
set right. 

While I write my Paper is all covered with my tears, 
forgive me, my Dear Lord, any actions during these eight 
years of our marriage which may have been either displeasing 
to you, or contrary to my Duty or your interest. Direct me 
for the future what I am to do : I shall axcept these directions 
with thankfullness and obey all your commands with the 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 217 

utmost pleasure, pitty my infermities and belive my Soul 
doats on you, and that all other pleasures of life I can eisily 
yeild to the superior satisfaction of pleasing my Dearest Lord. 

As all who know this bad World must be, I am almost 
sick of the ingratitude and Vilainey of mankind, for I fear 
I have discovered that Pringle, our much lamented Pringle, 
thought only of making a fortune for his Family, out of our 
indulgance, kindness and estate. God Almighty forgive me 
if I judge wrongfully, but when I can clear up things better, I 
will inform you of many particulars which have surprized me. 

The Children are all in health, next post I shall answer 
more fully your Letters, but at present I am too much 
discomposed to say any thing except that in what ever country 
we are, or what ever misfortunes may (and in all probability 
will attend us) I shall act only by your judgement and live 
and die, my Dear, most Dear, Lord's truly Affectionat faithfull 

and Obedient Wife, 

M. ORRERY. 

LADY ORRERY TO LORD ORRERY. 

Calf don, May 2$t/i, 1746. Monday. 

MY DEAR LORD, . . . The event of the other Lawsuit 
we must leave to time, I hope it will not prove of any long 
continuance : and I am convinced when ever it is finished 
it will prove much to your benefit. 

All things I entirely submit to your determination, both 
the time of my return and how I am to be disposed of 
at my return, everything appears in both these Kingdoms 
to have a most melancholy aspect, certainly it is so in 
Ireland, poverty and destress is seen in both the dress and 
looks of all the People, and it is incredable the dreadfull 
alteration I find (for the worse) both at Dublin and in the 



2i8 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

Country ; a few years, if Affairs do not mend, must end 
in the utter ruing of Ireland, and probably a few years 
after England will fall. Greater people and greater states 
have felt these changes, and why should not the English. 

My Spirits now begin to sink, which never failed before : 
I have now neither publick nor private hope : absence from 
my dearest Lord, and the thought of the uneasiness he suffers, 
with that absence are constant torments to me. But let me 
not talk to you at this rate, we shall meet, and that will 
restore a great degree of happiness to, my Dear Lord, your 
truly Affectionat and Obedient Wife, 

M. ORRERY. 

The Children are well, Edmund was this day wet to the 
skin as he was riding, my most true Affections attends 
Ld Boyle, Mr. Boyle and Dr. King, when I am more chear- 
ful I will write to them. 



LADY ORRERY TO LORD ORRERY. 

Caledon, May ^ist, 1746. Saturday. 

THIS morning I received the most excesive joyfull news 
of my dearest Laelius's intention to visit Ireland. According 
to the best judgement God has given me, I realy think it 
is absolutely necessary at this time : but imagine not, my 
dearest Lord, that I will ever form a single wish that you 
should reside at Caledon a moment longer than either business 
or your inclinations ingage you. think not, that I would 
not much rather preffer strugling in a slow manner to retreive 
our affairs : than endanger the least failure in the education 
of Lord Boyle or Mr. Boyle, and I can say with the utmost 
truth, that should in your absence any miscarriage happen 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 219 

in their conduct, as the motion came from me, it would go 
near to break my heart, as they are so hopefull, and as I 
know the time of Life so dangerous, belive me I regard 
them as the persons who are to continue the virtues of 
my Laelius to posterity. I could not bear the reproaches 
of my own heart should they miscarry, but much more a 
single reproach from my Laelius. 

When you are present you will perfectly judge what is 
advisable to be done. Colonel Jephson's arrival (as you will 
see by the Enclosed) and his declearing himself willing to 
be examined seem happy presages of as speedy a conclution of 
the Lawsuit as it is possible at least of bringing the affair 
to publication. 

My economy shall, please God, for the future be such as 
shall merit your approbation : to this end I think we had 
better order Bowen to discharge the Cook ; who, tho' she be 
a good Servant, yet as she has been used to too wastefull a 
manner of Living, a new person in that station may be better. 

Imagine not that I have ever in thought preffered either 
Friend, Relation, or, even what is far dearer, our Children to 
my Laelius in my Affections, for you I left them all without 
reluctance, for you I am ready to leave them again, nay, 
could you command me, for ever, yet this I hope and belive 
you never will do without it is my own fault, in this sad point 
of economy, for I belive (when you see the ill use Agents 
have made of trust and power) you will judge it proper to 
look personaly over their actions, as well as to continue your 
great indulgence to me of visiting my Relations, Friends and 
Country for five or six months in three or four years. 

I am most throughly sensible and most highly indebted to 
my dearest Lord for that kind indulgence ; witness heaven 
how thouroughly tender my sentiments are towards him, 



220 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

witness heaven, I aime at no earthly consideration but pre- 
serving his Interests and meriting his Affection : these are 
my first, my chief consideration, next the love of my Children 
and of those of my Laelius, and after that I permit the regard 
to my Friends and your Caledon to take place. I likewise 
love Marston, as it is your favouret Mistress, and trust in 
God (if we live) we shall pass many happy days in that place. 
I dearly love my many valuable Friends which my Laelius 
has made me acquainted with in England, and nothing would 
be more disagreable than to think of our having a long 
separation from them. 

Thus have I given you the state of my heart, and I think 
I can safely say with St. Paul, before God I lie not. 

I must now confess one folly and peice of extravagance 
I am guilty of, which I hope you will pardon, as I promiss 
I will transgress no more in this manner, I am repearing the 
damages commited by the waters in your charming workes 
by the Ford. It is raining very hard all this day, and almost 
frightnes me least a Flood should return and lay all even 
again, but the Farmers promiss that this Rain will make your 
rents better paid. 

Agnew's Arears are very great, and I fear he is utterly 
unable to pay them. I belive you must take Norris's farm 
as part of them, at a most exceeding high price, but it is better 
to get that than nothing : which I doubt will be the case if 
he dies, and he is above eighty years of Age. besides it will 
prevent sad damages from a pack of begars who are his 
tenants, and who daily break in upon our Land, and also be 
of singular Service to Edmund, if it ever please God he resides 
at Caledon. 

As soon as you let me know whether you will part with 
Mary the Cook, or have her come over, I will order my 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 221 

Affairs in settling my Family, and have all things in the best 
order in my power for the reception of my Dearest Lord, and 
the thoughts of seeing you here renders my heart almost too 
joyfull if it can be too joyfull to see its Love. 

To God Almighty's good providence and the care of 
Dr. Mead I commit your health. I will do all in my power 
to get from this place a little money to forward your journey. 

Will Taylor's death gives me some hopes of the infection 
going of in the fall of the Leaf. 

Edmund is singing aloud, he oftens talks of Papa and 
quareled with Mrs. Lowry because she said he did not love 
you. Lucy talkes like a Parot, and is much improved in 
her feet. 

I think the method Purcell takes will prevent any evil 
consequence from your permitting him to accept of Ld 
Kingston's Agency. Dr. Barry has given him some prescrip- 
tions, but I very much fear he will not be a long-lived man. 

My head is tired with writing, but my heart will never be 
weary of admiring and loving my Laelius, of axcknoleding 
its gratatude for all his tenderness, all his indulgance, his 
pardoning my many slips so often repeated : and this most 
Affectionat proof of his Love in undertaking so long a 
Journey to come to the Arms of, my Dear Lord, Your most 
truly Affectionat and obedient Wife, 

M. ORRERY. 

Goolde has given you an account of Crothy's death, he is 
gon to visit his friend Badham. whether he has done you 
justice in his examination we cannot divine, but if he has 
not, I make no doubt but by this time he sincerely wishes 
he had been both more upright and made better atoanment 
for the frauds he has been concerned with Badham. 



222 THE ORRERY PAPERS 



LADY ORRERY TO LORD ORRERY. 

Caledon, Monday, June *nd t 1 746. 

MY DEAR LORD, This Epistle must not carry much of 
the overflowings of my heart either in Love or gratitude to 
you, for we are just going along with Mrs. Lowry and Miss 
Dopping to pay a visit to the Bishop of Clogher, Mrs. 
Lowry's Horses draw my Coach, it is now almost nine o'Clock 
and we are yet to breakfast. You will wonder who this 
Bishop of Clogher is, who we give ourselves the trouble to go 
so far to see, for, till I was at Dublin I was ignorant of his 
being our Neighbour, it is Dr. Clayton, your former Bp of 
Corke. 

Edmund desires his d r Papa would bring him a little Gun 
from London. Luli is one of the happy few who have no 
desires, all mine are to see my d r Lord, and to be ever 
esteemed by him his most truly AfF e and Obedient Wife, 

M. ORRERY. 



THE SAME TO THE SAME. 

Caledon, June 4, 1 746. 

WE went my dear Lord to the Bishop of Cloghers, 1 where 
we found a very kind and obliging reception, and were most 
violently pressed to stay all night, but you know I love my 
own home, even when my Laelius is absent ; how dear then 
must it be when he is present ! Mrs. Clayton is I belive in a 
very bad state of health, yet nothing mortal only a high 
degree of Vapers and low spirits ; happy are those who have 
not this most dreadful malady, on their own account, and 

1 Clayton, Bishop of Clogher, was a near relation of Lady Sundon. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 223 

happy on their husband's, for a man is to be pittied most 
thoroughly whose lot is fallen in hystillical ground. The 
Bishop realy appeared to watch her Eyes, and rejoice at every 
bit she eat : he is exceeding tender of her, and I doubt their 
great discontent is the want of children : no doubt these little 
creatures vastly entwin life ; they afford in their Youth 
constant food for chearfulness, in their stage of life constant 
employment, and in their manhood they are the best Freinds 
and most agreable Companions their Parents can have. We 
enjoy at the same time this treble benefit, and while the Elder 
are Companions the Younger are Delights. God Almighty 
grant we may during our lives keep both the companions and 
the playfellows he has been mercifully pleased to bestow on us. 
I have been led into this long degression by the great and 
only want there seemed to be of a young family at Clogher. 
For they have riches, honour, and prosperity, and is it not just 
that Providence should withhold some Blessings when He has 
in many other respects so largely bestowed. On us Heaven 
has poured the Contrary Happiness, and Time and industry 
may give afluence, at least while we are together it may give 
us Content. All the Works of the late Bishop are utterly 
condemned, and realy it is hard to have two thousand pounds 
to pay while there is not one convenience near the House, and 
it is tumbling. The weather is so cold that we all sit by Fires, 
and surely our clymate is much changed, for I remember 
Summers which had more than one fortnight of hot weather 
and that has been exactly the portion we have enjoyed for 
some years past. Thank God Mr. Strong is dead, old Capt. 
Manson not able to go out, Gill Lowry from home, and the 
rest of our neighbours too far off to make visits, so I live 
quiet and unmolested ; my walks, my Children, and my 
domestick business take up all my time ; my dearest Lord all 



224 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

my thoughts. We are soon to have Archdeacon Congrave 
down at Mellery. he is a very good man and grown 
more chearfull and more healthfull than usual. I do not 
know whether you would have any Port laid in, or think 
Claret is equaly for the benefit of your Health, pray inform me 
in this particular, for it is much the dearest Article to me, and 
what I preffer far above the life of my dearest Lord's truly 

affe te and obedient wife, 

M. ORRERY. 

LADY ORRERY TO LORD ORRERY. 

Caledon, Saturday, June the -jth, 1746. 

MY dearest Lord's Letter wrote on his Lucy's birthday, is 
just arrived ; be assured I will do all in my power to regulate 
my Family as it ought to be and as shall be both pleasing to 
you and to the great point of overcoming our debts : and I 
hope you will find it on your arrival better regulated than (to 
my shame be it spoken) it has ever yet been. 

Mary is a Servant entirely to my mind, when I men- 
tioned descharging her, it was only from the thought of the 
expence of bringing her over and my consciousness that she 
knew too well my too easy temper. I will let her know that 
I am resolved to look narowly into all things. I therefore 
beg she may be sent over as soon as possible. 

I have by chance got a Maid who is as good a baker as 
ever I met with at no higher wages than four pounds a year 
and usefull in other particulars. I have got a laundress, 
and am in hopes washing at home will be far less expencive 
than abroad, our Family is and must be large, yet I hope 
we shall bring it within a narrow compass of expence. 

Your Advice, your instructions and your directions have 
(to the best of knowledge) been the guide and the pleasure 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 225 

of my Life : if ever there droped any reproaches from my 
tongue, again I earnestly beg your pardon for them, I am 
sure they never came from my heart, and I am certain I 
never did mean them as such, tho' the delicacy of your 
sentiments may have rendered them so to you. for the 
future I beg you will talk freely, and if my toung should 
utter any thing that is displeasing, let me know what it is, 
and I will take care to avoid it as I should a viper, for we 
may very inoscently walk near a viper which might sting 
those we love best, without knowing we were so near so 
offencive a creature. 

By Monday's Post I hope to send you an account 
whether I shall have a proper horse for you. I expect one 
to-morrow of the size of Rose, if she is strong enough for 
you, but till I have seen her I shall deffer giving my 
opinion. 

I have been all this day endeavouring to compremize 
defferances between brother and Brother, and am as much 
tired with siting as Judge as Sr John Falsestaff would have 
been had Prince Hall bestowed on him that Post. 

Next Monday I intend to assure Lord Boyle how much 
it will add to my great happiness of seeing my Laelius, to 
have his company at Caledon, where he will find his old 
admirer Balandine full of his praizes. 

A Visit from Lord Boyle and you to Marston will give 
that part of the world universal satisfaction, and I hope be 
beneficial and agreable both to your health and interests in that 
Part of the World, and perhaps sooner than you expected 
finish the Lawsuit. 

I think Herbert had better come with you, as we want a 
person under Evens, even for the little way we shall live in. 
I will write to Bowen next post, to send some Knives, forkes, 

VOL. II. P 



226 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

spoons and a few other necessary things which it is im- 
possible to do without. 

Edmund is at my knee desiring to write to his Papa, but 
my long administration of justice to the Tenants this morning 
must prevent him from dictating his Letter this Day, but he 
bids me say he is a good Boy, and Lali a good girl, Lady 
Betty very diligent and very obliging. I am, my dearest 
Lord, your most truly Affectionat and Obedient Wife, 

M. ORRERY. 

LADY ORRERY TO LORD ORRERY. 

Caledon, June the gth, 1746. 

I WAS in hopes this morning to have had a Letter from 
my dear Lord, cruel winds, who have not permited me to 
hear from my Laelius either by Saturdays or Mondays 
Post. I must therefore live on the hopes of seeing his 
beloved hand on Thursday, telling his truly Affectionat Wife 
and his most faithfull Freind that her offences are forgiven, 
and her heedlessnesses and mismanagements forgoten. for till 
those glad tidings arrive, a heart which lives but on your 
smiles can never know peace, still, every Letter I write is 
dewed with my tears, but your coming to me will dry them 
up, and banish every sorrow, every discontent from your 
Laelia. 

This morning I informed Mrs. Pringle that we realy had 
not room for her in this House on your Arrival, for instid of 
finding her here alone with her Children sent to School, there 
was two for a constancy and sometimes four or five with her 
Servants : she might in her former manner have been of great 
use to me, but with this overgrown Family will only eat us up. 
I therefore hope by the beginning of July, they and Mr. Ellis 
(who is another incumbrance) will be removed. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 227 

I really think that Pringle took as much pains to remove 
us from this Place as he ought to have done to have made it 
axceptable to us, and that they began to think Caledon their 
own. We have suffered most severely by Agents already, 
both in Munster and the North ; let us therefore, whether 
your residence at Caledon be long or short, put it out of any 
Person's power to hurt us again ; but this will be most difficult 
to be done, and demands our most serious consideration. 

I have got a Mare which I hope will fit you, she is rather 
taller and a little stronger than Rose, gentle as a Lamb, and 
trots full as easy as Rose, with a great deal of Spirit and very 
pretty. I think She will please you, but I am sure she will be 
very proper for Lord Boyle, tho' I would rather wish she 
might be acceptable to my Laelius, because I have a very 
pretty young creature for him of my own breed, but she is 
only three years old, yet I think when she gets more Age she 
will be a compleat Beauty. Charlotte (as I call your Mare) 
was given me by Mr. Gordon, he bought her in Northumber- 
land. She is of the highest blood in England, he came from 
Scotland to visit his old Father, and in the way to Dublin 
called here ; he said, on my saying I wanted one for you, he 
has left a mare who would fit me at Downpatrick, and desired 
me to send for her, and when I saw her he would fix the Price : 
but on his going away he most genteely told Thomas Moor 
that he dare not offer her to me as a present in person, but 
that he beged I would axcept her as such, and that he never 
would fix any rate on her. I must next look out for a pair 
of horses for your Post Chaise, which I hope to have ready for 
you at Dublin. 

Let me know whether you will let me fly to Dublin to 
meet you, or remain here and wait with as much patience as 
Love is capable of, your most wished arrival. I shall in this 



228 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

motion, as in all other of my Life, be entirely guided by your 
commands which to obey have ever been (to the best of my 
knowledge) both the delight and study of the Life of, my 
Dearest Lord, your truly Affectionat and Obedient Wife, 

M. ORRERY. 

I have road Charlotte, and she is for sure a Charmer. 
Alas, poor old Sothern gon at length. I write to his daughter 
by this Post. 

LADY ORRERY TO LORD ORRERY. 

Wednesday, June ntfi, 1746. 

WERE I not sure that my Dearest Lord will not arrive 
here till the latter end of this month at soonest I should greive 
at our Longest days being past, for surely daylight is the 
greatest joy of the Country, and when once they are turned 
they very soon sensibly decrease. 

Yesterday we were starving, this day we are broiling, 
surely if variety be agreable, these Kingdoms afford us this 
pleasure in perfection. I hope at least the weather which 
attends my Laelius' steps is fine, tho' I know not in what part 
of England to fix your present Residence, sometimes I fancy 
you are at London, sometimes I imagine you at Oxford, nay, 
my Love sometimes makes me hope you are on your journey 
towards your Lelia, yet that I cannot expect, as this is the 
begining of June, not July. 

An old House requires continual Repairs. I am forced to 
do something to this, but it shall only be just what is necessary 
to keep it up and make it habitable, not fit for you who have 
one so much better : when I look at its figure within and 
without I am conscious it is unworthy of you, and shall be 
almost ashamed to ask my Laelius to enter so poor a habitation. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 229 

Yet you have taken it like your Lelia for better for worse, and 
like her, tho' there are no outward beauties, yet you are 
pleased to love her, and I hope you will do the same by her 
House ; but alas, in one thing we differ very much, for, give 
you but money, and you may make this dwelling as fine as 
Chiswick, but all the money in the world will not make me 
either hansom or young : one thing I will promiss you, 
that I will never ask or hint at your staying here a single hour 
more than you shall be pleased to appoint, and that I shall 
follow you hence with the same good humour that I shall shew 
while I remain at this Place, and I have often heard you say 
that I was very good humoured. 

Of all days in the Weeke I hate Wednesday. we are 
obliged to write and have received no Letters. We are im- 
patient for the Post of to-morrow, and in constant expectation 
of answering some weighty command, or hearing some strange 
peice of News, yet perhaps when Thursday comes there are no 
Letters, but as I have had none since that day sevenight, surely 
I shall be blessed with a Letter from you, for your Letters are 
blessings and cordials to me. yet how impatiently I long to 
change the charming correspondant for the dear companion. 

You love to hear something of your Children. Lady Betty, 
I sopose, speaks for herself. She is much with Miss Peggy 
Dopping, while I am at my Beareau, and the rest of the day 
either walking or working with us. Edmund is rambling, 
riding, fishing, laying in a vast stock of health but not one word 
of Learning, he is as hopefull a Country Squire as the Squire 
of Nunny, only, thank heaven, he has not got a single dog since 
our arrival, and is exceeding sober, never tastes a single drop 
of October, and realy drinks too little, for I can scarce get 
him to drink with his meat : but in the love of Liquor, Lucy 
makes amends for her Brother, she is as wild as Edmund, and 



2jo THE ORRERY PAPERS 

rides and walks as much as he does. Thus you see Health 
prevails at Caledon. I follow Dr. Barry's prescription exactly, 
and hope to overcome the long established disorder in my 
Stomach, whilst my Laelius pursues Dr. Mead's regimine, by 
which methods, I hope, like old Captain Hewart, we shall dance 
together at ninety-five, so that till that time you will continue 
to love and I to be my Dr Lord's truly Affect, and Obedient 

Wife, 

M. ORRERY. 

LADY ORRERY TO LORD ORRERY. 

Caledon, Monday, June i6tfi, 1746. 

THIS morning I received my Dearest Lord's most kind 
letter of the 7th of June : belive me, every instance of tender- 
ness towards your Lelia affects me more sensibly when I think 
I have in the most trivial point deserved your displeasure, it 
almost breaks my heart : but when I find you so easily and so 
generously pardon my offences, it fills that hart with so great 
an overflowing of thankfullness and gratitude that I can by no 
means express with either my tongue or pen : but be assured I 
will express it in the most noble, the best and the truest 
manner, which is, by amending what you are so good as to 
call my only fault (tho* I know I have many more) the want 
of through care for your Family. Yet my Dearest Love, 
think not that restraining to let me know my faults will be a 
thing desirable to your Lelia. Heaven has set you over me as 
my guide and instructor, freely tell me when and where I am 
wrong, and if I continue in eror, then the fault is mine : be 
assured I shall always receive your instructions with pleasure. 

Tho' I wish for nothing so much as your presence, yet I 
would be sorry you were to leave Pliney. He is to transmit 
your name to posterity, and therefore in my opinion you 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 231 

cannot give him too much attention. He is the Minerva of 
my Jupiter, the Son of your Head ; and it has ever been the 
oppinion of the wise that we cannot be too carefull in our 
children's education ; stay with him until he is compleat, and 
let us comfort ourselves with these hopes that we shall never 
have another tedious separation. 

I am not postively sertain that I wrote to you the Post you 
had a Letter from Baker, but I am sure that I did not omit 
writing any other Day, nor will I fail to write every post till 
we again forget this long sepration in each others Arms. I 
will write to Baker, I belive he is a great Rogue, but a cuning 
Fellow. 

The Affairs of P. I cannot yet make out : I had a Paper 
put into my hands with most horrid accusations against him 
which I know to be false, but some are certainly true. 
Besides, the great pains which I know he took to remove you 
from residing at Caledon, which gave him House, Gardens and 
Lands to dispose of at his Pleasure. when I see you here we 
shall have time enough to look into these Affairs, and I make 
no doubt (be our residence long or short) We shall leave things 
in a better and less expensive manner than we found them. 
Thomas Moor shall be my chief Manager, I can confide in 
him, and know he regards alone our interest. Mary the 
Cook's arrival will rid me of the present set of Idlers and dirty 
beasts. I am impatient till she comes. 

I have written so much that I have not room to inform you 
how much I am charmed with the wild beauty of Benhur, and 
can only say all are well, my breast calm, full of love to my 
Dearest Lord, to whom I will ever remain a truly AfP and 
Obedient Wife, 

M. ORRERY. 



232 THE ORRERY PAPERS 



LADY ORRERY TO LORD ORRERY. 

Calf don, June z^rd, 1746. 

I AM extremely glad my dear Lord diverts himself at 
Vauxhall ; tho' I receive a short Epistle from that Evening's 
Amusement, I cannot be so selfish as to wish you should 
deprive your Friends of your Company, even for a short time, 
when you are going to dedicate at least some months to me, 
when they must be totally deprived of your presence : but I 
trust in God Almighty that this journey will for ever prove to 
your benefit, tho' it takes you from the place and persons you 
love, first by puting our oeconomy in a proper chanel, and next 
by finishing your Lawsuit. I will not speak anything of the 
beauty of your Garden till you see it. I had a Letter To-day 
from Mrs. French, in which she informs me the poor Dutchess 
of Devonshire x is gone mad, and sent up to London for Dr. 
Monroe's advice. I hope, if you can spare an hour, you will 
dedicate it to Lady Betty Spelman, who loves you. We have 
had great rains which have benefited the corn and grass, but 
done me great damage : the flood came on me on Saturday 
night, took away my Sods in a moment, threw down my 
Works, and put me in the same distress as the people in the 
days of Noah. Now I trust Neptune will extend his care over 
my Laelius, smooth every wave before and waft him to me 
oer gentle billows, for he knows I regard his safety more 
than my own, and that he is dearer than Life to his truly AfF te 

and Obedient Wife, 

M. ORRERY. 

1 Catherine Hoskins, daughter and co-heir of J. Hoskins, and wife of William, 3rd 
Duke of Devonshire. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 233 



THE SAME TO THE SAME. 

Caledon, June 25, 1746. 

I ALMOST doubt whether this Letter will reach my dear 
Lord's hand before he leaves London, but to whatever place it 
follows him, belive me it will bear the testimonys of a heart 
all of tenderness and gratitude, whose Prayers will attend you 
till you have passed this odious distance of sea and land that 
lies between us. Our rains have brought a sea into the field 
before the House ; but you must land at Dublin, and one of 
us must travel many a dusty mile before we meet. Well we 
shall meet and all will be Happiness. To-morrow we go to 
Pewella ; Mrs. Moore made me a Visit which I must return : 
her Lord is so much afflicted with gravel that he goes little 
abroad ; therefore I pay that visit before your arrival. You 
know how I hate going abroad ; I moan, and pity myself at least 
two days before I undertake any long expedition ; surely never 
were two people better mached in most things than we are, but 
particularly in the love of staying at Home. In this Article a 
King, who is in most respects a very reached Being is extremely 
happy, for He need pay no Visits. Mrs. French writes me 
word that Ld Kildare 1 is to remain with his mother till he 
goes over to be made happy, or perhaps miserable. I find 
that My Lady has consented to the match, but what else could 
she do ? He would have been happier married to Miss 
O'bryan, both for My Lady's and his own sake, but I am 
almost one of those silly women who belive Fate brings about 
marriage; yet why should not Heaven interpose in the most 
material sircumstance of our Lives ; at least I shall always 

1 The Earl of Kildare married in February 1747, Emilia, daughter of Charles, 2nd 
Duke of Richmond and Lennox, and became successively Marquis of Kildare and 
Duke of Leinster. 



234 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

think that Heaven took peculiar care in bringing my Laelius 
to me. May the same auspitious planet preside over Ld 
Boyle's Nuptials, and send him a Wife who will as thoroughly 
esteem his merit. You will find on your Arrival at Dublin 
fine Mrs. Phipps, and no doubt receive from Her and her 
Husband some tribute of civility, for the many kindnesses you 
have showed to her and her family. Edmund is come to tell 
me that the Post call for this; his message to you is as 
follows : My dear Papa I beg that you will come some day 
or another and see me. I am my dearest Lord, Yr truly 

AfP e and Obedient Wife, 

M. ORRERY. 

LADY ORRERY TO LORD ORRERY. 

Caledon, Monday, June 30^, 1746. 

MY DEAR LORD, I must not let the day pass by which 
gave me to my Laelius without praying to Heaven and testify- 
ing to him how earnestly I wish that this happy Union may 
never be broaken but with our mutual Lives, and that when we 
have seen our Children happily settled and past the snares of 
Youth, we may at the same moment resign our breath, and 
together take our flight to the joys of immortality. 

I addressed my last Letter to Northampton, this to Sr W. 
Bagot's and my next to Sir Watking Williams ; this must be 
short, for I expect Captain Maxwell's Family this moment, 
therefore adieu. Mrs. Lowry came into Breakfast, other people 
to do business after, and have left me only a moment to say 
all are well, and that I am etearnaly my Dr Lord's truly 

AfP and Obedient Wife, 

M. ORRERY. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 235 



THE SAME TO THE SAME. 

Caledon, July jth, 1746. 

MANY are the fears least my dear Lord should be detained 
by these Trials and not have left London the third. I hope 
Thursday's Letters may clear up my doubts and bring me an 
assurance under your hand that Lord Chesterfield has obtained 
lave for your abbsence ; however, I conclude that your three 
visits will detain you from your Lelia till near the twentyith ; 
could I but know the day you will arrive at Newry I would 
fly towards that Place on the wings both of Love and im- 
patience to meet you at Market Hill. You may if you bring 
your Post Chaise easily reach Dunlear the first night and on 
the second your own Mantion. Poor Thomas Moor cannot 
meet you at Dublin, but Evens shall. 

Our Weather still continues wet and cold, which makes 
me imagine you will think your Post-Chaise most necessary in 
your Munster progress. 

I imagine you will see our worthy Friend Sir Watkin 
Williams' three fine Seats, and also many an Honest uncor- 
rupted Welsh heart, the honest blood which streams thro' 
both our veans, I imagine, derived from our Welsh Ancestors, 
and still imagine that I treace the noble spirit of these Antient 
Britons, mixed with the liberty-loving Romans, in my Laelius. 
they contemned wealth on dishonourable terms, servitude to 
the Saxons, and retired with their Liberty and their Poverty to 
the less rich tho' not less beautiful wilds of Wales ; my 
Laelius rejects Court bribes and Court offers, and retires to 
poor tho' peacefull Shades, his Latin Friends will follow him 
hither, Virgil, Horace, Ovid and his own Pliny will attend his 
Steps, thro' shades, meads and groves whose sweetness may 



236 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

even tempt Apolo to lave Parnassus : the nine fair Virgins are 
ready at his call. Homer and Sheakspere lay every scean of 
Nature open to his view, quiet will surround his head, whilst 
the rest of the world are filled with the spectacles of War, 
Blood, Cruelty, Malice and Revenge. 

Thus you may sleep like don Quixot's inchanted Knights 
in ease and security, till the care of what so justly merits your 
chief regard, Lord Boyle's Education or Marriage, awakes you 
from this slumber ; we will then forsake the lives of Philoso- 
phers and take upon us the former state of the old Lord and 
Lady. 

Edmund dines this day by himself at Mr. Lowry's, he 
goes with the utmost order to Dr. Balendine to say his Book, 
and has just got through the foundation that all other learning 
is built upon, the 24 Letters. Lucy gains strength, health and 
words every day, we are all well, and I remain my Dear Lord's 

Truly AfP and Obedient Wife, 

M. ORRERY. 

LADY ORRERY TO LORD ORRERY. 

Caledon, July 12, 1746. 

THIS happy Letter will be perhaps one of the first objects 
which salutes my Dear Lord's Eyes on his arrival at Mr. 
Marlow's. o could your Laelia convey herself along with her 
paper it would give her three days more in her whole of life 
of through satisfaction, for when absent from her much Loved, 
much honoured Lord, she lives like a person who has who 
has, in short, who has their beloved Husband absent, for she 
can compare her uneasiness to nothing so unhappy. Since you 
do not bring your Post Chaise we will not be at the expense 
of buying Horses, if the news of this day be true our Rents 
will be again ill-paid, for it is said that the Rebellion is again 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 237 

rising in Scotland, and that the Duke has been betten by the 
Hyland Army, who are not so sunk as all loyal Subjects wish 
these wicked Rebels were, the News report your Charles 
killed there and his troops routed, but others say he has beaten 
our troops, would to God Almighty this Affair may soon be 
over, and that this young Pretender and his adherents may 
meet with the fate they so justly merit. 

I belive you will meet Mr. Dopping here, for a letter 
came directed for him this day, he said as soon as you came 
over he would pay his respects to you. his behavour during 
my residence at Dublin was exceeding sivil and polite, and 
realy just as it should be. I am glad he chuses this time to 
come, as Miss Peggy is here, and as our family will be pretty 
full with Ld Boyle, when you will have less restraint on you 
than if you were alone. 

Farewell, belive me almost the happiest creature in the 
world on the expectation of your coming, but not quite so 
till the arrival of my Dear Laelius, to whom I am a truly 
AfP and Obedient Wife. 

M. ORRERY. 

Lady Betty desires her Duty, &c., could Edmund and 
Lucy know their excelant Papa as well, they would do as 
much, but tho' below stairs they are very well and making a 
great noise. 

THE SAME TO THE SAME. 

Caledon, July 16, 174.6. 

THE imagination that this Epistle will not find my Dr 
Lord at Dublin, but follow him to Caledon, makes me only 
write a few Lines, if he be in Town, that he may receive some 
small acknowledgement from his Laelia, smaller than a grain of 



238 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

sand in comparison of the affection and gratitude of my heart, 
and that he may not be surprized if he sees his little Lucy's Arm 
in a sling, she got a fall, her Arm was so swelled that I 
fancied it had been out of joint, and sent for Dr. King, who 
assures me that it is neither so nor broaken, and that a few 
days will set it to rights, she is very well and the swelling much 
fallen, but I mention this least some other person should 
represent it to you in a frightfull manner. 

Adieu, my Dearest Lord ; that all the blessings of heaven 
may attend you and Ld Boyle is the daily prayer of your 

truly Afft. and Obedient Wife, 

M. ORRERY. 

LADY ORRERY TO LORD ORRERY. 

Caledon, July iqth, 1746. 

THURSDAY : S Post brought me three Letters from my 
Dear Lord, one from Wynstay which informed me of your 
motions. I do not wonder that you should be detained longer 
than you at first proposed under so hospitable a Roof as that of 
Sr Watkings. I always have found great happiness in follow- 
ing your footsteps, but I shall attend them to no place with 
greater pleasure than to the House of these very worthy friends. 

I wrote you word in my last that Lucy was fallen and was 
hurt, but thank God Almighty I can now tell you that she 
feels no other Malady from that hurt but black and blue, and 
a little weakness. Edmund grows tall and much more atten- 
tive to his Book, and in better order than he was. I told you 
in my last that I fancyed that Epistle would follow you hither, 
but my hopes to see you make me sure you will have left 
Dublin before this will arrive thither ; and as Letters will be 
useless when we are together, I will not interrupt our conver- 
sation to express my joy on your arrival, and will with what 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 239 

truth and sincerity remain my Dear Lord's most Affectionat 

and Obedient Wife, 

M. ORRERY. 

THE SAME TO THE SAME. 

Caledon^ July z6tA, 1746. 

WHILE my Dearest Lord is happy I can find no uneasi- 
ness but the want of his all chearing company, and can as 
willing as it is possible for a lover, resign him for a few days 
longer to so good a friend as Sr Watkin Williams : yet hope 
that this Epistle will be the last I shall have occasion to write 
till I am assured you are upon Irish Ground. 

The violent disorder I found this Place in must occasion a 
good deal of expence to make it habitable, and to build a place 
for washing and baking in, having both these articles performed 
at home will save us 50^ a year. If you on your coming here 
find us going on right and resolve to spend the winter here, a 
small alteration in the Stairs will give this house quite another 
appearance, and unworthy as it is of being blessed with my 
Laelius' presence, yet render it more tolerable. 

I received a most axceptable Letter from poor Mr. Boyle. 
I cannot help wishing you had left orders for the Dear Boy to 
follow you during the Baltholmy holidays, he might have come 
in the stage and Bowen have brought him over, and returned 
with Ld Boyle, I confess I wish to see him and to indulge 
him in all things, because I know his desirs moderate and that 
he is a youth of as much virtue as any in England, and gives 
us the fairest prospect of being a great and good man. 

I am a truly AfFectionat and Obedient Wife. 

M. ORRERY. 

Lucy's Arm still gathers strength, both the Children enjoy 
perfect health. 



2 4 o THE ORRERY PAPERS 



LADY ORRERY TO LORD ORRERY. 

Caledon, Aug. zot/i, 1746. 

ONCE more let me congratulate my Dear Lord on his safe 
arrival at Broghil, if your health be as good as my wishes for 
it, you neither at present, nor till above fourscore will have a 
moment's complaint, a moment's uneasiness, but will live like 
Nestor ; feasting with your sons after the destined fall of Troy, 
and rejoicing in your growing Grandsons and great grandsons 
youthfull meriment. 

I imagine you sit by good fires in Munster as we do in our 
Northern Region, no doubt you eat and drink, or see an 
abundance of meat and drink. Company you have in abun- 
dance, Sq's with blue Coats, red Weastcoats and Cocades in 
their Hats : no money in their Purses. . . . 

Edmund reads as hard as might make a great Scholler, if 
continued for twenty years together. Lucy has since morn- 
ing been very feverish, and has all the simptoms of teeth, by 
puting her hands in her Mouth, which makes me hope it is 
not the Fever among most of the poor People, do not be 
uneasy, for I trust in God she will soon be well, and since I 
have so severely suffered by teeth, I can never see the Children 
feverish without having fears for them. She will not leave me, 
and is now siting in my lap, and asked me whether I was writ- 
ing to Papa, and desired her service to him and to ask him how 
he do ? She will not let me write to Lord Boyle or add a word 
more but that I am my Dear Lord's truly Aff' and Obedient 
Wife, 

M. ORRERY. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 241 



THE SAME TO THE SAME. 

Caledon^ August 25, 1746. 

MY DEAR LORD, There are many things in this World 
of which I am heartily tired, but of nothing so much as of 
writing Letters : to my Laelius they are only agreable, but to 
all the rest of the world a Labour, yet I am obliged to Labour 
at so many every post that I must make those to my Laelius 
less long than they would be otherwise. 

On Saturday morning as we sat quietly at breakfast, a Coach 
stoped at the Door, and up came Dr. Premium Madden, a tall, 
thin, wide mouthed Wife and two daughters, each of them fat 
and brown as Ma King ; I was forced to receive a multitude 
of Kisses and embraces with seeming joy, but ready to cry 
that I was obliged to desist from writing to you, and overseeing 
my Rustick Cascade, well, I walked and I talked them all 
round the Gardens, but judge of the intolerable length of a 
day from ten to five, seven long hours, however, as all evil 
and good will have an end, at last the horses were put too and 
they trooped away, o the blessing of a little House, o the 
comfort of not having a spare Bed. for they declare they 
generaly stay a week or a fortnight at every visit. 

Yesterday was St. Bartholomew's day, which gives poor 
Hammy liberty, how happy it would have made us had you 
brought him over to pass his Holidays in Caledon, but that is 
passed. 

Lucy is again well, but till she has all her teeth I shall have 
constant cares on her account, tho' cares are what mankind are 
born to, and we must expect they will pursue us from the credle 
to the grave, all we can do is to make them sit as light upon us 
as it is possible. 

VOL. II. Q 



242 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

Thomas Moor summonses my Letter. I can only add Ed- 
mund is well, and diligence itself, the Ladys (not I) say the 
Doctor makes him apply too close, but I realy think it will 
render all future learning easy. Adieu, belive me most truly 
And AfFectionatly my Dear Lord's most Obedient Wife, 

M. ORRERY. 
LADY ORRERY TO LORD ORRERY. 

Caledon, August 30^, 1746. 

MY DEAR LORD, I have got a Cold in my head and the 
toothach, for which I have clapt a blister behind my Ear, yet 
I fear nothing will remove this malady but drawing it, which I 
will certainly do if it rages till Monday, all the rest of this 
household are in perfect health. 

You appear in high spirits at Limerick, and I hope will 
continue so during your residence at Broghill, which I also 
hope will prove agreable to Lord Boyle. Your Post I find 
does not go to Charleville more than twice a weeke, which will 
only allow us to write two Letters instead of three, I long to 
have all writing over, and my wandering Ulises settled with 
his old Penelope. 

When you have been some time at Caledon you will better 
judge how long you need confine yourself in the retirement 
of this place, be assured I shall not even form a wish that you 
should reside here a moment longer than your own inclination 
prompt you to stay. What is past cannot be recalled, we must 
do the best we can for the future. 

So great a stupidity attends my disorder that I really am 
as long writing a line as at another time I could despach a 
page, therefore excuse sending you an acount of your Garden, 
your Cascade, or anything else, conclude me well where you 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 243 

receive this Letter, which I will certainly be, either by warmth 
or drawing, you will, I am certain, conclude my heart is 
with you, and that I am my Dear Lord's most truly AfP and 

Obedient Wife, 

M. ORRERY. 

THE SAME TO THE SAME. 

Caledon, Sept. ya, 1746 

THO' I direct this Letter to Broghill Castle, it is probable 
you will be flown to Corke before its arrival, and that it must 
again be claped into a dirty leather Bag and ride after you : to 
be with you I would be contented to be put into a dirty 
leather Bag and carried behind the post Boy after my dear 
Laelius : for we have been so long absent that we have lost 
the pleasure of the summer walkes, and now must pass the 
disagreable time of the Year only amidst our Groves and 
Rivers, for realy winter is aproaching very fast, we sit three 
hours with Candles before supper, the laves lie in heaps under 
our feet. Yet, when by my Laeliuses side, even these naked 
prospects, the unleaved trees, and the snowy ground will 
afford more pleasure than walking amidst verdure and flowers 
without you. Yet, much as I wish your return, I do not 
expect to see you till the latter end of this month, and I 
hope you will bring Lord Boyle also to Caledon. You have 
an occasion to fear the danger of the Sea in so short a passage 
as lies between Dublin and Holly Head, and as I am con- 
fident your company will be more agreable to him than he 
can find anywhere else, so I am sure, during the vacation, 
being near you will prove more to his advantage than any 
other company he can possibly be in. 

Lord and Lady Suffolk have carried poor Hammy into 
the Country to Charleton with them, this was extremely 



244 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

kind, and I have written to return our thanks. Lady Andover 
is breeding, and Lady Suffolk has promissed to attend her in 
London after X-tmass : which will give her a fine opportunity 
of being relased from a Place she so sincerely hates : and 
realy, to love Charleton must shew either a vile taste or the 
uncommon Virtue of patience. 

The Duke of Beaufort desired Lady Suffolk to acquaint 
us that the Dutchess was safely delivered of a Child not likely 
to live, which I imagine signifies a dying Daughter. I wrote 
to congratulate him upon the Dutchesses safety. 

Lucy is perfectly well, my toothach better, Edmund in 
health, our workes going on in a manner that will please you, 
but I will not pretend to describe them. 

I am making the House tight and warm, ready for your 
residance of a long continuance, but as to that, I would not 
have you take any resolution : I shall chearfully stay or goe 
where my leading Star directs at a months warning : your own 
excelant judgement will best determine ; tho' I think you 
may, from partiality to so sweet a Place as Marston and so 
many excelant Friends as you have in England, be excused if 
you transgress the strictest rules of prudence to gratify your- 
self in visiting them ; one year will shew our loss or gain in 
remaining here, be assured I will do all in my power to 
retreive me from former Erors, and to restore your Family to 
the only wanted blessing, an easy Fortune. 

Adieu. I will be contented with one Line every post, 
just to say Lord Boyle and my Dearest Lord are in good 
health, which is the hegth of happyness to your truly AfP and 
Obedient Wife, 

M. ORRERY. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 245 



LADY ORRERY TO LORD ORRERY. 

Caledon, Septr. i-jth, 1746. 

THIS Letter will probably arrive in Dublin exactly one day 
before my Dear Lord, and on Monday I hope you will begin 
your journey towards your Northern Teretorys ; where you 
will find rest from your fatigues, and a heart throughly happy 
in your company and conversation, of which it has been so 
long miserably deprived : but for the future I hope our 
seperations will be short, and a short seperation reasonable 
persons must often expect. may we never meet with that 
long and dreadfull one of death, but lie down at the same 
moment in the same grave to that quiet sleep and wake in the 
same uninterupted Love to uninterupted Life Everlasting. 

The tooth Ach is a pain that alone conquers both my 
Spirits and Patience, but by taking Physick and wraping 
myself warm I soon got rid of that malady, and if my Laelius 
be well, have no complaint of either body or mind. 

The Storm over, I trust blew away your pains ; as to your 
fears of the Gout at this time of the year, I trust in one of my 
great Oracles Dr. Mead, they are not to be apprehended till 
Spring, and then perhaps they may be necessary to purge of 
worse humours and leave the blood refinned like Wine after it 
has undergon formentation. 

I have written to Doctor Barry and entreated him to 
hasten you hither, but in a Coach, as our weather is realy cold, 
and may be wet. his Letter to You gives me sincere joy, as 
I look upon her with the same eyes as if she was my Sister ; 
and to have a Sister disposed of to such a man, so wise, so 
learned and so good, I can be a judge how happy it must make 
her, because I know my own happiness in a Husband equal to 



246 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

him in these particulars. I leave the matter of his writing to 
me wholy to your deliberation, but think that a Letter to me 
will be the best ground for my paving an easy way for his as 
well as my Dr Cousins mutual great falicity. 

To promote these Ladys welfare is what I look upon 
myself as bound too by the Laws of Gratitude, Friendship and 
Relation, their Parents took me, an almost Infant, guarded 
me from the many snares laid for me on all sides, brought 
both myself and fortune to what it is, and, to crown all, 
bestowed me on you. the only manner in which I can repay 
these debts, is by using my utmost means to place these Ladys 
in the only state wherin women can be safe from numberless 
inconveniences : and certainly thus disposed of she must 
possess every happiness her friends can wish. 

1 have yet got no answer whether my Aunt will come 
down with you, but I belive she will take it kindly to be 
Asked. 

Edmund is an excelant Boy, as well as a good spellar, and 
to reward him he begs you will bring him a gun, or if Dublin 
does not afford such a plaything, some other toy, and to reward 
Luli for talking so often of Papa and bloting so much paper to 
him, pray bring her a boy and girl Baby. I am glad my paper 
is so near a period, or I should send for Ginger Bread with 
my name on it and a thousand motherlike triffles. 

The Bishop of Clogher and Mrs. C[l]ayton are at Mr. 
Lowry's and I must make them a visit, and if they stay to- 
morer invite them to Dinner, but I belive they goe away for 
Dublin, where you may just see them if you are in Town on 
Sunday. 

Adieu, I am my D r Lord's truly AfP and Obedient Wife, 

M. ORRERY. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 247 



LADY ORRERY TO LORD ORRERY. 

Caledon, July 13, 1748. 

MY DEAR LORD, I live in the utmost impatience for 
To-morrow's Post in hopes of receiving the joyfull news of 
Mr. Boyle's safe arrival, for till I hear he is safe in your Arms, 
I shall enjoy no perfect peace of mind. God Almighty protect 
him, and grant that he may pass both thro' the dangers of the 
Seas, and all other the Storms, Rocks and Quicksands of this 
life with ease and safety. I wrote to you in much dust and 
dirt last post, but now I write in greater dust than ever ; the 
Wall is falling down into Your Closet, and as the Wind is pretty 
high the lime blows about and fills our eyes, mouths and 
noses ; every thing we eat is lime, all our drink is lime water, 
the vertue of the latter Mr. Stow intends to celebrate in as 
large a Volum as the Bishop does Tar- Water. I entreat you 
to ask whether he perceived our scandal-loving Neighbour's 
disorder arises not from Water of any kind : O I do her 
wrong, for her comforters are in general called by the name of 
Waters. Our Weather still continues bad, cold, wet and 
windy; but we have hopes of better from the change of 
Moon, and Edmund is very busy preparing glasses for the 
Eclipse, but I am much afraid we shall not see the Sun's 
blessed face. Yesterday being the day after the Fair, there 
was little worke done ; red nose Stow absent, John not busy, 
Joans inactive, scarce a man at the Hermitage, of which Place I 
can give no account, for I have not been there since my 
Laelius left his Paradize ; but if the Weather is better this 
afternoon I will make it a Visit, and you shall know on 
Saturday whether the Fair has destroyed all the industry of 
the Weeke. When you are with Dr. Barry I wish you would 



248 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

ask his Oppinion whether that pain you have complained of so 
much in your back be anything of the gravil or only wind. I 
confess I fear the former from your lying so much on Your 
sides, a posture which must heat your Kidneys extremely, and 
as you seldom lie less than twelve hours abed, and the Gout 
you formerly had, I realy apprehend some fixed Gravil 
occasions those pains. I wish if you mention this complaint 
to the Dr., you would ask him whether You might drink Spa 
Water regularly, which tho' it would perhaps give you a slight 
fit of the gout, would relive you from a worse evil. Consider 
my dearest Love, your health above all things, and as you 
have a Physicean who regardes your wellfair entirely, think 
whether taking some slight Remidies from him, may not 
prevent that terrible attendant of Gouty Constitutions the 
Stone ; and as I trust in God Almighty's mercy that you will 
live to Old Age, so I wish that this period of Life may be free 
from pain, and that with Ease, Happiness, Honour and Chear- 
fulness, my Laelius may like Miss Lowry dance to his Grave, 
hand-in-hand with his sincerely Affec 1 and obedient Wife, 

M. ORRERY. 

I beg you will make a visit to poor Aunt Osborn. 



LADY ORRERY TO LORD ORRERY. 

Caledon, July 16, 1748. 

MY dearest Lord's Letter eased my Heart of a vast load 
of care, as I concealed from him the terour every blast of wind 
gave me on dear Mr. Boyle's account : and now it is over, to 
confess the truth I never suffered more uneasiness in my life, 
except when we were at Sea in the packet-boat, when my 
anxiety arose from the same motive, my being the first cause 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 249 

of bringing my dear Lord and his family across that dangerous 
Element. But, as we evidently have found, the Providence of 
Almighty God has blessed us in our children, therefore in that 
mercy let us confide, which will be their best Guide and safest 
Conduct in the perils that attend Land and Water, and tho' 
Storms blow, and tempests threaten, yet His All-saving Hand 
will pluck them from all Danger. Lady Betty went on 
Thursday with Mrs. Maxwell to attend the Wedding which 
was to have been on Friday, when low ! the Bridegroom was 
taken violently ill, and I doubt the marriage is to be for some 
time deffered. I have sent to enquire after his health. 1 
enclose a Letter of consequence of some Law Affair; there 
are no others, but one from Milar's Servant in relation to 
your draught in favour of his master, which is laid up in Pliny 
as it relates to that Worke. My eyes are so much out of 
order by stayring at the Eclipse, which we saw in great per- 
fection, that I shall not fill my paper as usual, but only say 
that I have hired an exceeding (as Joans sais) kitching Gardener 
at 8 pence per day, which is 4/ per week, or if he workes the 
year round 10 a year; not to lie, or diat, or come into the 
house, and if you approve of this bargain it shall continue, for 
realy the other Garden men did nothing, and it was impossible 
for Joans to attend this place and the Hill. Farewell my 
dearest Lord. All are well, and with impatience you are 
expected by your sincerely affec te and obedient Wife, 

M. ORRERY. 

Mr. Close better, but Lady Betty writes me word she 
does not know on what day they will be married. 



250 THE ORRERY PAPERS 



LADY ORRERY TO LORD ORRERY. 

Caledon> July 17, 1748. 

MY DEAR LORD, I received your two Letters : Your 
Study and Closet will be finished, the latter hung with paper 
and shelves in it before you return. The Eclipse we saw at 
Caledon in great perfection : there was seven eights of the 
Sun's body covered but still it remained very light. This 
brings to my mind a story of the Dean of St. Patrick, who 
was mounted on his Steeple to observe that Eclipse in the year 
/i 5. All the Town were assembled likewise into the Streets, 
and many hundreds near him. Swift got a speaking trumpet, 
and making three formal O Yes's proclaimed that the Dean of 
St. Patrick's had adjourned the Eclipse till that sennight, on 
which all the people returned home quietly and lost the Sight. 
Mrs. St. George is the most impertinent of the Molyneux 
family, wants to have her husband without parts or learning a 
Bishop, and because that this scheme has not succeeded, 
declares that She will not breed one of her Six Sons to the 
Church, since men of merit are so little regarded. I protest I 
am jealous of her claims on Your Heart, but hope the lovely 
variety of sundry others may divert your fixing entirely on 
Mrs. St. George's charms, and of consequence restore you 
faithfull to your old Penelope, who is as much beset with the 
noise of Hamers and various Workmen as the Spartan Queen 
was with the noise of her Lovers. I am much obliged to 
Ld Boyle for siting for his picture for me pray order it to be 
hansome and picturesque. I shall be much disapointed if my 
Aunt Hamilton does not come, yet almost despare of her 
undertaking so long a journey. I am in high distress on poor 
Mary Cook's account, she was taken ill of a pluretick fever on 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 251 

Saturday night. Mr. Boyd and Dr. King attend her. She 
has been twice blooded, and is to be blooded again this after- 
noon, tho' Dr. King has but slight hopes of her ; as I value 
her much I am in great concern. The rest of the Family are 
well. The Weather is cold as it is so in Dublin ; I fancy that 
the Judges will either dine or lie here on Tuesday, as Justice 
French goes our Circit. I must therefore goe and put my 
house in some Order ; one Parlour is finished except the Grate. 
I am my dear 1 L d Y r sincerely Aff ct and Obedient Wife, 

M. ORRERY. 



THE SAME TO THE SAME. 

Caledon, July zotA, 174.8. 

I WILL write my dearest Lord as long a Letter as my Time 
will permit, and give Him the History of Yesterday, and this 
Day's Transactions, nay, I will begin with Monday Evening at 
Six O'Clock, at which Houre Dr. Clarke and the Archdeacon 
sent me word they would drink tea with me. I was busy with 
several people and a thousand things : Oh, said I, what shall I 
do ; tell Him for Heaven sake I am gone to the Lodge, get 
tea, get tea, and I will goe to the Archdeacon's and lament my 
missing him. After my tea, away 1 went with Pilkington to 
look out Ash for chairs ; on my return I went to the Hill 
which was making Pepermint Water for my Laelius, saw it all 
going on very well, and went from thence to the Archdeacon's 
where I was told Dr. Clarke had first waited for tea, and 
after that was over, intended to go to the Lodge, but on 
debating the matter judged it to cold and therefore sat down 
before the fire. Well, said he, have you seen the Verses 
written by Mr. I forget his Name O it is Rab on Castle 
Dillon ? No, said I, on which he read them, and has promised 



252 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

me a copy. It seems he has got two kisses from Miss Mina 
and represents the Lady and the Sceane in a merry light. 
Tuesday morning the Archdeacon and Doctor came to Break- 
fast ; He drank Coffee and eat hot Rowls immoderately ; I 
then got him out to the Haymakers and Cascade, but after 
declaring it was too cold and damp, and that upon his troath I 
should kill both myself and those who walked with me, he bid 
me Good-morrow. After his Departure I began to put my 
House in order for the Judges, Mr. Justice French and Mr. 
Justice Ward, whom I had sent Evans to envite with a Letter 
desiring them to come to this House rather than to the Inn ; 
and at four o'Clock Evans returned puffing and important, 
with the News that My Lords the Judges would be 
here at seven o'Clock at farthest. Well before seven 
beds were sheeted, supper ordered and all in order and 
the Judges arrived. We drank tea, Dr. Clark and the Arch- 
deacon were envited to Supper, which came on the Table at 
nine. At the Upper End was boiled Chickings, which as soon 
as Dr. Clark had tasted, he declared upon his conscience that 
the sauce was admirable, how was it made ? Quoth I, you 
shall have the receipt ; he thanked me with a fine bow and as 
fine a smile. Well after Supper the Doctor talked so long 
that the Judges imagined themselves either on the Bench, or 
at Sermon, and began to nod. Quoth I, Dr. Clarke, I fancy 
your Post-Chaise is come, and if it be you shall goe away, for 
you forget that the Judges must goe a journey To-morrow. 
O Heavens that is true, so up he got after being envited to 
breakfast at the Lodge To-morrow morning. Wednesday, 
tho' the Day was bad, resolved I was that they should see my 
Laeliuses charming Works, and into Coaches and Post-Chaises 
we got before nine o'Clock. Dr. Clarke regaled with Chocolate, 
tea, and coffee, and stuffed with hot rols and butter. Mr. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 253 

Warde who is a great improver, and an agreable well-bred man, 
as well as Mr. French were charmed with the Lodge ; com- 
mended the proportions of the Room ; but they declared they 
would not have lost the sight of the Hermitage and Island on 
any Consideration. They were in rapturs, and Mr. Warde 
offered to get for you several rock-work and curious Stones 
from the Sea-coast on which he lives, and that you may com- 
mand all his Garden contains. He has promised to visit us 
in his next Circute, and I belive you will be pleased with his 
Acquaintance. They left me at eleven o' Clock, since which 
time I have had people of business who have only left me time 
to write as fast as I can to my dear Lord, to whom I am a 
sincerely AfP e and obidient Wife, 

M. ORRERY. 

All are well. I hope Mr. Boyle is with you : Lady Betty 
is still at Mrs. Maxwell's. No Wedding yet. 



THE SAME TO THE SAME. 

Caledon, Jamy. Stfi, 1751. 

WEDNESDAY" at least, of our three Weekly Post Days, for 
writing to my Dearest Lord, allows us the greatest leisure to 
chuse our Subjects, and if my neighbour Maxwell be so kind 
as to keep at home, I may in quiet reasume my Pen, and run 
thro' the rest of your most agreable Observations on Dr. 
Swift's writings. 

There is one thing which I wonder it did not strike me 
before, and I much more wonder it escaped your juditious 
eye. It is in your Second Letter wherein you have the 
following words, ' bis Uncle Godwin Swift had fallen into a 
' kind of lethargy or dotage which deprived him by degrees of bis 



254 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

' Speech and memory ; and rendered him totally incapable of being 
' of the least service to bis family and friends' ': a case so similar to 
that of poor Dr. Swift that we might almost immagine there 
was something hereditary in that dreadful disorder which first 
attacked the Uncle then the Nephew, and reduced them both to 
the melancholy state you so well describe in the same Letter, 
that of one of Swift's own Struldbruggs. 

I think (for I am realy not quite certain) I carried my pen 
thro' your Letters to the end of Guliver's Travels, and I 
esteem myself to be now running thro' the i6th Letter. 
Swift's bitterness against the Presbitarians I am confident did 
a great deal of harm in keeping up that Spirit of division 
amongst us, so unworthy in X-tians, and sowing dislike in the 
breast of one honest man to another honest man. This I 
know by myself, till your superior reasoning made me look 
upon all prejudice as unjust, a great folly, and indeed a great 
wickedness. I held both Presbitarian and Roman Chatholick 
in the utmost abhorance. I never considered that not having 
been educated in the same Church made difference only in 
point of faith, but I esteemed Presbitarians not what I know 
many of them are, men of sense, learning, and honesty, but as 
cuning, designing, canting, ignorant hipocrits, and for Roman 
Catholicks, I thought every one of them held a knife at my 
throat, and tho' amongst others of their Principals I must ever 
condem the persecuting Spirit of the latter, yet I have so far 
got the better of these wrong prejudices as to see the merit of 
persons in both these sects, and to pray to God Almighty that 
he will be pleased mercifully to break down the middle wall of 
partition between us. 

The compliment you make to Ireland is extremely Elegant 
and Polite, and you do it great justice in saying it is much 
improved, and as there is room for very great improvement, I 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 255 

hope in eighteen more years, you will see it yet vastly higher 
improved than it has hitherto been. 

Your copy of verses which concludes this Letter, I have 
(even before I knew and loved you) esteemed as one of the 
most compleat commendatory Poems that I have ever read. 

The i yth Letter has in it two of the most glorious Para- 
graphs I have ever read, the first by Swift, the second by 
yourself, both of which I shall insert. That by Swift is as 
follows : ' A Spirit of Liberty is suffused thro all these 

* writings, and that the Author is an enemy to tyranny and 
' oppression in any shape whatever.' 

Your words are these : ' Throughout the course of these 
' Letters I have freely pointed out to you all his Faults, but I 

* beg you to remember that with all those faults he was above 

* corruption, a virtue in itself sufficient to cover a multitude of 
4 human failings, since from that virtue alone can flow prosperity 
' to the commonwealth.' 

The next observation you make is a fine but melancholy 
reflexion that ever since Ambition and the desire of more than 
we possess was introduced into the world, which no doubt was 
very early, it has and ever will be the case in all states, but on 
party matter I had certainly better stop the career of my pen. 
I am apt to speak truth, and I will therefore end this Letter 
with the old Proverb that truth is not to be spoken at all times. 
Yet I cannot help wishing that truth might be as openly 
declared even into the laws of Princes, and that they would be 
as well pleased to hear it as you will be to hear mejsay that I am, 
with great truth, my Dear Lord, your AfFe 1 and Obedient Wife, 

M. ORRERY. 



256 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

LADY ORRERY TO LORD ORRERY. 

Augt. yrd, 1751. 

MY DEAREST LORD, An Affair has given me some un- 
easiness, the Bishop of Bristol has sent for the elder Mrs. 
Gannycliff, and the good old people cannot be deprived of 
both their children together, therefore our Mrs. Gannycliff 
cannot goe with Lucy. She is so well principaled a woman 
that it greives me extremely. Lucy's education I can under- 
take myself in all particulars but in French and writing. 
There is a neice of Lantals who is perfect mistress of French 
by every rule of gramer, and I have ever held it of opinion 
that to learn in any other manner is only time thrown away, 
this girl I belive we might have, but then she is very aquard 
and ignorant of all but the French Language, but perfectly 
good and very ugly. The french women such as Mrs. Dance 
do not speak french correctly, and know nothing of gramar. 
this Girl is humble, and perhaps in a year or two might 
perfect the two Children in french, and if we are to be mostly 
(as I suppose and hope we shall) at Marston, with my care of 
the girl and yours of the boy, I realy think she would do 
better than a finer Madamisell. but before I mention anything 
in this particular to any body else I wait your commands. 

The weather is horrid bad, my head Achs, and these winds 
rumble all over the little body of, my Dearest Lord, your ever 

faithfull, Aff* and Obedient Wife, 

M. ORRERY. 

THE SAME TO THE SAME. 

Augt- 7, I75 1 - 

MY DEAR LORD, The bad weather still continues, and 
realy I do not know what will become of this country if it 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 257 

continues, we have got home all the hay near the river, but it 
wants Sun and fair weather to make it a good dish for the 
King, 1 who is so good to his Lady that he licks her hand and 
eats her bread every night. 

I wish I could write something to entertain you, but alas, 
I am quite without entertaining Subjects, and my poor head is 
so heavy and Achs so much that I am realy quite stupid, not 
that I am sick, but 1 eate too much Rasberrys last night, and 
you know I always pay for transgretions of that soart. besides, 
so many of the Tenants come in and interupt me that I almost 
lose my patience, and after I try to compose their quarels for 
an hour, I am forced to declare if they do not abide by my 
commands, their Cows shall be sent to the Pound. 

Adieu, my Dearest Lord, I must realy lay down my Pen, 
my heart sends to you its most tender Love, and I am ever 
your Affe' and Obedient Wife, 

M. ORRERY. 



THE SAME TO THE SAME. 

C ale don t August iztJt, 1751. 

MY DEAREST LORD, I have been all this morning soart- 
ing out of above a hundred old Shillings and Sixpences which 
were lately found in a Bog : Enclosed the List, and the 
Person to whom they belong will let me have them at a little 
above Value ; if therefore there are any or all of them that 
you would have, they shall be got for you, and sent by the 
first safe hand. They are pretty well preserved, tho' some are 
bad enough, but the Elisabeth Sixpences are realy (I think) 
curious, because I never saw so manny of different dates 
together. Dr. Barry has consented that Lucy shall come to 

1 King Nobby, a favourite horse of Lord Orrery. 
VOL. II. R 



258 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

Caledon, therefore on Friday I trust in God to embrace my 
Children, and could I share their embraces with yours how 
happy should I be : but that we must leave to Heaven's 
All-wise disposition when we shall meet ; and should you ever 
goe abroad as you seem to hint, to that great benefit for so very 
worthy a Son, I resign my principal Happiness, and I should 
pay a bad compliment to him or to you, to preffer my own 
Falicity to his Intrest. And I confess I think a journey 
across the Alps, or at least through France would make him 
compleate. So long I have been soarting Coyns that Dinner 
is on the Table and I must conclude. Ever Your afP e and 
Obedient Wife, 

M. ORRERY. 

Pray make Hughs return me an answer as to Burke's 
enquiry if you have votes in the County of Wexford. And 
what Progress the Gunings have made with Lord Coventry. 

LADY ORRERY TO LORD ORRERY. 

Sept. 18, 1751. 

MY DEAREST LORD, As it is impossible for me to pro- 
ceed in any Business till I receive an answer from you I will 
dedicate this Epistle to idle Tattle, and in the first place say 
we have at last got good weather. The Sun shines, the Day 
is warm, and the Flood gone. It gives me very singular 
Pleasure to learn that Lord Bolingbroke is in a recovering 
way: I beg to hear further particulars of his Wellfair, for 
surely of all Men he is the most thoroly an Honour to 
England ; at least a thousand years hence, the then impartial 
World will allow his merit to its full extent. I belive I repeat 
in this letter what I said before of the Gunings that I realy 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 259 

fancy Lord Coventry will marry Molly. Why not as well 
as a certain Earl l of this Kingdom, intending to have married 
that pretty unhappy girl, whose charms when I saw her lying 
on her deathbed, I thought would have rendered so foolish 
an action excusable, and had she behaved herself with even 
Guning prudence poor Clemency had certainly if not lived, at 
least dyed a Countess. The Bishop of Derry is gone to 
Dublin but not our Road. The Bishop of Clogher is to be 
here next week, to return to Drums and City gaieties. The 
Archdeacon is going to Town in a few Days, and all the 
Clergy of Ireland hastning to pay their Court to His Grace 
of Dorset : how little such Attendance is regarded we may 
guess, but the Consequence we are to ourselves is one of the 
many Nothings which constitutes the Happiness of Life. 
The Poysoning Lady is one of the most melancholy Affairs 
I ever heard of; what can her unhappy Father do (for the 
News papers said he was not dead). Can he prosecute his own 
Child ? Justice demands it at his hands, but parental affection 
would almost wish her medicine had taken effect and that he 
had been past hearing her shame or feeling her unkindness. 
My pen is very bad, my paper almost at an end, and I shall 
only further say, Lucy and Edmund are well, just gone to 
ride, and I shall follow them as soon as I have convayed my 
best affections to Mr. Boyle and subscribed myself my dearest 
Lord's ever affec te and obedient Wife, 

M. ORRERY. 

THE SAME TO THE SAME. 

Sept. 2ist, 1751. 

MY DEAREST LORD, I received three Letters from 
Hughs last Thursday with the account of your being in good 

1 Presumably the Earl of Anglesey. 



260 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

health, which ever makes me happy, for, distant as we are, 
and perhaps may be for some time, my whole falicity depends 
upon the wellfair of my Dr Lord, and it makes me happy 
to find you diverted with the Tibbalds, Cowbridges, and 
Robinghood disputations, but I shall long to know how 
Cowbridge maintained the dignity of an Orator, and what 
soart of Place and persons the Club consistes of, for here we 
are quite ignorant of this matter. 

I have no affairs of moment to treat of, and may proceed 
to say his Grace of Dorset is landed at Dublin from Holly- 
head, he has outstriped his Dutchess by coming thro' Wales. 
I am amaized her Grace did not chuse a longer land journey 
and a shorter sea voyage, considering the eminent danger she 
was in formerly in the Irish Seas. 

The Bishops and all the Clergy are going to Dublin to 
offer up adoration to his Grace, in my walkes I see Coaches, 
Chaises, and horsemen crossing the bridge of Caledon, who 
goes there ? say I. the constant reply is, the Bishop or Dean 
or Archdeacon, or Doctor going to Dublin, and on Tuesday 
for this purpose Clogher etc., are to be here, that day I am 
to bid adieu to Edmund and my poor Gannycliff. she is a 
worthy girl, and it gives me real concern that she cannot 
continue about Lucy, but Mrs. Fox, Mr. Latuals neice, has 
an excelant Character from Miss Copes where she lived some 
time, and appears a modest good girl and understands French 
extremely well by rules of gramer, which few women do that 
are about young Ladys. 

I suppose Dick Boyle is before this time returned from Lord 
Burlingtons, and that you have seen him, pray let me know 
whether you have yet seen Harry Boyle, who I suppose is reserved 
beyond measure betwen the Spaniard and the Boyle, but, like 
the Boyle and Spaniard, amiable and agreable when acquainted. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 261 

I shall long to hear with what success Mossop has been 
received by the Town, and on what terms Garrick has engaged 
him. pray let Hughs acquaint me with these particulars, and 
with the fate of Guning, for I will only impose answers of 
business to the hands of my Dearest Lord, to whom I am 
ever an Affectionat and Obedient Wife, 

M. ORRERY. 



LADY ORRERY TO LORD ORRERY. 

Caledon, Sept. 3o///, 1751. 

MY DEAR LORD, Before Bowen left London, he delivered 
a Watch, packed up and directed to be forwarded to me 
by Mr. Wallis ; this he left with Hughs, who I wonder 
much did not send it, as he does not often omit such things ; 
I therefore desire it may be sent by the first Opportunity, 
directed to Marlow to be forwarded to me. You must expect 
a very dull Letter, as I am very sick with eating too many 
Bergamit Pears, and drinking Asses milk : but living a day 
or two on Chicking Broth, and abstaining from my dear Pears 
will make me well again. I must now give you an account 
of Edmund's Philosophy. While he was here, Mr. Close 
and Mr. Maxwell both brought their Hounds, two or three 
times to hunt, and I remember'd how Ld Boyle was permited 
to take the same Divertion at Edmund's age ; besides I have 
always observed that being restrained in anything innocent 
in itself enclines Mankind to grow extremely fond of that 
prohibited pleasure. Therefore I suffered him to hunt, and 
the last hunting morning, when he returned home realy 
delighted with his sport, told him that to Town he must goe 
the next morning, wh. I had conceal'd from him for fear it 
should trouble him, but that I was sure he would preffer being 



262 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

a good Scholar above all things, that at Westm' there never 
was allowed more Hollydays at Bartlemy tide than he had 
had, and we must keep strictly to Westm r Rules. He said 
he was very satisfied since it was your, and my pleasure, 
then left me, and desired Mrs. Fox to goe into the Garden 
and dig with him, for, said he, I will endeavour to divert 
myself that I may behave like a man, but do not tell Lucy for 
she will cry, and then I shall not be able to keep from crying. 
Thus he behaved like a little Heroe, till the next morning 
when he complained that his eyes were sore and apt to water, 
he whistled and sang at the same time tears stole silently down 
his cheeks, but Miss Barry writes me word they had a merry 
journey, and he was extremely well last Saturday. Lucy is 
very good reads french as well as English, tho' she does 
not understand what she sais ; but that will come in time ; 
she pronounces perfectly well and is very quick in all kinds 
of learning. Thus have I given you quite a nursery tale, 
but consider I am sick and obliged to sit by the fire with a 
cup of chicking broth before me. Nat Barry is gone to Dick 
Boyle who is at Bristol very far from well, for which I am 
much concerned both on the Speaker's and on his own 
Account. I find the Dutchess of Bolton is dead will the 
D. marry Polly Peachum? I hear Miss Butler is certainly 
marry 'd to Jack St. Leger. Were ever the two children of 
two Mothers better matched ! I am to my dearest Lord ever 
an affec te and obedient Wife, 

M. ORRERY. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 263 



LADY ORRERY TO LORD ORRERY. 

Cole Jon, Oct. yd, 1751. 

I AM much better this Day, my dear Lord, by having staid 
quiet at home, taken Rhubarb, as I eat only Chicking Broth, 
and am again beginning my Course of Asses milk, which I 
shall take constantly to render me strong for the Winter, 
because I now percieve the aproaches of Age by a thousand 
Signs, and am so honest as to confess a Woman just forty, 
is not so able to walk, to ride or to bear fatigue as at five- 
and-twenty. I confess these particulars give me more Sorrow 
to part with, than any other advantage of Youth, for my mind 
is active, and my body would gladly follow my mind in all 
the fatigues it used to undergo at twenty, when I used to rise 
at break of Day, read and worke till the Sun had warmed the 
Air, then ride a lively trotter seven or eight miles, and on my 
return home find my good old Aunt and Uncle, as Ld Boyle 
would now find us, at nine o'clock breakfast, wakened not so 
refreshed as formerly I used to be at five. But as the old 
Proverb saith, we had our Time, and now the Young will 
have theirs. We shall some years hence fall into a profound 
Sleep, and waken again Young never to grow Old ; You will 
have no Gout, I no weak Stomach, we shall fly unemcumbered 
with these loaded Bodys, on wings from one Hill of Joy to 
another. It will be very delightful surely to be able to 
transport ourselves in a moment (for I wave all better and 
more sublime thoughts of another World) and fancy shall 
only carry me to visit the Stars ; as we shall have been once 
purified by fire, no doubt our then Bodys will be incapable 
of being burned, of consequence we may goe up to the Sun 
without being even put into a Swet by its beams ; we may 



264 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

drive thro' the Seas without being wet, but may make friend- 
ships with the Angels of Venus, and envite them to pass 
some time on the Earth. In short we should be more happy 
than Adam in Paradise, and yet we are strangely loath to fall 
into the Sleep which must bring us to the Glorious Waking, 
and we are by very great Trifles tempted to act in such a 
manner as, when we fall into this long Sleep, to wish never to 
waken again. But I must break off to tell you a thing I heard 
last Night. Plunket the Highwayman who was at Glasslough 
and in the Co: of Monaghan all last Winter, boasted that he 
was the person who cut your Portmanteau from behind your 
Post Chaise, as he drank in one of the Publick House 
of Glaslough. 1 He is now it is said Out of the Kingdom, and 
in all probability, if returned to England, will be pursuing 
his trade as he calls it, following his Friend Mr. Clane up 
Tyburn Road. Lucy presents her Duty ; she has Ballendine's 
instruction in Writing and Accounts since poor Gannycliffe's 
departure. I am, my dear Lord, ever Your Affec te and 

obedient Wife, 

M. ORRERY. 

LADY ORRERY TO LORD ORRERY. 

Caledon, Oct. 9, 1751. 

MY DEAREST LORD, I will now endeavour to fill a whole 
sheet of Paper but alas ! what Materials have I for even one 
Page, nothing but endless Love and Sentiments full of Affec- 
tion, which can alone be aqueled by your own, and every time 
you think on me, imagine I am thinking on you exactly with 
the same Tenderness. This is a charming Day, and last Night 
the first we passed without rain ; but we had a very smart 

1 Glaslough, ' Greenlake ' in English. GUu being the Vernacular for green, as 
Knock is for hill. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 265 

Frost, which appears too visibly on the poor Beech Trees who 
have changed their green for golden Heads ; the Oaks too, 
like a Beauty in decay who begins to get a few grey hairs, have 
a good many brown leaves mingled with their native colour, 
and winter comes on apace. Mr. Burnet however has almost 
convinced me that in less than three hundred Years this Earth 
is to have a Renovation, and that the Saints are to reign here 
a thousand Years ; but then I doubt neither You nor I shall 
be of this glorious Tribe, for I hope we shall not be Martyrs, 
and I am sure we are not Saints, therefore we must be con- 
tented to lie in our Graves about twelve hundred Years before 
our little Bodys and Souls meet again, and if my Soul be but 
permitted to wait on your Soul in the next World, I shall be 
very well contented without its joyneing my Body. But now 
laying Body and Soul apart I must begin to talk on your 
Worke which is so soon to appear, tho' I must first ramble a 
little more : yet only for a moment, just to say in the General 
Conflagration, I shall only lament all books being burned. 
Homer, Plato, Milton, Virgil, Sheakspere, Orrery all must 
goe. Indeed I am very sorry, for I think they are worthy to 
be the Studys of even glorified Spirits, because their Senti- 
ments are noble, good, generous and virtious. The Title you 
give the Book I have never heard, and of consequence cannot 
speake of it to you with propriety, but be it what it will, let me 
know either thro* Yourself or Hughs, whether You will not 
send me some Setts bound as the last, to give amongst our 
mutual Friends ; I would also beg a sett or two of the second 
edition of your Pliny. Mr. Moore is come down for two or 
three days to his Father who is to sign some papers, and I 
think I had better send you by him those various Elizabeth 
coyns, as I never saw so great a variety in my Life, and realy 
pretty plaine. If you have the same you may oblige some 



266 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

other person by giving them your Duplicates, and they in 
return will send you some others you may want of the same 
kind, verifying the words, ' give and it shall be given.' 

Lucy is just returned from riding, and desires her Duty to 
her Papa. I am, my dear Lord, ever y r very aff tc and obedient 

Wife, 

M. ORRERY. 

LADY ORRERY TO LORD ORRERY. 

Caledon, Oct. 16, 1751. 

THE only News I can send my dear Lord this Day is that 
Mrs. Bannerman, wife of Mr. Geo. B n of Armagh, was last 
Night safely delivered of a Son and Heir at Mrs. Pringle's at 
Caledon, to the great joy of all that Family, and that on 
Monday Night George Purey, one of your Tenants, by main 
force and violence ran away with a most beautifull young 
Damisel, as she was returning from Caledon Fair, and I have 
sent the trusty Jack with my Authority, to assure him if he 
does not restore the Maid, I will prosecute him as far as the 
Law will goe. He has these two days carried her like a Sack 
of Corn from one cupple-Beggar 1 to another, but the valiant 
Maid still persists in refusing ; he now has carried her to a 
place where all things are to be dreaded, Longford's Grin near 
Clogher, but if Jack gets time enough to her before she has 
given a fatal consent, I hope to recover this fair Helena, as I 
did her sister some years agoe. Yesterday was a charming Day; 
this is not so fine, but it is fair tho' cold, and till these last 
eight or ten days, we realy had so bad a Season that we were 
in great apprehension of almost all the poor people's Harvist 
being lost and spoiled ; and as it is I fear, before this time 
twelvemonth they will suffer extremely, both in their own 

1 The cant name for needy clergymen willing to perform hurried marriages without 
licence, etc. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 267 

provision and that of their Cattle ; both will be forced to eat 
unwholesome food, and of consequence both will be liable to 
unwholesome disorders. The Plague rages at Constantinople, 
God Almighty keep it from spreading in Europe ; the same 
Malady still continues among the horned Cattle, and young 
Mr. Moore told me that he never was so much surprised in 
His Life, as in traveling thro' Yorkshire, and those parts 
of England which used to be covered with black Cattle, that 
you now scarce see a beast. All the Land Wast. You 
cannot imagine how agreable my solitary Life is both to me 
and to Lucy ; and I confess what others call dull, I shoud 
preffer to all Company in the World except Yours. You 
shall hear the manner in which we pass our time : We rise 
about nine, breakfast, and then Lucy performs the part of our 
Chaplin and reads Prayers ; her French and writing employ 
her while I write Letters ; we then either walk or she rides, 
or we goe to the Island till Dinner ; then we walk again if the 
Day be fair, and when it grows dark we read, worke, play till 
tea-time, then read, worke and play till nine, then she reads 
Prayers again. Lucy goes supperless to bed, and I read her 
to sleep ; at twelve I silently follow her to bed, where in 
Dreams I always meet my dearest Lord, to whom, sleeping or 
waking, I ever remain a very affec te , faithfull and obedient Wife, 

M. ORRERY. 
THE SAME TO THE SAME. 

Caledon, November 6th, 1751. 

ENCLOSED, my dearest Lord, you will receive two Letters, 
either to burn or to forward, when you have read, franked 
and sealed them, and considered my motive for writing them, 
which is as follows : Last Post I received a Letter from Lady 
Suffolk, very kind, but saying tho* she laughed at the follow- 



268 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

ing Report, she thought it her Duty to ask me the Truth, that 
she might the better contradict that Ton and 1 were parted. I 
gave her the most sollem Assurance that so far from that, we 
have ever lived together in Love and Freindship, and that we 
had but one Heart, one Soul, one Will. But as such 
maliticous Scandel must probably have come to the ears of 
your other Freinds, I wrote these two Letters, which I enclose, 
for you to do with them as you please. I was in hopes tattle 
and lies had been confined to Dublin, but to my Astonishment 
find that you are only mentioned there with the highest 
Encomiums due to your Merit ; and I mentioned as a very 
happy Woman in haveing the Honour to be your Wife ; and 
our mutual Affection, and the Affection are ever mentioned 
as our principal Happiness. As long as it is so in reality 
let us not regard the Malice of envious People ; it is a tribute 
Merit must pay to little minds ; Pliny has made you known, 
your Fame rises hourly, Envy must try to give some uneasy 
moments to make some balance. But let us not regard them ; 
let us when Marston is ready, the Sea smooth, the Roads 
better, and the days longer than at present, meet with such 
perfect Love as must make pale Envy still more, and at Mar- 
ston bury ourselves so close as even ill-nature can not be a 
Spectator of our Happiness. I trust in God this will not vex 
you, tho' I fancy you have heard the Report before ; for my 
part it shall not disturb my quiet, as I know your Heart and 
myne most sincerely joyned in all respects. Lucy is well, I 
will not let her answer her dear Papa's Letter, as she writes 
from Coper-Plate, and writing from bad copys of Ballandine 
may spoill her Hand. I am, my dearest Lord, in spight of 
Malice, Envy and the Devil, ever Your most beloved, and 
most loving and faithfull Wife, 

M. ORRERY. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 269 



LADY ORRERY TO LORD ORRERY. 

Caledon, No<v. nt/i, 1751. 

MY DEAREST LORD, Yesterday I had at Dinner with 
me Shand, Ballindine, the Fat Widow Pringle, and Mr. 
Ambrose and his Lady Fair ; we had some excelant Scotch 
mutton, a side of venison, sent me by our gratefull Friend 
Stewart, and some Woodcocks, Ducks, etc., of Truss Brown's 
killing, who is now your game keeper, while all tongues 
were silent, all teeth engaged, we heard, to our great surprize, 
a huge trampling of horses. I thought the King was coming 
with his whole Court from Orrery hill to eat some Apple Pye. 
but in -this first thought I was doubtfull, because my ears were 
struck with a great gingling, such as I have not heard since 
Old Thomond and his Chariot quited this world for the next, 
I will not say for a better or a worse. At length six Horses 
aproached, which, had they worn Horns, I should have taken 
for the time of Pharoah, and slowly followed the ringing 
veiacle, a Chariot for sure (as old Marquis De M used 

to say), the twin brother of that of Thomonds. We staired. 
Ambrose, Shand, and Fat Pringle toddled to the side Table 
where sat before Mrs. Fox. Bell and Ellin Maxwell followed, 
but the great Ballindine kept his Post. At length entered the 
law-loving Dame, Madam Mervan, accompanyed by Mrs. 
Keans, a scorbutick fat Lady and the Daughter of the former 
Miss Edwards, a great Fortune that ought to be, but so 
entangled in Lawsuits that without she marrys Billy Goolde, 
she will only have her Beauty to trust to, and indeed that is 
singular, for she resembles in her face a Turkey which the 
Cats had knawed. We rose up and kissed them, sat down and 
ate and drank, and as soon as dinner was over these three 



270 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

Ladys packed into their ringing equpage and set forward to 
Armage, where they are to leave this tender Nymph, to set 
forward in the Stage to-morrow for Dublin to seek a husband, 
and the Mother and fat Friend return to Augher, I hope 
not at our time of dining, for, had not Stewart sent me 
veneson, we should have been most comfortably set in your 
dressing room (where we live) on some Chicking and Mutton, 
the only thing either my young Ladys or I ever tast. o yess, 
I beg the good Beef of Old England's pardon, we eat 
England's rost Beef, and what should I have done with these 
People. But thank Heaven, they are gon, and this adventure 
has served to fill almost a Letter, which will answer my end by 
making my Dear Lord smile. 

On Saturday I received a Book you sent me by Mr. Leslie. 
I read it all that night, and am sure, by the stile it is written 
in, poor old Doctor Mead is a most exceeding good and virtous 
Man, let his enemies say what they please to the contrary. I 
immagine by your Name written in it, that it is you I am to 
thanke for it, not Dr. Mead or Dr. Stack. 

It is now past twelve o'Clock, and the Letters are not 
come in ; if they bring anything material I shall add a 
suppliment to this, if not, let me here conclude, my Dearest 
Lord, your very affectionate and obedient Wife, 

M. ORRERY. 

Lucy is very well. Mrs. Fox has had the Chicking Pox, 
of consequence all the last week has been Holydays to Lucy 
from French, but this weeke she hopes to make up loss of 
time by hard study, but she must not write, which greives her, 
as she cannot answer your Letter. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 271 



LADY ORRERY TO LORD ORRERY. 

Caledon, Nov. 16, 1751. 

MY DEAREST LORD, I recived a short letter from you 
last Post which made me easy. . . . With your short Letter 
came two long ones from Hughes which I will answer next 
Post, and for this one, only say a few Words, for the Letters 
came in this morning, just after I had drank my Spa Water, 
and I think the Joy they gave me at hearing the great Aplause 
your two Workes have met with, made the Spa fly into my 
Head so violently that I am giddy as one at Sea. I shall only 
say I received your long Letter and shall duly answer Parts in 
it. First that Mr. Dopping has had a relapse, I doubt it will 
encrease as the Moon grows towards the full. Lord have 
mercy upon him for his Family's sake, and either recover him 
or take him out of this World. I long beyond all Things for 
Swift's Life and hope to have it next week. Who is Miss 
Blandy's Capt. C n? I hope she will find no Favour. I 
have some Dublin Ticketts ; Lucy and Edmund one each, 
and am resigned if it please God to send all Blanks. I am 
sorry your Eyes have been ill ; bathe them 3 or 4 times a 
day in plain cold Water if you could dip your Face as I do, 
you would find prodigious benefit. 1 sent Mr. Boyle's shirts 
and hope by this time he has got them, but all our affairs are 
tedious, yet at last I trust God Almighty will make them 
prosperous. If you have not given one of your New Workes 
to the D. of Dorset, shall Edmund wait on him with one, when 
those you are sending me arrive ? and one to Ld George ? * 
I wish you would send a list to whom I shall give them here. 
I will send you truly my Opinion of all Your Swift contains of 

1 Lord George Sackville, son of the Duke of Dorset. 



272 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

Beauties, when I see it, for which 1 am impatient. Edmund 
told you no Doubt, the reception he met with at the D. of 
Dorret, I had only an Account that he had been there, but 
belive he is much delighted. If that wretched Serving- 
Woman was first seduced by Dopping, and has been his and 
only his, I think his Family should maintain her, and if she 
apply'd to Dr. Barry, I realy believe he would advise them so 
to do. Had I been so unfortunate as to have married a Rake, 
I should have looked upon myself as obliged to have provided 
for any Woman by him undon, if he would not, as she might 
live in an honest way. Nay, I should think myself bound to 
do so for his, or my own, Sons, to maintain and keep a Wretch 
from Infamy, and their children in the same manner, and 
surely a Sister is bound to do the same thing. I thought to 
have written only a line and have gone on thus far, but almost 
fear you will be unable to read the giddy writing of my dear 
Lord Your ever affec te and obedient Wife, 

M. ORRERY. 

LADY ORRERY TO LORD ORRERY. 

Caledon, Novbr. 20, 1751. 

I HAVE, my Dear Lord, gon thro' your Remarks on the 
Life and Writings of Dr. Swift with most extreme delight, 
but I must say I rid post thro' this Book and have not yet 
had leisure to admire its several beautys. I will read it 
again and again, with my pen in my hand, and point out 
those places which strike my immagination the most sensibly. 

The mention of your Father is much to his honour ; 
and as the Worke is in the Familer Epistolary way, 
comes in with great propriety. The cruel dart thrown at 
you has been averted by a heavenly hand, and certainly 
this stroke has been benefitial to the world, by being the 




W. 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 273 

occasion which forced your modest and reserved nature to 
shew the world that tho' a Library was left from you, Books 
had ever been your favourite amusement, that you both had 
and could make use of Books. And I think I can justify 
your Father by a Line from your own Pliny : 

* If they excite me to a closer persuit of my Studys, they do well.' 

Your Paternal tenderness to your two Sons is extremely 
effecting ; they indeed both merit all the Affection a Father 
can bestow upon these two excelant young men, and I trust 
in God Almighty's goodness and Mercy to us both, that 
they will not only continue to repay you back every action 
of Love and Duty, as they have hitherto done, but answer 
your utmost expectations in making shining figures in their 
Country, and answer my expectations in treading exactly 
in your Steps both in their persuit of Learning and Know- 
ledge, and in all the Social Dutys of Life as the best of 
Husbands, Parents and Friends. 

Your conjecture in regard to Horace and Virgil I should 
have relished extremely had you not thrown in so much 
Latin, but your compliment to Barry is both kind and 
genteel, and realy what he merits in every particular. But 
I cannot pardon you as to my Elizabeth, and as this was a 
constant topick on which I endeavoured to bring you over 
to my opinion, that she had no fault but disimulation, I 
must rather Pray than hope for your conversion. Surely 
you might have paid some compliments to the Manes of my 
Plantaginets, my Edwards and my Henrys, nor should you 
in that Letter have omited mentioning Trajan, and the 
present King of Prusia. The only two Crowned heads 
(except my Elizabeth) who appear to have bent their whole 
mind to make their People happy. I wish you would add 

VOL. II. S 



274 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

something of this kind to your second Edition. You see 
I do not presume to advise, I only wish. 

Thus have I hurryed thro your new performance ; and 
I shall now congratulate you on the great success your 
writings have received from the Publick. And tho we are 
scarce alowed to be fond of fame for ourselves, we may be 
permited to be delighted with the aplause given to our 
Husbands and Friends. And I must add that, as your 
Fame encreases, I am the more desirous to have our tedious 
business finished on this side the water, that when I have 
executed the material affairs you have committed to my care 
in Ireland, I may have the pleasure of placing on your head 
the crown of laurel you so well deserve, and in person by 
every act of Duty and Love, testifying how much I am, my 
dearest Lord, your very affectionat and obedient wife, 

M. ORRERY. 

As this is the eve of our son Edmund's birth, I must 
congratulate you on his entering into his tenth year, and add 
my wishes to Heaven that he may prove as valuable a Son 
to you as his two Brothers. Lucy is very well. 

LADY ORRERY TO LORD ORRERY. 

Caledon, Nov. ^otA, 1751. 

THIS day I received three Letters from my Dearest Lord 
and three from Hughs, all most acceptable to me, because 
you appear to be in good health and spirits, in the first 
place, which is the principal concern of my life, and in the 
second place because they bring me accounts of your encreas- 
ing Fame, which is the next dearest consideration of my 
Life. I always was convinced you only wanted to be known 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 275 

to be admired as a writer, and would you but open your 
mouth in the house of Lords you would be admired as an 
Orator as much as you have been as an Author. I do not 
wish you to go the furious lengths of Party, nor to set up for 
a high Patriot ; I only wish you to speak in the debates with 
the strength and energy you are Master off in your usual 
humain manner without bitterness against King and Ministers 
of State, but like a truly honest man, for the service of your 
Country. This is your time, the Fame you have got already 
will make all the Ears attentive to hear you. for God's sake 
do not let slip an opportunity which so fairly offers. Fortune 
often throws in our way these lucky occasions to some to 
encrease their Wealth, but that to you heaven appears to 
deney : to others to raise their Characters, this appears to be 
your portion. Take therefore this portion, which will be 
more durable than even had the blind goddess losed into 
your lap the ten thousand Prize : and as the Session of 
Parliament is just began, open those Lips on which Elo- 
quence dwells and be no more dumb. Your Pliny spoke even 
in worse times than we have ever yet known. He began to 
plead for his Country in the reign of a Domitian, he rose to 
the dignitys he merited in the reign of a Trajan. Speak then 
in the present times (such as they are) and goe on in your 
Countrys service, tho I am sure we shall never see a Trajan. 

Millar's second Edition of Rem. &c. I this day received, 
the letter is very neat, the head piece of Swift very soft ; who 
graved it ? I like it better than Falkners. I have not had 
my Book in my possession one moment since I wrote last to 
goe through the Letters with my Pen in my hand. I wish 
earnestly you would mention those to whome I shall send 
those you have sent to me. One for myself and eight for 
other Persons. I will write to Millar when I get an answer 



276 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

from Falkner to a Letter I this day wrote to him. Falkner 
informs me never Book sold so well that he printed, nor 
never Book was so much commended and approved of in 
Dublin. 

Mr. Moore, I belive is by this time gon to England, 
and Mr. Boyle's shirts. I shall carry him with my own hands 
some table Linnen, and must wait till I goe to Dublin to 
chuse Mrs. Garrick's Delph. 

My Health is as usual, all well but my Stomach, which, 
by only eating quite plain meat is not worse than it has been 
for these twenty years past, sometimes it is so much out of 
order as to give me violent headachs, but not more than 
formerly, and I belive it will hold out till fourscore ; since 
it has not killed me at forty. 

Edmund deserves all you can say of him. Lucy is not 
behind him in merit. She reads French as well and fast as 
a French woman, and will soon understand it. The Duke 
of Dorset had company with him when Edmund was with 
him, his visit was therefore short, he asked him but a few 
questions and hoped soon to see him again. My Letter is so 
full I have scarse room to subscribe myself, my dearest 
Lord, your very Aff 1 and Obedient Wife, 

M. ORRERY. 

I wish you good success, but fear your Ticketts will 
appear Blank. 

LADY ORRERY TO LORD ORRERY. 

C ale don, Decbr. -jth t 1751. 

MY DEAR LORD, The 5th Letter begins with Swift's 
return to Ireland in 1713, the avertion of the Chapter of 
St. Patricks to him, and of the whole body of the people 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 277 

of Dublin, but here we find the exact same instance of 
popular avertion and applause given to Swift, that we have 
since beheld given to persons who as your Letter ends, are 
too near our own times to speake off with truth. But I 
may say that as the Affection of the people of Ireland to 
Swift was founded on reason, so the avertion of England and 
Ireland to their former Idol has as solid a foundation. 

We come in the sixth Letter to examine his workes, we 
have buried a good English Queen, who certainly r intended 
the Wellfair of England, and had her head been blessed 
like her predecessor Elizabeth with a through desernment 
of Mankind, she would have made as great a figure as 
ever prince did who filled the English Throne. The glory 
and advantage of England and England alone, was her sole 
view. But Favourite Ladys, Treasurers, and Generals pre 
vented the blessings which would have flowed from so 
excelant an English Heart on an English People. And 
therefore here we must leave the good Queen Ann, whoes 
character will rise some ages hence, when this and the next 
generation are no more. They shall then judge as impartialy 
of this excelant Queen as we do of our Edwards and Henrys. 

Your critical observations on his writings, which begin 
in this sixth Epistle, are most pleasing and instructive, they 
have no fault but that they are too short. for here the 
observations are so just, and the stile so harmonious, that 
it is impossible not to be angry with you every Letter you 
end, only because you have ended, and yet I think no Pen 
but your own could add another word to what you have 
said on each Subject. 

The great regularity of his Life, constantly measured by 
his Watch, plainly shewed his mind to be uneasy, and I 
doubt he said with the Isralites, in the evening would God it 



278 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

were morning, and in the morning would God it were Evening, 
for certainly those that are at ease will sometimes say what 
have we to do with Hours, and tho there is a great fault in 
forgeting time and regularity too much, and in hurrying life 
away, yet an agreable forgetfullness sometimes can be no 
fault, and I belive no happy person is ever without this un- 
bending of the Soul. 

The second Volum of Swift's Workes is certainly the 
most amusing of all his Workes. his compliments to Stella 
very pleasing and testify his affection to her. but his Poem 
to Vanessa the most perfect in its kind that I have ever 
read, and merits all you have said in its commendation. Tho' 
Vanessa was very unfortunate, she does not stir up one senti- 
ment of Pity for her hard fate in our breast, whereas no Eye 
can read the misfortunes of Stella without a tear. 

Your observation that tho' he sometimes appears indescent 
yet there is much wisdom in even his dirty Dressing Room, 
is certainly right, and I make no doubt has been of service 
to many a fair Lady, and as all women wish to be thought 
Goddesses, why should we take it ill to see what is desagre- 
able set in so strong and striking light as may make us 
avoid it. And thus I will finish my remarks upon your 
eight Letter, and as nothing has happened worth your 
attention in or about Caledon I need only add we are well, 
and that I am, my Dearest Lord, your very AfFectionat and 

Obedient Wife, 

M. ORRERY. 

LADY ORRERY TO LORD ORRERY. 

Dec. f)th, 1751. 

MY DEAREST LORD, Enclosed I send you a most obliging 
Letter from the Dutches s of Beaufort in answer to that you 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 279 

transmited to her. Alas ! what a miserable Life does the 
Duke of Beaufort lead, to be continualy tortured with the 
Gout not in the least of his own acquisition : surely Parents 
would leave their Children even vastly prefferable blessings to 
honours and riches, to transmit to them sound constitutions, 
for how can this poor Duke enjoy all his opulence in pain ? I 
am realy greived every time I think how much he suffers, and 
that these sufferings will in all probability be transmited down 
to his posterity. I think it would be a good rule for every 
third or forth generation of a great family, to marry, like the 
De-Coverlys, Maud the Milkmaid, in hopes of restoring good 
flesh and blood instead of great flesh and blood in their 
famelys. 

I will not touch on Swift this day, only to say the papers 
Hughs sent me gave me great pleasure, except in the severity 
against marriage, and I could instance a thousand great men 
married, for those who died Batchelors. and all who were not 
wived were oppressed by a domineering Misstress, ten times 
worse than a Wife. 

It will be well for the c and w if Prince William 

recovers. I have made some reflections on his illness which, 
if I had many children, would keep me from being partial to 
one, and otherwise to my eldest Son. 

Hughs sais there were four Irish Packetts due, which was 
perhaps the reason I did not get a grant of Edmund's company 
for the X-tmass Holy days, but I have taken the liberty to 
send for him. I think I may say, being confident, since I am 
at a distance from my principal happiness your company, that 
you will permit me to have this second blessing, the company 
of my Boy. Particularly as he loses no time while he is with 
me, for Mrs. Fox does not let him omit one french lesson, nor 
Mrs. Gannycliff (who comes with him for his idle time) one 



28o THE ORRERY PAPERS 

English, the Country does his health service, and he returns 
to school perfectly contented, therefore as I before said, I 
ventured to send for him, and on Friday I shall meet him at 
Armagh. 

All are well, the weather mending. I hope Mr. Boyle has 
got his shirts. I am, my Dearest Lord, your very AfP and 

obedient Wife, 

M. ORRERY. 

LADY ORRERY TO LORD ORRERY. 

Caledon, Dec. ioth, 1751. 

My DEAR LORD, At length I have got again into my 
possession your Remarks &c., and am just going to give them 
a carefull reading. I begin on Sunday Evening, and have 
sent Lucy and all the house to play while I examined with 
great delight this work which has charmed every person who 
has read this Book. 

The beginning of the first Letter, which we may call the 
introductory occasion of your publishing the Book, contains 
a high proof of Paternal affection, you had publickly testified 
your tenderness and care in forming Lord Boyle on the Plan 
of an Illustrious Antient : you point out to your no less 
deserving Son Hamilton, many things which must contribute 
to his improvement even from the faults of Dr. Swift, particu- 
larly one most usefull Lesson, tho' you do not exatly lay a 
stress theron, but leave your Son like the Bee, to colect Hony 
from the Flowers you lay before him. what I mean is this, 
that Swiff's views were checked in his younger years, and the 
anxiety of that disapointment had a visible effect upon all his 
actions. What proper observations both your Sons may draw 
from this, as they are both just entering upon the Theatre 
of this world, yourself suffered by early disappointment 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 281 

both in your Health and Fortune, you suffered severly for 
the Disappointments your Father had undergon, and indeed 
there are few minds have Philosophy sufficient to bear frequent 
disappointments, even tho' we draw them upon ourselves by 
wrong placed ambition or any other motive ; we cannot receive 
without being visibly chagreaned in our tempers, therefore 
no doubt young persons cannot be too often cautioned to get 
the better of this child of Pride, and submiting to the will of 
Almighty God (from whome all things immedeatly proceed) 
with chearfullness and resignation, which may be so pleasing in 
the sight of God as to send a blessing infinitely more for our 
happiness than the particular thing would have been on which 
we had so strongly fixed our inclinations. 

The latter Part of this first Letter contains an entertaining 
Naritive of Dr. Swift's Birth and Education, which is much to 
be commended for the short manner in which so dry a subject 
is comprehended, as well as the agreable manner in which it is 
told. 

In the second Letter, what you have said on Stella is so 
full, that I cannot even make one observation, but only drop a 
Tear on the Ashes of so valuable a woman so cruely treated. 
Yet I must mention one reflection, which, tho' it occurs to a 
Mother, will not these twenty years enter into Mr. Boyle's 
head. That it is a dangerous thing for a young man to 
converse much with a young woman of Beauty, Sense or 
merit, if she be not a proper and sensible wife for them in 
all particulars, for it generaly ends in mutual Love, often in a 
foolish marriage, and always in repentance. 

The third Letter is a lively description of Dr. Swift's 
desapointments during the reign of King William. I do not 
wonder that a Duch Prince should not distinguish the merit 
and wit of an English man, sufficiently as to provide for him 



282 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

on that account. But that a King should break his word, 
ought to surprize everybody, yet Swift was used to breach of 
Royal words from William, down to the promise of the 
medals. 

The fourth Letter opens a new and more entertaining 
Scean than any of the former, yet still filled with fals promises 
from the great. Swift must have (with his strong passions) 
experienced during the thirteen years of Queen Ann's reign, 
all the hopes, fears and vexations of an ambitious disappointed 
Man, and I am confident must have concluded with Solomon 
that All was vanity and vexation of Spirit. 

I wish my paper was larger, that I might not leave of with 
so mortifying a sentence ; but had Solomon lived with one wife 
quietly, and had had sons like Lord and Mr. Boyle, I think he 
would have acknowledged there was happiness, and that you 
may long enjoy happiness with these sons is the sincere wish, 
my D r Lord, of your Aff 1 and Obedient Wife, 

M. ORRERY. 



LADY ORRERY TO LORD ORRERY. 

Caledon, "Tyrone, December i6th, 1751. 

MY DEAR LORD, I have more Leisure To-day than I was 
allow'd last Post therefore I will return to our Freind Swift, 
and goe thro' as many of his Writings along with you, as my 
Sheet of Paper will contain. You have in your ninth and tenth 
Letters done justice to the Poetical performances of D. Swift, 
by the Commendations you bestow on these Poems which are 
worthy the reading and approbation of all Persons of tast, 
nay of all who have Ears to hear, and you have made us find 
Beauties even in his most trifling performances, by saying they 
far exceeded any Verse on the same kind of Subjects. The 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 283 

Account of his Female Senate composed cheifly of Old Ladyes 
must surprise many fine Gentlemen who do not regard vener- 
able Matrons, and may lead us to a comparison between 
the Female companions of the Dean of St. P. and those of 
Anacreon. Swift represents his Ladys as Daphnes, the Greek 
crowns his Favourets with beauties and Roses, and perhaps 
after all the Ladys of both Poets had all the strong passions 
of other Women. The eleventh Letter is the melancholy 
Account of D. Swift's loss of sense. All your Reflections 
are so just and so religious that they must please all Persons 
who reflect upon the Time which is approaching to us all, when 
Death shall disincumber us from such Bodys as can by the 
decay they undergo extinguish so superior a Soul. Your 
Observations on the Travels of Gulliver are full of Justice, 
Wit and Spirit, and I must return you my Thanks for 
your justification of Caesar whose fall I must Lament, while 
I acknowledge it more fortunate for his Glory than any Event 
that could have happened to him ; for I question whether 
even the first of men would not have grown giddy with Power. 
Queen Elizabeth died also in the most fortunate Period 
immaginable. Her last Speech to her Parliament, testified 
her mind as undecayed as her first, when She declared her 
People were both her Husband and Children. She was about 
to fall into the infirmities of Old Age in private Life as a 
Woman, and she could not have guarded against those infir- 
mities appearing soon after in Publick as a Queen. If I shut 
my Eyes I can fancy Elizabeth admited into (not the Christian 
but) the Heathen Paradise. What a Contention would there 
be among the illustrious Dead who shall have this glorious 
Queen for his Wife ! Would it be a Sin to bring Solomon, 
Caesar, Henri IV. of France, Pope Sextus Quintus, Prince 
Henry Plantagenet (V.), Anthony even from Cleopatra, the 



284 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

Black Prince and Oliver Cromwell. Elizabeth will not take 
Solomon because he is wiser than herself. She would have 
preffered the Black Prince as an English Heroe, only she is his 
Grandaughter ; she coquets a little with the Pope and the two 
Henrys, kicks Oliver to Tartarus, and accepts the hand of 
Caesar ? 

I awake from my Dream, and will put an end to this Letter 
by subscribing Myself to my dearest Lord, an Aff te and 

Obedient Wife, 

M. ORRERY. 



LADY ORRERY TO LORD ORRERY. 

Deer. 23, 1751. 

THERE are, my Dear Lord, no Packetts this Day, nor no 
Letters of any Consequence to answer, therefore as my pen is 
uningaged by Busyness, I have more leisure to write on your 
Remarks on Swift. I have got by the Carrier at last that 
Book you sent me by Falkner, and find the ink blacker and 
the paper whiter than in many of his Books, and altogether 
better than the Dublin Edition. I have hitherto found no- 
thing but Beauties in the Worke, I must now discover an Error, 
w h entirely arose from your having quoted by memory in your 
Remarks. Page 155 are these words, 'Gulliver has given to 
' Brutus five companions, Jun Brutus, Socrates, Epaminondas, 
* Cato the Censor, and Sir Tho s Moore ' ; then follows Page 
167 a degression relating to Cato the Censor, very just in itself, 
but on looking into Swift's Works, you will find the Person 
mentioned by Swift in this Sextumvirate to be Cato the 
Tounger. So great a mistake I think realy you had better 
mention in this third Edition now printing, to prevent other 
Cavilers from first finding out the Inadvertency. I was so 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 285 

possessed with my Observation about Cato that I began with 
that rather than lamenting poor Ld Bolingbroke's Death. The 
World has not his equal left, yet surely he has died in a happy 
time as to himself; far advanced in the decline of Life, yet not 
so far as to obscure any of the great faculties of his mind. A 
great Felicity w h must appear still a greater Felicity to every 
Person who reads your account of D. Swift's dreadfull close 
of Life. I shall long to know in what manner Ld B.'s writings 
are to be disposed off; to whose care He has left the inspec- 
tion of those inestimable Treasures, w h are much more valuable 
than his Fortune that, I suppose, was in his own Pow'r as it 
came mostly by his Mother. I think all the Freinds of Swift, 
except those acquired in Ireland (amongst whom I recon your- 
self) are now dead, for we may say Mr. Poulteney died in Lord 
Bath. But what is infinitely more lamentable than the death 
of the great men within these last twenty years, we see no 
young men of Genius rising to supply their places. This is 
indeed a Subject to be bewailed. Edmund is just now in from 
riding with Cheeks as healthfull as a Farmer's Son. He and 
Lucy join in their Duty ; and I am my dearest Lord y r v y aft te 

and obedient Wife, 

M. ORRERY. 

THE SAME TO THE SAME. 

Caltdon, Janry. 6t/i y 1752. 

MY DEAREST LORD, I wrote a good many Letters last 
night in hopes of being able to goe on with Swift this day, and 
writing to Garrick. but a horrid head Ach will not possibly 
allow me to goe thro this worke, indeed, I belive it was occa- 
sioned by reading so much of Amelia last night till it was very 
late, which I have finished, but cannot say it has given me 
equal pleasure with 'Tom Jones or Joasefh Andrews, it certainly 



286 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

is his own history, the Love part foolishly fond beneath the 
dignity of a man. Amelia vastly good, but a little silly. I 
think she is dead many years in reality, the Prison and Baliff 
Sceans very well, the Catastrophy of recovering their fortune 
unnatural. Amelia's conduct in carrying her Children to my 
Lord foolish and indiscreet. Mrs. Atkison's character neither 
uniform nor natural, the only good stroke in it making so 
learned a lady also a drunken Lady. Miss Mathews the most 
consistant character in the book, however, his observations 
on the abuse of laws, and his moral discourses are very well, 
but all together it is tedious. 

Adieu, my Dearest Lord, my head will not let me say a 
word more but that Edmund and Lucy are well, and that I am 
your Aff 1 and Obedient Wife, 

M. ORRERY. 



LADY ORRERY TO LORD ORRERY. 

Ash Wednesday. Caledon, Feb. 12, 1752. 

MY DEAR LORD, I make no question that the three Bells 
at Marston are now tinkling for Prayer as well as the one Bell 
of Caledon, and if you have as fine a day in Somerset, as ours 
in Tyrone, my dear Lord is drawing on his Boots, not to visit 
the sober Church but to pay his respects to Vallis. For my 
part I must goe and curse my Neighbours as the Church com- 
mands, tho' thereby I must write short Letters, and lose a 
Walke, but there are so many People who deserve cursing in 
this World that I would not omit my Amen for any Considera- 
tion. I have written to the gardener to send some seeds of 
trees from London, and to Bowen to take care of having them 
sowed. I have also ordered some more Orange to be sent 
when they arrive from Italy, for old and weake as I am growing, 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 287 

I shall still be able to hobble to the garden, and will leave 
behind me a good Collection of Trees which will still be young 
and beautifull when all this generation is laid in the Dust. 
But then we shall be young and beautifull again when all these 
Trees are burnt to Ashes. We are returned from Church. 
Eight persons besides the Sexton and our Household formed 
the whole congregation. Farewell till Saturday, my dearest 
Lord. I am ever y r aff te and obedient Wife, 

M. ORRERY. 



THE SAME TO THE SAME. 

CaUdon, March 30, 1752. 

MY DEAR LORD, You will be surprised at another short 
Letter, but when you hear how my time has been imployed 
since Saturday's Post carried my last to my Laelius you will 
wonder no longer. Easter Sunday we had so full a Congrega- 
tion that Church was not ended till three o'clock. Before 
diner was well finished the Bell rang for Prayers, and after 
that Edmund carried us to drink tea with Mrs. Pringle, to 
propose Mrs. Fox to Mr. Billy as a Wife ; you will find him 
a Boy full of Wagery, and he actualy put poor Billy and poor 
Fox into such Confusion that they had both like to have 
expired. At nine we returned home, supped and gently com- 
posed ourselves to sleep. On Monday after Breakfast the Bell 
called us to Church, away we went thro' the midst of the Fair, 
had Prayres, a Churching, and the Wedding of Young Mr. B. 
Sheils to Miss Mary Hickling, a Lady of great Beauty, 
Fortune and all Accomplishments that are required to make 
the Marriage State Happy. After that we bustled thro' the 
Fair, which kept us till past two o' Clock, and on my Return 
home found many of the Tenants here waiting to give an 



288 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

account of their Improvements. I have been detained so long 
by them, that Dinner is spoiled as Mary sends me Word, and 
its being on the Table ocasions my concluding so soon. My 
dearest Lord Your aff te and obedient Wife, 

M. ORRERY. 

THE LAST WORD. 

TOWARDS the close of the year 1762, John, Fifth Earl of 
Cork and Orrery, quietly passed from a life which, in its dura- 
tion, came greatly short of the statistics of King David, and in 
its chequered course, though exhibiting a fair show of outward 
prosperity, undefaced by exceptional calamity or tragedy, yet 
involved him in a full share of the trials allotted to average 
humanity. We may feel assured too, that no events of what- 
ever cast were likely to be minimised by one who, curiously 
enough considering his want of early familiarity with Ireland 
and the Irish inherited largely all the characteristics of the 
Celtic temperament, with its exaggerations of expression and 
sentiment, its impetuous though transient phases of likes and 
dislikes, its ill-regulated alternations of depression and exalta- 
tion, its egotistical excitabilities, and, above all, its uncon- 
querably lofty standard of Self Esteem ! The first evil stroke 
of destiny fell upon him while still unconscious, in the pre- 
mature removal of a Mother's guiding love, ill replaced by 
the unexpansive affection of a Father, absorbed in his own 
multifarious pursuits, and so careless of a future beyond them, 
as to leave his only son steeped to the neck in financial complica- 
tions. Among the chief compensations in that son's tangles 
and struggles, we find first his deep-rooted and abiding love of 
study that, joined to his keen delight in literature though 
untinctured with science early attracted and retained for him 



THE ORRERY PAPERS 289 

the friendship of most of the brightest Intellects of his day. 
Next in date, though not in rank, came his immeasurable good 
Fortune, in winning the absolute devotion of two wives in 
succession, from among the women whose worth is above rubies. 
With the lovely and fragile Lady Harriet Hamilton, his con- 
jugal happiness was darkly clouded only after the birth of their 
third child, when the Shadow of Death began to loom over her 
gentle little life, and all too soon bore it fluttering away. For 
six unbroken years John dwelt practically alone with her 
memory and her children ; the interval seemed long to some 
of his friends, but it proved to be (in the Irish idiomatic adap- 
tation of a French saying), ' backing for a bound ' ; and from 
the letters of Margaret Hamilton we may gauge the sterling 
value of a character that constituted her at least as great a 
mainstay to her husband morally, as were her Estates to his 
circumstances. Throughout her correspondence much of 
which for private reasons could not be reproduced every 
sentence, nay, every word, is inspired by overflowing tender- 
ness towards her husband and family : a judicious tenderness 
which does not preclude the occasional honest expression of 
difference in opinion, where his welfare is concerned. Her 
Piety was unaffected and free from narrow-mindedness ; her 
perceptive understanding ripened by cultivation despite bar- 
barous irregularities of orthography and if wifely partiality 
at times overweighted her judgment of his compositions, 

Yet this Infirmity is such 

As we too must adore ; 
She could not love Her Lord so much 
Had she prized Genius more.' 

The cruel loss of this unequalled companionship plunged John 
again, and more severely, into sorrowful Solitude ; wherein he 
confided to a friend the pathetic impossibility of remaining 

VOL II. T 



290 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

long at Marston : 'It is too far, too lonely, and too dismal a 
' remembrance of former happiness.' Nor can we wonder : his 
eldest daughter Lady Betty Worsley was a widow ; two of 
his offspring the much-afflicted Lord Dungarvan and the 
tardily weaned little Kitty were gone, as were many of his 
older and better friends; while the next heir, Hamilton, already 
showed fatal signs of not lingering long after his father on 
earth. Surely for poor John had the grass withered and the 
flower faded ! As we leave him, clinging through the mar- 
tyrdom of hereditary gout to his pen and his classics, it seems 
permissible in closing his record to borrow for a moment the 
One, and extract from the Other, a kindly memento in the 
single word Fuit. 

[Earl John and Countess Margaret both lie in the family 
Vault in St. John's Parish Church of Frome Selwood, a pic- 
turesque small town built on part of the ancient Forest of 
Selwood, and bisected by the murky little river formerly spelt 
Froom. The Church, originally founded in far days by St. 
Anselm, has been (perhaps) a little over-restored by the Rev. 
Mr. Bennett, at one time Vicar, and a very prominent ecclesi- 
astical character. The family Vault of the Boyles was finally 
closed in 1856 at the interment of the late Earl of Cork and 
Orrery, on which occasion was exercised for the last time the 
curious Prerogative of the Lord of the Manor to claim removal 
of all seats in the main aisle for either funeral or wedding 
Ceremonies in his behalf.] 






APPENDIX. 

THE BLUE RING. 

THE Story of the Sapphire Ring presented to Lord Orrery by 
the Duchess of Buckingham, (his kinswoman and) the daughter of 
James n., was at one time fairly well known, being printed in a small 
Volume by Lord O., but has since then dropped out of memory, altho' 
in Robertson's ' History of Scotland,' James I. is represented as saying 
he * had received a Blue Ring from a fair Lady ' in relating his suc- 
cessful (because well-timed) expedition South to claim as his rightful 
inheritance the throne of England. 

Briefly stated, the facts are these : when Queen Elizabeth lay at 
Richmond in the throes of her fatal illness, the Ministers met daily in 
Council at Whitehall, to receive the latest tidings of their moribund 
Sovereign, and to consider the most expedient measures to take on the 
first notice of her demise, for barring the unpopular succession of 
James vi. from Holyrood to St. James' Palace. The Queen herself, 
altho* she had publicly recognized the legality of his pretensions and 
could take no overt steps to upset them, was privy and favourable to 
the intended manoeuvres of her Ministers, and his chances, for the Time 
being, hung rather lightly in the Balance of the Future. But a canny 
Scot is hard to reckon with in all ranks of life, and the far-seeing 
Northern Monarch had wisely secured to himself two potent allies in 
the very heart of the Enemy's Camp. These Allies, Philadelphia Lady 
Scrope and Robert Carey (afterwards Earl of Monmouth), in addition to 
the relationship of Brother and Sister, were also, curiously enough, near- 
of-kin to the Queen, being the children of Henry Lord Hunsdon, son of 
Lady Mary Boleyne, her Aunt. Queen Elizabeth, in addition to the 
honours and benefits bestowed upon her Cousin, shewed a good 
measure of kindness to his offspring, placing Lady Scrope about her 
own person, and being graciously disposed towards * Robin ' till he 
unadvisedly forfeited her favour by a hasty and imprudent marriage 



291 



292 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

a deadly sin in the Royal Eyes. He was not, however, utterly cast 
off, and very shortly before her last moments, being admitted into her 
Presence, saw for himself and heard her admit how ill she was. Details 
must have been then if not earlier arranged between the brother 
and sister, for Robin came no more inside the Palace, but hung about the 
exterior, more particularly under the Queen's Windows (where, being 
well-known to the Guards, etc., he was not interfered with), until 
suddenly Lady Scrope appeared at one of them and made signs for him 
to draw close underneath. Then, shutting for an instant both eyes 
with her hands, she softly opened a pane, dropped the Ring, his 
appointed Credential, into his palm, and pointing North, swiftly and 
cautiously closed the window. As Robert Carey turned rapidly away 
he saw a mounted Messenger galloping off towards Whitehall, and 
learned from one of the Household whom he incidentally ran against, 
that the Doors of the Palace were by the Queen's last command 
closed to all out-goers or in-comers pending the Orders of the Lords 
in Council. With all the promptitude of a starving Younger Son (he 
was number four of his Father's flock !) did Robert bestride his 
horse as previously settled, and start on his arduous journey, et blen lui 
en prlt not to have loitered in his departure, seeing that the first Order in 
Council forbade all posts to Scotland, an immense though unconscious 
assistance to his project. The adventure was not however exempt 
from pain and calamity, some ruffians having set upon him when over 
the Border, and gashed his head so severely that altho' he succeeded in 
concealing the ring from their brutal researches, he had the morti- 
fication of appearing before the King with his brows bound up with a 
* bloody Clout.' There however his troubles ended. James, to whom 
Robert Carey had formerly been presented when sent to Scotland in 
the suite of Mr. Secretary Walsingham, recognized him at once, and 
acted on the information he brought with such speed, that ere the 
English Ministers had fully decided on their course of action they 
learnt the time for that action had sped, the new King and his 
Army having come within measurable distance of his new Capital. 
The broken head of Robert Carey soon healed under all the soothing 
treatment it received, and his subsequent career as Earl of Monmouth 
was an entirely prosperous one. 





2 , (ievd vf .fytrtiifiafo-n ;/UHJC ^ ' '/tfie -uHf,ked. " ' Ga-ri 'a-/ '(butto 



APPENDIX 293 

N.B. The Earls of Monmouth, Middleton, Middlesex, Dorset, 
Orrery, with the Dukes of Dorset and Buckingham, and Lady Eliza- 
beth Spelman, were all in different degrees of cousinship together. 



LADY DOROTHY BOYLE. 

LADY Hertford gives the following account of the conduct of Lord 
Euston, son of the Duke of Grafton, to his betrothed, Lady Dorothy 
Boyle, daughter of Lord Cooke and Burlington, the Architect' Earl: 1 

* Though Lady Dorothy, besides her vast fortune, is said to have 
all the good sense and gentleness of temper that can be desired in a 
wife, and has so fine a face that were her person answerable to it, one 
could hardly imagine anything more beautiful ; yet he takes every 
opportunity to shew his contempt and even aversion for her, while she 
entertains very different sentiments for him, which, notwithstanding 
the great modesty of her temper, she cannot always conceal. Amongst 
the many balls that were given last spring, there was a very magni- 
ficent one at the Duke of Norfolk's, where I saw so many instances of 
the slighting manner in which he treated her, and of her attention to 
him, as raised both my indignation and my pity. But I heard that at 
another ball he carried his impoliteness much further ; for when the 
company was sitting at supper, after looking upon her for some time 
in a very odd manner, he said " Lady Dorothy, how greedily you eat ! 
It is no wonder that you are so fat." This unexpected compliment 
made her blush extremely, and brought the tears into her eyes. My 
Lady Burlington, who sat near enough to hear what passed, and see 
the effect it had on her daughter, coloured as much as the young lady, 
and immediately answered, " It is true, my lord, that she is fat, and I 
hope she will always be so, for it is her constitution, and she will never 
be lean until she is less happy than we have always tried to make her, 
1 ' Who plants like Bathurst and who builds like Boyle.' POPE. 

A legend used to be current that the original Burlington House in Piccadilly was 
there placed by its owner with the determination that ' no man should live west of 
him,' which story, however apocryphal, gives the measure of London's limits then in 
that locality. Burlington House was in comparatively recent days pulled down and 
replaced by the present Royal. Academy. The architecture of the two wings and their 
colonnade was a joy to the eyes, but the main body of the building less important. 



294 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

which I shall endeavour to prevent her being." Those last words were 
spoken in a tone which gave the company reason to believe that her 
ladyship's eyes were at last opened to what everybody had seen too 
long. ... I know of nothing since but that they are not married, 
and indeed I hope they never will be so. Were the young lady my 
daughter, I should with less reluctance prepare for her funeral than for 
such a marriage.' 1 

There is something like a prophetic ring in those words, for poor 
Lady Dorothy was married to Lord Euston in 1741, and died from his 
ill treatment of her six months later, being then only just eighteen. 
Horace Walpole, writing to Sir Horace Mann only a fortnight after 
the marriage, says : C I wrote you word that Lord Euston is married; 
in a week more I believe I shall write you word that he is divorced. 
He is brutal enough, and has forbid Lady Burlington his house, and 
that in very ungentle terms ! The whole family is in confusion, 
the Duke of Grafton half dead, and Lord Burlington half mad. The 
latter has challenged Lord Euston, who accepted the challenge, but 
they were prevented. . . . Do you not pity the poor girl, of the 
softest temper, vast beauty, birth and fortune, to be so sacrificed ? ' 

After Lady Dorothy's death her mother painted a portrait of her 
from memory, on which was placed the following inscription : 

LADY DOROTHY BOYLE 
BORN MAY THE I4TH 1724. 

She was the comfort and Joy of her parents, the delight of all who 
. knew her angelick temper, and the admiration of all who saw her 
beauty. 

She was married October the loth 1741, and delivered (by death) 
from misery 

MAY THE 2ND 1742. 

This portrait was afterwards engraved, and prints were distributed 
by Lady Burlington to all her friends. The inscription, of which two 
versions are quoted by Walpole, is said to have been written by Pope. 

1 Correspondence between Frances, Countess of Hertford, and H. L., Countess of 
Pomfret, 1738-41. 3 vols. 1805. 



APPENDIX 295 

COPY OF A PAPER IN 'THE BUSYBODY' BY 
JOHN LORD ORRERY. 

Oct. 141*1, 1759. 

IT is a constant observation made by all foreigners who come into 
this island, or see any of our islanders, that there is a greater variety of 
character in England, than in any other Nation in the World. The 
remark is founded upon truth and experience. Naturalists who dive 
deep into causes and effects, pretend to account for it either from our 
climate, our liberty, or occult matters too refined and abstruse to be 
the subjects of this paper. The fact is certain, be the cause what 
it may. With your leave then, Mr. Busybody, from amidst the 
variegated mass of characters, which Nature has stamped upon her 
several editions of Englishmen, I will endeavour to point out 3 
different branches, nurtured from the root of the same tree. This 
Triumvirate is not always sufficiently distinguished, they are too often 
grouped under the general denomination of mad men or fools. It is a 
careless indolent way of defining their peculiarities, and as the negative 
cannot be proved, few people think it worth their while to run into 
definitions that are so easily explained by one single term. But as in 
the commerce of my life I have observed a very remarkable distinction 
between each of the characters, which I would here describe, I hope it 
may not be totally unworthy of your attention to look at the pictures 
I shall exhibit of 'the Odd Man,' 'the Singular Man,' and 'the 
Hippish Man.' The Odd Man is not only absolutely of English 
growth, but his species like our Irish Wolf-Dog can scarce be 
propagated in any other Country. Search for him beyond the Twede, 
he is not to be found. Look for him in Ireland, he may have been 
transplanted thither, but the Hibernian air is as fatal to him as to 
toads and serpents, he snuffs it up, crawls into a ditch and dies. Let 
us consider then what the true definition of an Odd Man ought to be. 
It is certain that he is not a fool, on the contrary he has good sense 
tinctured with absurdity. He is often a Wit. In his general conduct 
he is eccentric rather than impudent. He differs in all the actions of 
his life, all the postures of his body, and all the thoughts of his mind, 



296 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

from the generality of his fellow-creatures ; nay, he differs from him- 
self, as much as the Seasons of the Year differ from themselves. He 
is sometimes as hot as summer, and sometimes as cold as winter 
towards his oldest friends, and most acknowledged acquaintances. In 
one hour he knows his intimates, in the next he cannot recollect who 
they are. Unless he relishes his company he is silent and sullen, or 
when he speaks is peevishly rude. Give him the companions he 
chooses, no man more happy, no man more agreable. Strong in- 
gredients of pride may be perceived throughout his whole behaviour. 
An awkward bashfulness adds to the appearance of pride, and every 
degree of ease and familiarity being wanting, the composition of the 
man is constantly rendered disgustful and sometimes contemptible, 
although there may be virtues within him, which unless smothered by 
oddness, must have been an honour to the possessor, and a benefit to 
his country. He abhors Courtiers. The Court is a scene of polite- 
ness the odd man seldom or ever appears at Court; he calls his 
absence patriotism ; if he called it perverseness, oddness or sheepish- 
ness, he would give it the true name. 

A man of deep learning without the least knowledge of the world 
must always be an odd man ; well and wisely therefore did a friend of 
mine write with a diamond upon the casement of his chamber in 
Oxford these lines : 

* George Goggle his window 

God give him grace thereout to look, 
And see the folk pass to and fro, 
To study man instead of book.' 

If an odd man marries an odd woman, the offspring are generally 
lunatics, if the lunacy be of the methodistical kind it is apt to be 
incurable; but if a demi-lunatic not too far gone, marries a woman of 
sound understanding, of decent behaviour and of a proper degree of 
vivacity and chearfullness, it is more than probable that of such an 
alliance a Wit, an acknowledged Wit will arise, in all the glory of 
supreme talents. Hence the observation of our Poet : 

* Great Wits to madness sure are near allied, 
And their partitions do the bounds divide. 1 

Wits seldom endure longer than a single generation. There are 



APPENDIX 297 

few instances of a witty father producing a witty son : but odd men 
last from generation to generation, and I am acquainted with the very 
odd Grandson of an extremely odd Grandfather. My friend Oakley 
Soothless Esq r began early to show great indications of oddness, . . . 
and being sent to Gray's Inn to study the law, scorned the laborious 
works of Salkeld, and directed his studies to the German Flute. He 
was afterwards transplanted to Paris and dined once with the English 
Ambassador, after which the rest of his time was passed in voluntary 
confinement within his hotel, dreading to be seen in a bag-wig or 
spoken to in a language he did not understand. On his Father's 
sudden death he returned to us with all the prejudices of an English- 
man, burnt his bag-wig on arriving in Golden Square, sold his french 
cloths to the Playhouse and ordered his travelling tutour (on whom he 
settled a handsome annuity) never to visit him but on Quarter Days. 
His deportment at his country seat convinced his neighbours that their 
company was not agreeable to him. * Gentlemen,' said he, ' I will do 
you any service in my pow'r, but I hate duty payers ; they are Duns 
for the immediate payment of Time, and as a free-born Englishman I 
insist upon having my hours and thoughts at my own disposal.' This 
Esquire passes his winters generally in London he appears (the Court 
and the Opera excepted) in most of the public places of resort always 
alone, and always in a dress peculiar to himself. In a general mourn- 
ing he may be seen in the front boxes in a red plush frock, laced 
ruffles, embroidered buff waistcoat, and white nankin breeches, and 
commonly places himself as near as possible to the celebrated Kitty. 1 
After the Play he sometimes accompanies a few friends to the Bedford 
Arms, and as I am generally of the number, give me leave to assure 
you, that I frequently go home in a kind of astonishment by hearing 
from him a great deal of good sense and rational conversation, mixed 
with such prejudices, narrowness of judgment, violence of passion, and 
ridiculous notions of the world, as might almost tempt me to the wild 
opinion that a man, at least an Englishman, has two souls. I had 
written thus far when the expression 'odd fish' was brought to my 
notice, and has struck me as one which it belongs to my present under- 
taking to explain. The odd fish is relative to the odd man, especially 

1 Mrs. CHve. 



298 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

when the latter is taken in a net that draws him to the shore of good 
company. He flounces, he flounders, he gasps for breath, he languishes 
after his proper element, and if he is not returned soon to the regions 
of deepness and mudd, he beats himself nearly to pieces. To enter 
further into the minutiae of odd men might be tedious ; in Oakley (so 
named because he was born on May the 2gth) you see them. Their 
dress, physiognomy and awkwardness discovers them. It will be 
almost ridiculous to add, that I have seen many short-sighted men who 
were not odd men, but I never saw an odd man who was not short 
sighted. I find I have been betrayed into a whole length when I 
intended only a half length picture, and it has taken up too much 
room to admit the other two gentlemen whom I proposed to place in 
the same rank. Some other opportunity must display them in their 
proper attitudes. I have the honour to be really your well-wisher, and 
in some future address you shall have my name uncurtailed, at present 

be pleased to accept of the initial letters, 

J. O. 

PAPER No. 2 TO 'THE BUSYBODY.' 
< ALTER SED IDEM: 

THE Singular Man bears a very distant resemblance to the Odd 
Man whom I have had the honour to present to you. The latter is 
deficient in most perfections and accomplishments ; the former is 
generally a very fine Gentleman, subject and attached to some 
peculiarities, that perhaps are seldom known except to his domestics 
and his most intimate friends, but when known, they are such as give 
a very remarkable form to his character. The odd man is only to be 
found in England, the singular man is to be found everywhere, but I 
shall confine myself entirely to the Singular Englishman. The Odd 
Man shuns Good Company. The Singular Man is to bear a part in 
every Scene of politeness, and is present in every Rout and Assembly 
with which our Metropolis abounds. Yet it is observable that a 
certain stiffness embarasses the most elegant actions of his life. He 
is civil without being easy. Could he attain to ease he must naturally 
shake off those chains with which he appears manacled. He is 
governed by his watch, and scorns to be outdone in regularity by 



APPENDIX 299 

Time itself. He conforms to the hours of other people abroad, but in 
his own house differs from the general hours, and dines at least half an 
hour sooner than the rest of the world. His dinner stays for no person 
whatever, the supper is served up in the same degree of hourly exact- 
ness. However, I recollect to have seen the latter meal postponed for 
once in a very extraordinary manner. Some years ago, I called one 
evening at the house of a near relation l of mine, with an intention of 
supping with him. I knew his destined hour was ten o'clock. We 
sat together till my appetite prompted me to hint to him that I was 
surprised to find his usual exactness overturned, for altho' the cloth 
was already laid, the clock had struck eleven, without the appearance 
of any supper. ' As to the time of night, you are mistaken, Cousin,' 
replied he; 'my wife not being come home, I am convinced that it 
cannot be ten o'clock. She knows my hour, and as an excellent and 
obedient wife, will comply to it.' It was upon the stroke of twelve 
before the lady wrapt at the door, then my kinsman with a very grave 
countenance, sent to let his cook know that he was impatient for 
supper as it was just ten o'clock. The singular man without being 
effeminate in his person or manners, encroaches upon the province of 
females in many instances, which is the cause why the generality of 
singular men remain Batchelors ; they are afraid that a wife might 
not easily conform to their rules and regulations, or might divest them 
of their occupations and employments. They worship the ladies, as 
the Indians worship the Sun, with true adoration, but care not to come 
too near lest they might be burnt. The generality of singular men 
are men of knowledge and abilities. Weak men dare not be singular, 
they may be odd, but they have not sufficient powers to stem the 
torrent of modes, customs and prejudices. Having no judgment of 
their own they must swim with the tide. Singular men loudly boast 
that all their actions are squared by reason j perhaps so, but it is a sort 
of reason that differs from the rest of the world, and is peculiar to 

1 * The old Lord Pembroke,* grandfather of the present Earl, is the person here 
meant. The story is true, nor did Lady Pembroke ever stay out a second time after 
ten o'clock.' Note by Lord Orrery. 

* Henry, gth Earl of Pembroke and 6th Earl of Montgomery, married to Mary, daughter 
of Viscount Fitzwilliam. 



300 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

themselves. The talents of some singular men have been peculiar in 
their kind tho' an ornament to their country. Among these, Dr. 
Swift was particularly distinguished, but an instance of his singularity 
may not be foreign to this dissertation. It was his custom while Dean 
of St. Patrick's to walk to the end of Dublin, and then get upon his 
horse. Two footmen attended him, one of whom was constantly 
commanded to carry one of his boots, and the other another, to the 
place where he took horse, c because,' said he, * if one man carried both 
boots the other would laugh at him.' In politics, and indeed in every- 
thing, the singular man is a great reformer. He sees the errors of the 
personages at the helm, and he tries to amend them ; but the present 
Minister x has been very unfavourable to his spirit of reformation. He 
has debarr'd him of the power of finding fault. He smothers him with 
roses, he fetters him with chains of silk ; he has forced him to join 
with the whole Nation in one continued chorus of applause, so that 
unless the subject of a Court-martial had allowed a tolerable topic of 
remarks and altercation, singularity itself must have sunk into oblivion 
and have perished like a drop of water in the sea. I remember a 
singular man who was remarkably fond of fine cloths. In his youth, 
when he could not afford lace, he bedaubed his person with tinsel ; 
but when in a maturer age he became master of a fortune, he never 
appeared unbediamonded, unembroidered, or unlaced. After a long 
illness, which he bore with great heroism, his physicians let him know 
that he must dye. l With all my heart,' said he, * provided that I can 
* dye as I have lived : take me out of bed and let me be dressed in my 
' last Birthday Suit.' His commands were obeyed : he was taken from 
his bed, his cloathes and wig were put on, and he was placed upon a 
Couch, where he soon afterwards expired, in a brown velvet suit 
embroidered with gold. The erasure of Superstition in Religion has 
been very fatal to singularity. Witches, Astrologers, Fortune-tellers 
of every sort seem to be drowned in the Dead Sea. I question whether 
the Second Sight in Scotland is not grown dim. It is certain that not 
a crooked pin has been visible for these last score years. No croaking 
family Ravens foretell the death of the Esquire or of his Lady, nor 
is Her Ladyship driven from country to Town by the invisible rattling 

1 Mr. Pulteney. 



APPENDIX 301 

of chains, or the tattoe of drumsticks. Such incidents gave great 
occasion for Singularities in families. Portents and omens made each 
person who beheld them imagine himself distinguished by Heaven, and 
cast if not in a sacred in an uncommon mould ; he silenced all attempts 
at deriding Apparitions by the story of the Witch of Endor, and 
brought up the Ghost of Sir George Villiers in the Earl of Clarendon's 
history. Betty Canning, with her penny tarts, succeeded by writing 
anonymous letters to the D. of M., 1 revived the dying embers of super- 
stition for some time, and afforded very extraordinary arguments that 
just then might have made a figure in some paper. But these things 
are no more. Canning is married in America, and the letter-writer 
will scarce think it worth while to begin a correspondence with the 
Dead. Superstition overcome, what is left for Singularity ? only a 
few pitifull vulgar detestations ; such as the dreadfull tremors at the 
sight of a spider, the instantaneous horror at the crawling of a toad, 
or the sweating sickness occasioned by the most hated and most beloved 
of all animals, a cat. I saw a most tremendous instance of the cat-like 
horror last Tuesday, 2 at my own house in Westminster. I had invited 
some company to dinner, to celebrate the Day, among whom was Lory 
Nerves, my wife's Cousin-german. I knew his insuperable aversion to 
Cats, and had therefore sent my three favourites, Pin, Needle, and 
Cushion, prisoners to a house in South wark, that they might not be 
on the same side of the water with us ; but as we were sitting in a 
circle, after dinner, round the Drawing-room fire, Lory fell into 
uncommon agitations and sweatings, and could only repeat faintly the 
word * Cat.' The whole house was immediately searched for some 
witch in disguise, who might possibly have slided in through the key- 
hole. The search was to no purpose, not even the footsteps of a Cat 
could be found. Lory still continued convulsed, till my wife, who has 
more presence of mind than myself, drew from behind her chest of 
drawers our Son Ralph's Cat-stick, and immediately threw it into a 
bonfire that was just then beginning to be kindled before our door. 
The Cat-stick was scarce singed by the flames when our Cousin Nerves 

1 The Duke of Marlborough. For these letters a Mr. Barnard, a builder, was 
tried and found not guilty at the Sessions in 1758. 
1 Illumination Night for Quebec. 



302 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

began to recover, and by the help of some hartshorn drops in his tea 
continued very good company all the evening. I am, Sir, your humble 
Servant, J. O. 



COPY OF THE THIRD LETTER TO 'THE BUSY- 
BODY' (NOW ANNEXED TO * THE EVENING POST '). THE 

HYPPISH MAN. 

' A man so various that he seems to be, 
Not one but all mankind's epitome.' * 

SIR, Will you accept of the third picture which I proposed to 
exhibit to you and turn your eyes to the Portrait of the Hyppish Man ? 
His features are not always the same, for he differs from himself ex toto 
cosh, and is at some hours the most miserable, at others the most happy 
of mankind. Doctor Cheney 2 gives the title of the English Malady to 
hypocondriacal complaints, but the malady is not solely confined to our 
island. It is probable that it had its original with hum. nature, and 
is coeval with the Creation of the World. Saul, the first King of 
Israel, was sometimes affected with it to a high degree, and only 
curable by the harp of his successor, David. ... It must be owned, 
tho', that the distemper is particularly prevalent in these northern 
islands, and shows itself in more various shapes among Englishmen 
than among any other people on the Globe. An English hypocondriac 
sometimes fancies himself a tea-pot, and foresees his death from the 
boiling water that must be poured down his throat for the use of the 
ladies. Sometimes he imagines himself a drin king-glass, and dreads 
being broken to pieces by an awkward Hobb-Nobb. . . . Hippish 
people have one great advantage over athletic persons : they are always 
seemingly dying, yet live longer than almost any other set of men. 
They are weeping willows that bend at every blast of wind, while the 
tall, straight elm is blown down without any warning of its fall. A man 
who has gone through the whole course of the Hyp has fought against 
nearly every distemper that ever existed in mind or body. I have seen 
a friend of mine stop short in the midst of an important discourse 
to brush off the devils that sat invisibly to all but himself upon his 
1 Dryden, ' Character of Zimri.' * i.e. Dr. George Cheyne. 



APPENDIX 303 

shoulders and some of his coat buttons. A short ejaculation seemed 
frequently to have a better effect than the force of brushing. At 
certain inarticulately muttered words the infernal Spirits scarce ever 
failed to fly out of the window, for which reason my friend constantly 
keeps his window open day and night in the bitterest winter season. 
I should think myself a degenerate Englishman, if I had not the honour 
of boasting that some years I was attacked by the Hyp ; but I must 
add that my cure was too rapid to permit me the assumption of pre- 
tention to any great atchievements. On the 2gth of September, having 
eaten plentifully of the bird sacred to the day, I waked the next 
morning with a full conviction that I was become a gander, and acting 
in this belief proceeded to immediately exercise my plumes in the long 
canal lately made in my garden, where I soon became the most 
Leviathan Gander that ever swam. I sported in the water in the 
morning, at noon, and at night. The only drawback in my trans- 
formation was that my wife, whom I was never able to convince that 
she was a goose, absolutely refused to bear me company, or indeed 
swim at all. She carried her obstinacy so far as to insist that not one 
of our three dear little goslings should paddle in a small serpentine 
river that I made on purpose for them in our Stable Yard, altho' when 
they hobbled alongside of it, they discovered as true a gosling waddle 
as any goose upon a common. In about a month's time, by swimming 
incessantly, I found my plumes drop off apace, nor indeed have the 
least remains of a water-fowl ever since adhered to me. ... In a 
Nation where hypocondriacal complaints are acknowledged to be so 
prevalent, I am surprised that their ebullitions have not been more 
frequently represented in the theatres. Except ' Morose ' in Ben 
Johnson's Silent Woman^ I do not remember any English Comedy 
wherein the character of the Hyppish Man is exposed to view. 
Moliere painted him finely in his Malade Imaginaire, and at the 
same time indulged the natural spleen which he entertained against 
physicians. What an incomparable figure would some of our Quacks 
make upon the Stage administring to Yates 1 their 'Oil for Convulsions,' 
their * true chemical Opodeldoc,' their * delightful tincture for the 
teeth and gums,' not to mention c the only short and infallible cure for 

1 A favourite actor. 



3 o 4 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

the scurvy,' exhibited by the Gentlewoman at the Two Blue Posts in 
Hayden Yard. All these gentlewomen and gentlemen, and many 
hundreds more, some in chariots, and some in one-horse chaises, live 
and thrive upon the hyppish disposition of the good people of England, 
who while there is a medicine remaining to be advertised, will not fail 
to have a malady that will fit it. I am, Sir, as I said in a former letter, 
etc., 

TIMOTHY OBSERVATION. 



'THE CONNOISSEUR,' OCTOBER 1754. 

GOING the other day to visit Mrs. Penelope Dent, her maid in- 
formed me with her Mistress' Compliments, after I had waited some 
time in the Parlour, that she was extremely busy, but would be 
very glad to see me in the Nursery. As I knew she was a Maiden 
Lady, I felt startled at the message ; however I followed the servant 
upstairs to her Mistress, whom I found combing a little white dog 
that lay in her lap, with a grey parrot perched on one arm of the 
settee she occupied, a monkey on the back, and a tabby cat with 
half a dozen kittens in the other corner. The whole of the large 
room was indeed a Nursery for all kinds of Animals, except those of 
the human species. It was hung every where with cages containing 
every variety of birds, on the chairs were several cats reposing on 
soft cushions, and little kennels in the Chinese taste filled every 
corner of the room, inhabited by Pugs, Fido's and King Charles' 
breeds. As soon as the chattering of the birds, the barking of the 
dogs, and the mewing of the cats, occasioned by my entrance began to 
cease, c You find me here, Sir ' (said the lady), * tending my little 
4 family : Here 's a dear pretty creature (holding up the dog), a beauty 
' Sir ! a fine long-eared, snub-nosed beauty ! Lady Faddle advertised 
4 three quarters of a year, and could not get the fellow to it bless 
' its sweet Soul ! ' And then she stroaked it and kissed it for near 
two minutes, uttering all the time those inarticulate sounds, which are 
only addressed to dogs, cats, and children, and may be stiled the 
language of the nursery. A humane disposition is indeed most 
amiable in either man or woman, but the most compassionate temper 



APPENDIX 305 

may be gratified by relieving the wretched of our own species, and who 
may boast of their generosity to a lapdog or their heaping eternal 
obligations on a monkey ? Again, should we celebrate the charity 
of one who, while denying support to a relation, maintained a family 
of kittens ? For my part before I wd treat a Dutch puppy with 
such absurd fondness, I must be brought to worship dogs like 
./Egyptians of old, and ere I would so extravagantly doat upon a 
monkey I would as lago says on a different occasion * change my 
' humanity with a Baboon.' Yet there have been many instances, 
besides my female friend, of this pampering of the brute creation 
being carried to very ridiculous lengths. Grave doctors of the 
faculty have been called in to feel the pulse of a lapdog, or inspect 
the vomit of a squirrel ; and one lady carried the matter so far as to 
discharge her chaplain because he refused to bury her monkey. I 
know a young fellow that was cut off with a shilling by an old 
maiden aunt, for very proper chastisement of * poor Veny,' and have 
heard of another who might have carried off a rich widow but that 
he could not prevail on himself to caress her dormouse. We often 
see a footman following his mistress to church with a Prayer-book 
under one arm, and a lapdog under the other ; and I once saw a 
brandy-monarch disturbed as he lay expiring on the carpet, by a 
little black dog of King Charles' breed, who jumped out of the stage- 
box, and, seizing on the hero's perriwig, brought it off in his mouth 
to lodge in his Lady's lap. It does not appear strange in this state 
of things that the breed of these favourite animals should be solici- 
tously preserved, nor shall I speedily forget a card sent to another 
Lady on an interesting occasion, expressed in these terms : ' Mr. 
* 's compliments to Lady Betty, is glad to learn Miss Chloe is 

* safely delivered, and as a particular favour begs that her Ladyship 

* would be pleased to set him down for a Puppy' 

EXTRACT OF PAPER No. XV. FROM 'THE 
CONNOISSEUR,' MAY 1754. 

A FRIEND of mine who belongs to the Stamp-Office acquaints 
me that the Revenue arising from the duty on cards and dice con- 
VOL. II. U 



3 o6 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

tinues to increase every year. This will not appear very wonderful 
when we consider that gaming is now become the business rather 
than amusement of Persons of Quality ; that their whole attention is 
employed in this important article, and that they are more concerned 
about the transactions of the two clubs at White's, than the pro- 
ceedings of both Houses of Parliament. Thus it happens that 
Estates are now almost as frequently made over by whisk and 
hazard as by deeds and settlements, and the chariots of many of our 
nobility may be said (like Count Basset's in the play) to roll upon 
the four Aces.' . . . The management of a dispute was formerly 
attempted by reason and argument, but the new way of adjusting all 
differences of opinion is by the sword or a wager ; so that the only 
genteel method of dissent is to risk a thousand pounds, or take your 
chance of being run thro' the body. . . . The gentlemen who now 
frequent White's look upon everything as dubious, and put the 
issue upon a wager. There is nothing, however trivial or ridiculous, 
which is not capable of producing a bet. Many pounds have been 
lost upon the colour of a coach-horse, or the changing the weather. 
The birth of a child has brought great advantages to persons not in 
the least related to the family wherein it was born, and the breaking 
off of a match has affected many in their fortunes besides the parties 
immediately concerned. But the most extraordinary part of this 
fashionable practice, is what in the gaming dialect is called pitting 
one man against another ; that is in plain English wagering which 
of the two will live longest. In this manner people of the most 
opposite character make the subject of a bet. A player may be 

pitted against a duke, an Alderman against a Bishop, or a w 

against a privy-counsellor. There is scarce one remarkable person 
upon whose life there are not many thousand pounds depending, or 
one person of quality whose death will not leave several of these 
kind of mortgages upon some estate. I remember a man with the 
constitution of a porter, upon whose life very great odds were laid ; 
but when the person he was pitted against was expected to dye 
every week, this man unexpectedly shot himself thro' the head, and 
the knowing ones were taken in. Though many of our follies are 
imported from France, this has had its rise and progress entirely in 



APPENDIX 307 

England. In the last illness of Louis xiv., Lord Stair laid a wager 
on his death, and we may guess what the French thought of this 
from the manner in which Voltaire mentions it : c Le Roi fut attaque 
4 vers le milieu du mois d'Aout. Le Comte de Stair, Ambassadeur 
' d'Angleterre, paria selon le genie de sa Nation que le Roi ne passeroit 
* pas le mois de Septembre.' I am in some pain lest this custom 
should get among the ladies. They are at present very deep in cards 
and dice ; and while my Lord is gaming abroad, my Lady has her 
rout at home. I am inclined to suspect that our Women of Fashion 
are also learning to divert themselves with this polite fashion of laying 
wagers. . . . Should they proceed further to stake the lives of their 
acquaintances against each other, they would doubtless proceed with 
the same fearless spirit as they are known to do at Brag : one 
husband might be pitted against another, or a Woman of the Town 
against a Maid of Honour. As the Vices and follies of persons of 
distinction are apt to spread, this branch of gaming has I fear already 
descended on the common people. During the recent contested 
Election in the City a butcher in Leadenhall Market laid an ox to 
a shin of beef on the success of Sir John Barnard, while a publican in 
Thames St. ventured a hogshead of entire on the Candidate who 
serves him with beer. The Spirit of gaming also displays itself 
with as much variety among the lowest as in the highest order of 
people. The Dice rattle the same in orange-barrow, as at the 
Hazard-table. A couple of chairmen in a night-cellar are as eager 
at all-fours, as a party at St. James' at a rubber of Whisk ; and the 
E. O. table is but a higher sort of Merry-go-round where you may 
risk or get six halfpence, sixpence, or six twopence for one. . . . 
To give a full idea of one wholly employed in this manner, I shall 
conclude with the character of Montano. 1 He was born heir to a 
Nobleman remarkable for deep play, from whom he early imbibed 
the principles of gambling. At school he was the most expert of 
any at taw ; and would often strip his schoolfellows of their whole 
week's allowance at Chuck. He was afterwards at the head of every 
cricket or football match, and when made Captain started a lottery. 

1 Bromley, Lord Montfort, Baron of Horseheath, who shot himself a few months 
after this paper was written. 



308 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

He is still talked of at the school for having tossed up with another 
of his own cast to decide by heads or tails which was the best scholar. 
He first reduced betting into an art, and made White's the grand 
market for wagers. He was the first that struck out the practice of 
pitting, in which he is so thoroughly versed, that the death of every 
person of quality may be said to bring him a legacy ; and he has so 
contrived the bets on his own life, that live or die the odds are in 
his favour. 



EXTRACT FROM A PAPER IN 'THE CONNOISSEUR' 
(No. IV.) A WEEKLY JOURNAL OF CRITICISM AND GENERAL 
CENSORSHIP IN THE YEARS 1754-55. 

I FIND the female part of my Readers exclaim against me for not 
having as yet paid my particular Addresses to the Fair, . . . and 
shall at present oblige the Ladies by celebrating an Order of Females 
lately sprung up amongst us, usually distinguished by the denomina- 
tion of Demi-Reps^ a word not to be found in any of our Dictionaries. 
This Order which seems daily increasing upon us, was first in- 
stituted by some Ladies eminent for their public Spirit, with a 
view of raising their half of the Species to a level with the other in 
unbounded licence of enjoyment. By this artifice the most open 
violation of modesty takes the name of innocent freedom and gaiety ; 
and as long as the last failing remains a secret the Lady's honour is 
spotless and untainted. In a word, a Demi-Rep is a lady whom 
everybody thinks, what nobody chuses to call her. 

It is absolutely necessary that every lady of this Order should be 
married. Custom has given a certain charm to Wedlock, which changes 
the colour of our actions, and renders that behaviour not improper, 
which in a state of celibacy would be accounted indecent and scandalous. 
. . . Religious and political writers have, both for different reasons, 
endeavoured to encourage frequent marriages : but this Order, if it 
maintains ground, will more certainly promote them. How in- 
viting must such a state appear to a Woman of Spirit ! An English 
Wife with all the indiscretions of a girl, may assume more than the 
privileges of a woman, may trifle publicly with the Beaux and 



APPENDIX 309 

Smarts, introduce them to her toilette, and fix it as a certain rule in 
all her conversation and behaviour, that when marriage has (in 
* Lucy's ' phrase) * made an honest woman of her,' she is entitled to 
all the licence of a Courtesan. I have lately seen with some com- 
passion, a few forward maidens investing themselves with the 
dignities, and incfoaching on the privileges of this Order. It may 
not be improper to warn them to reced in time. As their claim 
to these liberties is unwarranted by custom, they will not retain that 
ambiguous reputation enjoyed by the Demi-Reps, whose whole 
system of conduct is founded on the basis of matrimony. Every 
Lady therefore inclined to indulge herself in little innocent freedoms, 
should confine herself within the pale of matrimony, to elude censure, 
as insolvent debtors avoid a jail by lodging within the verge of the 
Court. A Demi-Rep then must necessarily be married ; nor is it 
easy for a Lady to maintain so critical a character unless she is a 
Woman of Fashion. Titles and Estate bear down weak censures 
and silence scandal and detraction. That good breeding too, so 
inviolably preserved among persons of condition, is of infinite service. 
This produces that delightful insipidity so remarkable among persons 
of quality, whose conversation flows with one even tenor, undisturbed 
with sentiment and unruffled by passion, insomuch that the whole 
circle of kindred and acquaintance can entertain the most thorough 
contempt and even hatred for each other, without transgressing the 
minutest article of good breeding and civility. But those females 
who want the advantages of birth and fortune, must be content to 
wrap themselves up in their integrity, and avoid the risk of bitter in- 
vectives thrown against them by the lower sort so notoriously 
deficient in politeness. The Great World will, I doubt not, return 
me thanks for thus keeping the Canaille at a distance, and securing 
to them a quiet possession of their privileges ; and here I cannot but 
observe how respectable an Order the Demi-Reps compose, of which 
the lovely Sisterhood must all be married and almost all Right 
Honourable. It is observed, that the difference between the several 
species in the scale of Beings, is but just sufficient to preserve their 
distinction, the highest of one Order approaching so near to the 
lowest of the other that the gradation is hard to determine as the 



310 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

Colours of the Rainbow, thro' an infinite variety of shades die away 
into each other imperceptibly. The Demi-Reps hold this inter- 
mediate station, between the modest Women and the Women of 
Pleasure, as they stand upon the utmost verge of reputation, and 
totter upon the brink of infamy. It were therefore to be wished that 
the Ladies wore some Symbol of their Order, as the Romans assigned 
different habits to Persons of different ages and stations, and I would 
fain hope that the new Parliament may find leisure to take such 
a matter into consideration, at some not too distant day, before we 
degenerate from bad to worse, while decency is yet alive among us, 
and the reputation of chastity still the aim of even a fine Lady of 
Fashion. 



EPIGRAM ON THE REVOLUTION IN I688. 1 

OF a Whimsical Nation I sing, 

Much troubled with frantical fits, 
Whose silly Conceit for a King 

Has put them quite out of their Wits ; 
And made them to send to the Hague, 

For a Doctor who liv'd in a Ditch ; 
Who brought with Him more than the Plague, 

To cure them of less than the I h. 



EPITAPH ON HECTOR. 

INSCRIPTION ON AN URN AT LORD CORKE'S TO THE 
MEMORY OF HIS DOG HECTOR. 

STRANGER, behold the mighty Hector's Tomb ! 
See to what end both Dogs and Heroes come ! 
These are the Honours by His Master paid, 
To Hector's Manes, and lamented Shade. 
Nor Word, nor Honour, can enough commend 
The Social Dog, nay more, the faithful Friend. 
1 Author not mentioned. , 



APPENDIX 311 

From Nature all his principles He drew, 
By Nature faithful, vigilant and true ; 
His Looks and Voice his inward thoughts express'd, 
He growled in anger, and in love caress'd ; 
No human falsehood lurk'd beneath his heart 
Brave without boasting, gen'rous without art. 
When Hector's Virtues Man, proud Man ! displays, 
Truth shall adorn his Tomb with Hector's praise. 



THE ELECTION OF A POET LAUREATE IN 1719. 



A FAMOUS Assembly was summoned of late, 
To crown a new Laureat came Phoebus in State ; 
With all that Montfaucon himself could desire, 
His Bow, Laurel, Harp and abundance of fire. 



All came with full confidence, flush'd with vain hope, 
From Gibber and Durfey, to Prior and Pope ; 
Phoebus smiled on these last, but yet ne'er the less 
Said he hoped they had now got enough from the Press. 

3 

Lampooners and critics rushed in like a tide, 
Stern Dennis and Gildon came first side by side ; 
Apollo confessed that their lashes had stings, 
But beadles, and hangmen were never chose Kings. 

4 

Steel long had so cunningly managed the Town, 
He could not be blamed for expecting the Crown, 
Apollo demurr'd as to granting his wish, 
But wished him success in his project offish. 



312 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

5 

Lame Congreve unable such pain to endure, 
Of Apollo begged either a crown or a cure ; 
To refuse such a writer Apollo was loth, 
And almost inclined to have granted him both. 

6 

When Buckingham came, he scarce cared to be seen, 
Till Phoebus desir'd his old friend to walk in ; 
But a Laureat Peer had never been known, 
The Commoners claim'd that place as their own. 

7 

Notwithstanding this law yet Lansdown was named, 
But Apollo with kindness his indolence blamed ; 
And said he would chuse him but that he shd fear 
An employment of trouble he never could bear. 

8 

A Prelate 1 for Wit and for Eloquence famed 

Apollo soon miss*d, and he need not be named, 

Since amidst a whole Bench, of which some are so bright, 

No one of them shines so learn'd and polite. 

9 

In p, Gay and Vanbrugh expected reward, 
For some things writ well, but Apollo declar'd, 
That one was too flat, the other too rough, 
And the third sure already had places enough. 

10 

Pert Bethell came next and demanded the bays, 
Said those works must be good which had Addison's praise ; 
But Apollo reply'd, Child Eustace, 'tis known, 
Most authors will praise whatsoever 's their own. 
1 Dr. Atterbury, Bishop of Rochester. 



APPENDIX 313 



ii 

Then Phillips came forth as staunch as a Quaker, 
Whose simple profession 's a Pastoral maker ; 
Apollo advised him from Play-house to keep, 
And pipe to naught else but his dog and his sheep. 

12 

Hughes, Fenton and Gay came last in the train, 
Too modest to ask for the Crown they wd gain, 
Phoebus thought them too bashful and said they wd 

need 
More boldness if ever they hoped to succeed. 

13 

Apollo now brought to a certain quandary, 

Was wishing for Swift, or the fam'd Lady Mary ; 

Nay, had honest Tom Southerne but been within 

call, 
But at last he grew wanton and laugh'd at them all. 



And so, spying One l who came only to gaze, 
A hater of Verse, and despiser of plays, 
To him in great form without any delay 
(Tho* a zealous fanatic) presented the Bay. 

15 

Yet some thought the vacancy open was kept, 
Concluding the Bigot would never accept, 
But the Hypocrite told them he well understood, 
Tho' the function was wicked, the Stipend was good. 

1 ?Walpole. 



3H THE ORRERY PAPERS 

16 

At last in rush'd Eusden, and cry'd ' who shall have it 
*But I, the true Laureat to whom the King gave it ?' 
Apollo begg'd pardon, and granted his claim, 
But vow'd that till then he ne'er heard of his name. 

BY J. SHEFFIELD, 
Duke of Buckingham and Normanby. 1 



POLITICAL STANZA. 

WHENE'ER my foolish bent to public good, 
Or fonder zeal for some misguided Prince, 

Shall make my dang'rous humour understood, 
For changing ministers for men of sense ; 

When vainly proud to show my public care, 
And e'en ashamed to see three Nations fooled, 

I shall no longer bear a wretched share 
In ruling ill, or being over-ruled ; 

Who knows but my example then may please 

Such noble, hopeful spirits as appear, 
Willing to slight their pleasures and their ease 

For Fame and Honour, till at last they hear, 

After much trouble borne and danger run, 
The Crown assisted, and my country served, 

Without good Fortune I had been undone, 
Without a good Estate I might have starved ! 

D. OF B. 

1 The Duke of Buckingham was considered to be secretly disappointed at not 
being chosen. 



II is Grace. JOHN WuXVf HlJCKI \(JI I AM 

<ri/srn . (ut/ter jfff tftr/</ Scr. frcm ftntfiy nsn- m 





. ^ . 



APPENDIX 315 



THE RECONCILEMENT. 

COME ! let us now resolve at last 

To live and love in quiet ; 
We '11 tie the knot so very fast 

That Time shall ne'er untie it. 

The truest Joys they seldom prove 

Who free from quarrels live, 
'Tis the most tender part of love 

Each other to forgive. 

When least I seemed concern'd I took 

No pleasure, nor no rest ; 
And when I feign'd an angry look, 

Alas ! I lov'd you best. 

Own but the same to me you '11 find 

How blest will be our fate ; 
Oh ! to be happy, to be kind, 

Sure never is too late. 

D. OF BUCKINGHAM. 

The Duke of B. also wrote some prose Reflections and a Character 
of Charles n., but neither of these is to be compared to the clear and 
pointed style of the Marquess of Halifax on the same subjects j while 
his character of the Earl of Rochester, in a poem in satire, is as just 
as severe : 

* Last enter Rochester, of sprightly wit, 
Yet not for converse safe or business fit, 
Mean in each action, lewd in ev'ry limb, 
Manners themselves are mischievous in him.' 

Dryden's lines on this Duke are less known than many others 
they end thus : 

1 In Council or Debate 
True to his Prince but slave unto no State,' 

which may be taken as a just appreciation of his character. 



316 THE ORRERY PAPERS 



A POEM IN IMITATION OF THE STYLE OF 
H.R.H. FK. P. OF W. 

I LOVE with all my Heart, 

The Hanoverian Part, 

And for its Settlement 

My Conscience gives Consent : 

Most righteous is their cause 
Who fight by George's laws, 
This is my Mind and Heart 
Though none should take my Part. 

The Tory Party here 
Most hateful doth appear ; 
I ever have denied 
To be on Charlie's side ; 

Who fight for such a King 
Will England's Ruin bring ; 
In this Opinion I 
Resolve to live and dye. 



PARODY ON A POEM CALLED *THE CHARMS OF SYLVIA.' The 
first line of which runs ' 'Tis not the liquid brightness of those 
Eyes,' and thro' several verses continues in like strain. 

'Tis not her Foot, 'tis not her Toe, 
'Tis not her Knee, 'tis not her Calf, 
'Tis not her Wink, 'tis not her Laugh, 
'Tis not her Hair, nor Cheek that glows, 
'Tis not her Ear, 'tis not her Nose, 
'Tis not her Figure lithe and lissom, 
'Tis not her neck, nor e'en her Bosom 
No : 'tis that corresponding Tongue 
That never puts me in the wrong ! 



APPENDIX 317 

A SONG ON THE FIFTH OF NOVEMBER. 
BY MR. HAWKINS, OF PEMBROKE COLLEGE, OXON. 

SOME twelve Months ago, a hundred, or so, 

The Pope went to visit the Devil ; 
And if you '11 attend, you '11 find to a Friend 

Old Nick can behave very civil. 

Oh ho ! quoth the Sieur, what a Plague brought you here ? 

To be sure 'twas some whimsical Maggot ; 
Come draw tow'rd the Fire ; nay prithee sit nigh'r, 

Here Sirrah, lay on 'tother Faggot. 

You 're welcome to H 1, I hope Friends are well, 

At Paris, Madrid, and at Rome, 
But now you elope, I suppose honest Pope, 

The Conclave will hang out a Broom. 

Then his Holyness cry'd, all jesting aside, 

(Give the Pope and the Devil their Dues), 
Take my Word for't, old Lad, I '11 make thy Heart glad, 

For Faith I have brought Thee rare News. 

There 's a Plot to beguile, an obstinate Isle, 

Great Britain, that Heretick Nation, 
Who so slyly behav'd, in Hopes to be saved 

By the Help of a d d Reformation. 

We shall never have done, if we burn One by One, 

Nor destroy the whole Heretick Race ; 
For when One is dead, like the fam'd Hydra's Head, 

Another starts up in his Place. 

Believe me, Old Nick, we '11 now play a Trick, 

A Trick that shall serve for the Nonce, 
This Day before Dinner, or else I 'm a Sinner, 

We '11 kill all the Rascals at once. 



318 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

There 's Powder enough and combustible Stuff 

In thirty and odd trusty Barrells, 
Shall blow all together, the Lord can tell whether, 

And decide at one Blow all our Quarrels. 

When the Parliament meets, and All try their Wits, 

To consult over old musty Papers, 
We '11 give them a Greeting, shall blow up the Meeting, 

And try who can cut the best Capers. 

When the King and his son, and the Parliament 's gone, 

And the People are left in the Lurch, 
Kings shall take their old Station, you d the Nation, 

And I shall be Head of the Church. 

These Things were scarce said, but in popp'd the Head 

Of an old Jesuistical Wight, 
Who cried You 're mistaken, they Ve all sav'd their Bacon, 

And Jemmy still sweats with the Fight. 

Then Satan was struck, and cry'd 'Tis ill-luck, 
But you for your Pains shall be thanked j 

So he call'd at the Door, six Devils or more, 
And they toss'd the poor Dog in a Blanket ! 



EPITAPH ON HARRIOT, COUNTESS OF ORRERY, 

YOUNGEST DAUGHTER OF THE EARL AND COUNTESS OF ORKNEY, 

FIRST WIFE OF JOHN, EARL OF CORK AND ORRERY. 

IF purest Virtue, Sense refin'd in Youth, 

Religious Wisdom, and a love of Truth, 

A mind that knew no thought ignobly mean, 

A Temper sweetly cheerful, yet serene, 

A Breast that glow'd with those immortal fires 

Which Godlike Charity alone inspires ; 



APPENDIX 319 

If these could lengthen Fate's tremendous doom, 
And snatch one moment from the gaping Tomb 
Death had relenting thrown his dart aside, 
And Harriot, Oh ! my Harriot had not died. 

ORRERY. 



CONCLUDING LINES OF LORD ORRERY'S STANZA 
ON HIS FATHER'S DEATH. 

FAR from the busy Crowd I sit forlorn, 
Nor can my anguish ever have an end, 
I weep a Father, but I Ve lost a Friend. 



AN EPITAPH UPON MISS PIN. 

THE Female who within this Tomb is laid 
Departed hence nor Widow, Wife nor Maid. 
Titles she boasted not nor gentle Kin 
But Sense and Beauty, and her name was Pin. 
Obscure, she lived an easy chearful life 
Refused no friendship and provoked no Strife 
With those She lik'd not, now and then too loud, 
And ev'n with those She did too often proud. 
No Christian She, Mahometan or Jew, 
But to the God of Epicurus true ; 
For She ne'er bore a Pain She could avoid, 
And ev'ry Pleasure, She could seize enjoy'd : 
By no Law, Rule or Principle e'er sway'd 
But what her Appetite or Passions made. 
She drank when thirsty, eat when Hunger mov'd, 
Rested when weary, and, when tender, lov'd. 
She to no Tyrant own'd herself a Slave, 
But to her Friend her willing Service gave 
And tho' four legs this Female had, 'tis true 
I know of few so good, who have but two. 



320 THE ORRERY PAPERS 

MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTION OVER A FAVOURITE HORSE 
OF LORD ORRERY'S IN THE GARDENS AT MARSTON. 

Hie sepultus est 
REX NOBBY. 

Equorum Princeps 
Omnium sui generis 
Longe praestantissimus 

ob. 12 Feb. 1754. aetatis 34. 

On the other side is inscribed : 

Under this urn are interred the bones of King Nobby, a 
horse who was superlatively beautiful in his kind. He loved 
his master with an affection far exceeding the love of 
brutes. He had sense, courage, strength, majesty, spirit 
and obedience. He never started, he never tript, he never 
stumbled. He lived to an uncommon age, and till within 
two years of his death retained all his natural excellencies 
and vigour. His limbs were sound to his last moments, he 
having enjoyed the peculiar felicity of scarce ever having 
been lame or sick during the long course of his life. 

Gentleman's Magazine, May 1780. 

EPITAPH. 

IN Preston Church, near Faversham, 'over y e Bodies of Roger and 
Joan, who are couchant, is written in Gold Letters upon a Black 
Marble Plate': 

1 Here lyeth entombed the Body of Roger Boyle, late of this Parish 
of Preston, Esq., who descended of y e antient and worthy Family of 
y e Boyles in Hereford-shire. As also y e Body of Joan his Faithfull 
and loving Wife, Daughter of John Nayler of y e City of Canterbury, 
Gentleman, who, as they lived and loved together, so were both here 
buryed together, leaving behind them Three Sons and Two Daughters 
here under depictured.' 




a-S^avJur, 



APPENDIX 321 

* Over y e Head of the Earl of Cork, who is kneeling in Armour at 
the Head of his Father and Mother ' : 

'Sr Richard Boyle Knight, Lord Boyle Baron of Yoghall, Viscount 
Dongarvan, Earle of Corke, and One of y e Lords of his Majesty's 
Honourable Privy Councel in Ireland, Second Son to the said Roger 
and Joan, married Katherine, only Daughter of Sr Geffrey Fenton, 
Knight, Secretary of State in Ireland, by whom he hath a plentiful and 
hopeful Posterity, whereof Five Sons and Eight Daughters are now 
living who in Memory of his virtuous and worthy Parents caused this 
Monument to be erected : 

* These Three Writings are between the Two Daughters and 
Youngest Son, who are kneeling in ye Front under Roger and Joan : 

' Elizabeth Boyle, y e Eldest Daughter of the said Roger and Joan, 
married Piers Power Esq. and by him hath Issue : 

* Hugh Boyle, Youngest Son of the said Roger and Joan in his 
Travel in forreign Kingdoms was slain in the Wars before he had 
Issue. 

* Mary Boyle, Second Daughter of the said Roger and Joan 
married Sr Richard Smith Knight, and by him hath Issue.' 



TO A LADY. 

UPON HER ASKING THE AUTHOR WHERE HE THOUGHT HE SHOULD 
BE THAT TIME TWELVE MONTHS. 

(Written offhand.') 

FORBEAR dearest with a fruitless desire, 
Into Truths which are better conceal'd, to enquire, 
Who anticipate Care their own Pleasure destroy, 
And invite Disappointment who build upon Joy ; 
Perhaps many years are allow'd me by Fate, 
Or next Winter perhaps is the last of their Date. 
Let the credulous Fools whom Astrologers cheat 
Or exult or despond as they vary Deceit j 
All our Ills unforeseen we the better endure ; 
What avails to foresee unless Foresight can cure ? 
VOL. II. X 



322 ORRERY PAPERS 

And from Ills by their Art how can Wretches be freed, 
When that Art must be false, or those Ills be decreed ? 
Then, no more on Hereafter thy Wishes employ, 
Who live but to the Future, the Present destroy. 
From Reflection and Hope little Pleasure we find, 
To possession alone let thy thoughts be confin'd 
Even now while I scribble, Time steals on my Youth, 
And a moment cuts off from thy Friendship and Truth. 
As To-day 's all the Treasure poor Mortals can boast, 
For To-morrow 's not captur'd, and Yesterday 's lost 
Then annex the swift Blessing, enjoy the clear Now, 
And receive not expect what Hereafter '11 bestow. 

o. 



VELLEM NESCIRE LITERAS. 

EXTEMPORE EPIGRAM SPOKEN ON THAT SUBJECT IN 
WESTMINSTER SCHOOL. 

OXFORD, no more with Pride your Bodley own, 
And, Cambridge, grieve to see yourself outdone. 
Your choicest Manuscripts can only show 
What the World thought some hundred years ago. 
'Tis London justly boasts her Sterling Wit, 
More strong than yours, and more succintly writ. 
What are your Volumes, but long learned scrawl ? 
One single Scrip of Hers, shall buy them all : 
One short, but comprehensive, Note of Hand, 
To Self or Order paid upon Demand ! 
Oxford and Cambridge, drop your poor Pretence, 
The Bank of England is the Fund of Sense ! 



INDEX 



ADDISON, JOSEPH, ii. 6. 

Akenside, Ode to Earl of Huntingdon, 

ii. 21. 
Albemarle, Christopher, Duke of, Reply 

to Duke of Monmouth, i. 3. 
Allen, Viscount, i. 190 and note. 

Viscountess, i. 146. 

Altham, Lady, i. 287 note, 288, 289-294. 

Lord, i. 289-294. 

Andover, Lord, ii. 60. 

Anglesey, Earl of, and Annesley, letters 

concerning, i. 282, 284, 287. 

Richard, Earl of, i. 289, 294. 

Anglesey Estate, ii. 197. 

Annesley v. Anglesey, Trial, i. 284 seqq. , 

293- 

Anson, Lord, Voyage Round the World, 

ii. 31. 

Antrim, Lady, i. 207. 
Apsley, Joan (Countess of Cork), ix. 
Argyle, Duke of, i. 148 note, 256. 
Atterbury, Dr., Bishop of Rochester 

Death, i. 1 1 2. 

Imprisonment and exile, i. 41 note. 

Letters to Duchess of Buckingham, 

i. 32-41. 
Aylesbury, Earl of, i. 306 ; ii. 61. 

B 

BADHAM, BRETTRIDGE, L 127, 150, 232 

and note ; ii. 221. 
Ballantine, James, ii. 56. 
Bandon Bridge, distich on gates, xi. 
Barber, Mrs., i. 223 ; ii. 103, 107. 
Barrimore (Barry more), Earl of, i. 229 

note, 256 and note ; ii. 145, 187. 
Barry, actor, i. 288, 303. 

Baron, i. 233. 

Dr. Edward, xvi ; i. I2O, 130, 134, 

136, 165, 171, 180, 190, 212, 213, 214, 



218, 228, 244, 259, 273, 289 ; ii. 35, 37 
note, 51, 80, 98, 163, 189, 207, 245, 247, 
258. 

Barry, Dr. Edward, Letters to John, Earl 
of Orrery, i. 145, 150, 154, 155, 158, 
160, 161, 164, 167, 173, 176, 184, 186, 
188, 194, 201, 237, 282, 297 ; ii. 27, 
36, 89, 96, 101, 103, 108, 117, 120, 123, 
125, 129. 

Letters to Lord Corke, ii. 132, 

133. 135- 

Lady Kitty, i. 229 and note. 

Bath and Wells, Thomas Ken, Bishop of, 

letters to Queen Mary, i. 6, 9, II. 
Bath, Lord, ii. 176-180. 
Bath, society at, i. 102-103. 
Bathurst, Earl, i. 33, 34, 38, 41, 197, 249. 
Bayle, ii. 9. 
Beaufort, Dr., ii. 187. 
Duchess of, ii. 171 and note, 173, 

278. 

Duke of, ii. 244, 279. 

Bedford (Lady Diana Spencer), Duchess 

of, i. 219; ii. 189. 
Duke of, i. 219, 220, 256, 257 ; ii. 19, 

25, 78, 130, 131. 189. 
Bedyngfield, Sir Henry, ii. 85. 
Belmore, ist Earl of, ii. 142 note. 
Bentley Controversy, xii ; i. 21 note. 
Dr., i. 19 ; and fire in Cotton Library, 

i. 114. 

Bergen-op-Zoom, siege of, ii. 5, 7. 
Berkshire, Earl of, i. 162; ii. iS6. 
Berne, i. 26. 

Bernis, Cardinal de, i. 50 note. 
Berwick, Duke of, destroys Charleville 

House, xi. 
Bingley, Robert Benson, Baron, i. 54 and 

note. 

Birch, Rev. T., i. 319; ii. 38. 
Letters to Earl of Orrery, i. 302, 

308 ; ii. 5, 7, 14, 19, 42, 48. 

323 



3*4 



ORRERY PAPERS 



Bolingbroke, Henry St. John, Viscount, 

xvi; i. 249; ii. 94, in. 
Letters to Earl of Orrery, i. 97 ; 

ii. 88, 95. 

Bolton, Duchess of, ii. 262. 
Bourbon, Duke of, i. 42. 
Bourne, Vinny, i. 246. 
Bowen, Herbert, letter to John, Earl of 

Orrery, ii. II. 
Bower, Archibald, History of the Popes, 

ii. 2O ; Universal History, ibid. 
Boyle, Lady Betty (Worsley), ii. 54, 55, 

68, 71, 290. 

Lady Charlotte, ii. 23, 183. 

Lady Dorothy, ii. 161, 293-294. 

Lady Elizabeth, Countess of Barry- 
more, i. 256. 

Family vault, ii. 290. 

John Lord (see Orrery, John, Earl 

of). 
Hon. Hamilton, i. 303 ; ii. 21, 33, 

34- 

Letters to his father, ii. 9, 12. 

Rt. Hon. Henry(ist Earl of Shannon), 

ii. 78, 84, 1 02 seqq. 

Letter to Earl of Orrery, ii. 82. 

Lord, son of John, Earl of Orrery, 

i. 247, 252, 253, 254, 259, 263, 299, 301, 
306; ii. 3, 17, 27, 54, 55, 90, 115, 150, 
158, 164, 167, 168, 189, 194, 195, 236. 

(Lord Dungarvan), ii. 203 note, 

290. 

Letter to his father, i. 310. 

Boyle Monument in Preston Church, 
ii. 320. 

Boyle, Richard (see Cork, 1st Earl of). 

Bradley, Dr., ii. 15. 

Bridgewater, Duke of, ii. 17, 23. 

Brittwell, i. 48 and note, 63, 87, 92, 114. 

Broghill Castle, ii. 240, 243. 

Lord (see Orrery, 1st Earl of). 

Brownlow, Lady Betty, i. 178. 

Broxolme, Dr., i. 179. 

Buckingham and Normanby, Catherine, 
Duchess of, i. 24, 32, 33 note, 41 note, 
153, 165, 225 and note ; ii. 161 note. 

Her sapphire ring, i. 224 ; 

ii. 291. 

Dukedom, i. 24. 

Edmund, Duke of, i. 24, 35. 

John, Duke of, i. 23, 287, 289. 

Lines by, ii. 311, 314, 315. 



Buckingham House, i. 37 ; ii. 3. 
Budgett, Mr. , i. 226 and note. 
Burlington, Earl of Cork and, i. 151, 185 ; 

ii. 12, 79, 80, 92, 161, 293, 294. 
Bush, Miss, i. 221. 
Byrd, W. , Commissioner for settling bounds 

between Virginia and North Carolina, 

i. 79- 
Letters to Charles, Earl of Orrery, 

i- 30. 57, 59, 79- 

Letters to John, Lord Boyle, i. 49, 63, 

88, 117. 



CAESAR, MRS., i. 199. 

Caledon Estate, xvii ; i. 239, 240, 241, 269, 

271, 282, 301, 302, 307 ; ii. 3, 38, 57, 

218, 227, 231, 237, 241, 242. 
Cambray, Congress at, i. 79. 
Carew, Thomas, ii. 23, 44, 55. 

Letter to John, Earl of Orrery, ii. 16. 

Carnarvon, Marchioness of, ii. 72 and note. 

Caroline, Queen, i. 64 note. 

Carpenter, Lord and Lady, i. 244 and 

note. 
Carte, Thomas, ii. 32, 116; letter to Earl 

of Orrery, ii. 29. 

History of England, ii. 39, 45. 

Life of ' \st Duke of Ormonde, i. 180, 

183, 193, 236. 
Carteret, Lady Louisa, Lady Weymouth, 

i. 222 note. 
Viscount and Baron, i. 222 note, 256 ; 

ii. 174, 178. 
Gary, Walter, i. 198. 
Cecil, Colonel, i. 217; ii. 1 86. 
Lady Elizabeth (Countess of Orrery), 

xiv. 

William, i. 66, 234, 252. 

Chamberleyn, Dr., i. 32 note, 35. 
Chandos, James Dryden, 1st Duke of, 

ii. 72 note, 196, 198. 
Chapman, Miss Die, i. 49. 
Charles II., x. 

vn., Emperor, his death, ii. 198. 

Edward, Young Pretender, i. 5 note. 

Charlett, Dr.,i. 19 note', letter to Charles 

Boyle, i. 19. 
Charleville House, xi. 
Charters, i. 70. 
Chesterfield, Philip, 5th Earl of, xvi; 



INDEX 



325 



i. 256, 304, 320; ii. 6, 13, 16, 27, 28 

and note, 80, 163, 164, 179, 205. 
Chesterfield, Philip, 5th Earl of, his re- 
signation, ii. 18, 19. 

Letter to Prior, ii. 40, 42. 

Chevalier St. George, i. 5 and note ; ii. 181, 

184. 

Cholmondeley, Lord, ii. 179. 
Cibber, Colley, letter to Mrs. Pilkington, 

i. 314. 

Mrs., i. 303 ; ii. 64. 

Clancarthy, Lord, i. 132 note. 

Clayton, Dr., Bishop of Cork, i. 206 ; ii. 

102, 108, 222. 

Cleeland, Major, i. too, 103, 105, 109, 114. 
Clogher, Bishop of, ii. 222, 246. 
Clonbrazil, Lord, ii. 130 and note. 
Cloyne, Berkeley, Bishop of, i. 196, 213, 

224. 

Letter to John, Earl of Orrery, ii. 4. 

Cobham, Lord, i. 224, 309. 

Codrington, Colonel, i. 20. 

Coke, Lady Mary, ii. 64. 

Lord and Lady Mary, extract of letter 

on, ii. 58. 

Comet in 1749, ii. 53. 
Congrave, Archdeacon, ii. 224. 
Convention (1739), i. 256. 
Conway, Field-Marshal, i. 306 seqq. 
Cooper, Lord, i. 33. 
Cork, Browne, Bishop of, i. 168, 177, 180, 

196, 219. 

Richard Boyle, ist Earl of, ix ; i. 66. 

2nd Earl of, i. 142. 

Corke, Earl of, ii. 132, 133, 135. 

Coste, D., i. 38. 

Courtney, Sir William, ii. 92. 

Cowper, William, ii. 57, 67, 75. 

Cox, Sir Richard, i. 176. 

Cromwell, Oliver, Instrument signed by, 

i. I. 
Cumberland, Duke of, i. 297. 



DACIER, MME., translation of Pyrrha, 

i. 170 and note. 

Dalawell (Delaval), ii. 71 and note. 
Davenant, Mr., i. 25. 
De Clifford Barony, i. 85 note. 
Dean, Robert, i. 201. 



Delany, Dr., i. 144, 184, 223, 287, 297. 
Derry, Bishop of, i. 144; ii. 96, 189, 259. 

Letter to Earl of Orrery, i. 310. 

Dettingen, account of battle of, 5. 294, 296. 
Devonshire, Duchess of, ii. 232 and note. 

Duke of, i. 198 ; ii. 165. 

Don Carlos, i. no. 

Philip, ii. 5. 

Donellan, Miss, i. 169, 177, 192, 201, 213, 

221. 

Donovan, Miss, i. 294. 
Dopping, Dean, ii. 142 and note, 144, 146. 

Mrs., ii. 126. 

Dorset, Duke of, i. 92, 144, 198 ; ii. 12, 

37 note, 78, 83, 103, 105, 120, 173, 194, 

259, 260, 271. 

Entertainment at Dublin, i. 125. 

Letter to Earl of Orrery, ii. 21. 

ist Duke of, xi. 

Earl of, xi. 

Dryden, i. 23 ; on Duke of Buckingham, 

" 3I5- 

Du Bos, Abbe, ii. 15. 
Dublin Advertiser, extract from, ii. 121. 
Dufferin, Marquis of, ii. 130 note. 
Dunkirk, ii. 28. 
Dysart, Lionel, Earl of, ii. 72 note. 



E 

ECKLIN, CHARLES, i. 214 ; ii. 30. 

Mrs. , ii. 30. 

Egmont, Lord, ii. 62. 
Emilia, Princess, at Tunbridge Wells, i. 8l. 
Empson and Dudley, i. 76, 77 note. 
Epigram on Revolution of 1688, ii. 310. 
Epitaph on Hector, ii. 310. 

on Miss Pin, ii. 319. 

Euston, Lord, and Lady Dorothy Boyle, 
ii. 293-294. 



FAULKNER, GEORGE, Dublin bookseller, 
xvi ; i. 132, 135 note, 200 ; ii. 23, 90. 

Interview with Earl of Kildare, 

ii. Il8 seqq. 

Fenton, Catherine (Countess of Cork), ix. 

Mr., tutor to John, Lord Boyle, xv. 

Sir Geoffrey, ix. 

Femes, Edward Syng, Bishop of, i. 211. 



326 



ORRERY PAPERS 



Ferreby, Rev. , i. 130, 246 and note. 

Verses on marriage of Lord and Lady 

Orrery, ii. 160. 
Fielding, Foundling, ii. 14, 43, 49, 285 ; 

Amelia, Joseph Andrews, 285, 286. 
Finch, Lady Elizabeth, Baroness Bingley, 

i. 54 note. 

Fingall, Lady, i. 196. 
Fitz-Gerald, Mr., i. 246, 261, 281 ; ii. 12. 
Fitz- Maurice, Lord, i. 197. 
Fitzosborn, Sir Thomas, ii. 14. 
Foley, Lord, letter to Earl of Orrery, 

ii. 105. 
Folkes, Martin, letter to Earl of Orrery, 

ii. 52. 
Forrester, Alexander, i. 298 ; ii. 33, 1 14, 

202. 
Letters to John, Earl of Orrery, i. 305 ; 

'ii. 17. 

Fox, George Lane, i. 55 note. 
Frasier, confidential attendant of James II., 

i. 4, 73 and note, 74. 
Friend, Dr. Robert, i. 114. 
Frome Selwood, Boyles' family vault at, 

ii. 290. 



GARRICK, the actor, i. 288, 289, 303; 

ii. 8, 43, 64, 93, 173, 207, 285. 
Gay, the poet, i. 29. 
Gemini, ii. 156 and note. 
George I., i. 46. 
George II., i. 64, no, 256, 297; ii. 164; 

and Prince of Wales, i. 202. 
Glassneven, i. 171 and note, 184. 
Gower, Lord, i. 219 note, 220, 256 ; ii. 25. 
Grafton, Duke of, ii. 293, 294. 
Graham, inventor of Orrery, xiii. 
Gramont, Duke de, i. 297. 
Granger, Sieur, ii. 6. 
Gresiden, Lord, i. 32. 
Grosvenor, Sir R., ii. 17. 
Gunnings, Miss, ii. 203 note. 

H 

HALIFAX, EARL, i. 27. 

Hamilton, Anne, Duchess of, ii. 169 and 

note. 

Duke and Duchess of, ii. 203 and note. 

Lady Harriet (see Orrery, Harriet, 

Countess of). 



Hamilton, Margaret (see Orrery, Margaret, 

Countess of). 

Captain William, ii. 142 note. 

Hanoverian troops, motion for retention 

of, ii. 178 seqq. 
Harcourt, Lord, i. 32. 
Harrington, 1st Earl of, ii. 37 note. 
Hartington, Lord, ii. 23, 27, 28 note, 81. 
Hawkins, ' Song on 5th of November,' 

ii. 317. 

Hawnes (Haynes), i. 222 and note. 
Hearne, Thomas, i. 132. 
Herbert, Lord, i. 76-77. 
Hervey, Lord, i. 256, 257 ; ii. 192. 
Hippisley, Sir John, i. 66. 
Hoadley, Dr., The Married Coquet, i. 303. 
Hoathe, Lord and Lady of, i. 191. 
Homer, Mrs. Strangways, i. 88, 250 and 

note, 254. 
Howard, Lady Margaret (Countess of 

Orrery), x. 

Hozier, Admiral, i. 79. 
Hutchinson, Archibald, i. 89. 



I 

Ignoramus, ii. 9, II. 
Inchiquin, Lord, i. 1 1 6, 237 note. 
Instrument signed by Oliver Cromwell, i. I. 
Islay, Lord, i. 256, 257. 



JAMES n., i. 2, 3, 5 note, 6. 

and Catherine Sedley, i. 41 noti, 225 

note ii. 162 note. 

Original letter of, i. 4. 

James vi. and I., ii. 291. 

James, Duke of Monmouth, letter to Duke 

of Albemarle, i. 2. 

Jervas, portrait of Swift, i. 28 and note. 
Jessell, Mrs., i. 9. 
Johnson, Esther, i. 277 and note. 

Dr. Samuel, ii. 43, 99. 

Letter to Earl of Orrery, ii. in. 

London, English Dictionary, 

ii. 6, 8. 



KALAAN, COUNSELLOR, i. 131. 
Keble, Nic. (C.S.), i. 2. 



INDEX 



327 



Kempe, John, i. 42, 67, 70, 77, 82, 92, 

95. 99, 102, 107, 138, 152, 175, 218, 

240; ii. 150. 

Illness and death, ii. 243, 244. 

Kendal, Duchess of, ii. 191. 

Kildare, Earl of (Marquis of Kildare and 

Duke of Leinster), i. 144, 183, 206 ; 

ii. 102, 104, 187, 233 and note. 

Interview with Faulkner, ii. 118 seqq. 

Letter to Margaret Hamilton, ii. 141. 

Killarney, i. 196. 

Killigrew, Mr., i. 129. 

King, Dr., xvi ; i. 264 and note, 301, 308 ; 

i, 17, 33, 52. 54, 66, 67, 75, 165, 

168, 173, 183, 214, 251. 

Art of Cookery, ii. 15. 

Letters to John, Earl of Orrery, 

i. 312 ; ii. 68. 
Kingston, Duke of, i. 219 note. 



LEAKE, Bath bookseller, i. 99. 

Lely, portrait of Lady Elizabeth Cecil, 

Countess of Orrery, xiv. 
Lewis, Erasmus, letter to Earl of Orrery, 

ii. 89. 

Limerick, Burscough, Bishop of, i. 145. 
Lines on Election of a Poet Laureate, 

ii. 311. 

Lisle, John (C.S.), i. 2. 
Lister, Dr., i. 42. 

' Little Jack Horner,' origin of, i. 250 note. 
Littleton (Lyttelton), Mr., ii. 5, 14. 
-^ and Thomson, ii. 43. 

Monody, ii. 8. 

Lonsdale, Earl of, i. 256, 257. 
Louis xiv., i. 22. 

John, Earl of Orrery on, i. 105. 

Louis xv., i. 42. 

Lovat, Lord, i. 309. 

Lowe, Mrs., i. 63. 

Luc, Count du, i. 26. 

Lumley, Lord, i. 23, 24. 

Lyon, John, letter to Earl of Orrery, ii. 87. 

M 

MACCLESFIELD, EARL OF, ii. 15. 
Madden, Dr. Premium, ii. 241. 
Madding, Dean, ii. 42, 145, 154. 
Maestricht, ii. 28. 



Mahomet, ii. 123 and note. 

Mann, Sir Horace, ii. 294. 

Manning, F., i. 25. 

Marchmont, Lord, ii. 206. 

Marie Leckzinska, Queen of Louis XV., 

i. 42, 45. 

Marivaux, Marianne, ii. 7. 
Markham, Jack, i. 23, 24. 
Marlborough, Duchess of, i. 132 note, 219, 

220 ; ii. 162 note. 

Duke of, xiii ; ii. 7, 178, 206. 

Marlow, William, ii. 32. 

Marston, i. 66, 97, 99, 113, 121, 124, 129, 

165, 189, 209, 218, 221, 229, 241, 254, 

264, 269, 297 ; ii. 56, 97, 109, 115, ii 8, 

159, 189, 201, 220, 225, 244. 
Maurepas, Count de, ii. 50. 

Maurice, Rev. , i. 210. 

' Witch of Endor,' i. 211. 

Maxwell, Mrs., ii. 249, 253. 

Mr., 261. 

Rev. John, ii. 53, 109. 

Mead, Dr., xvi; letters to John, Earl of 

Orrery, ii. 36, 45, 47, 55, 61, 80, 108, 

163, 167, 175, 245, 270. 
Melmoth, W., i. 307. 

Translation of Pliny, ii. 14. 

Merewether, John, letter to Earl of Orrery, 

ii. 85. 
Middleton, Dr., ii. 49, 51, 80, no. 

Life of Cicero, i. 255, 309. 

Middleton, Earl of, i. 22 ; letter on turning 

Roman Catholic, i. n. 
Millard's Hill, ii. 98. 
Monckton, Hon. Mary (Countess of 

Orrery), xvii. 

Monmouth, Robert Carey, Earl of, ii. 291. 
Moore, The Foundling, ii. 8, 20, 43. 
Mountcashel, Lord, i. 167. 
Mountjoy, Viscount, i. 145 ; ii. 151* 
Mulgrave, John Sheffield, Earl of (Duke 

of Buckingham and Normanby), i. 4, 

24. 
Mutiny Bill, ii. 62. 



N 

NEWCASTLE, DUKE or, i. 75 note, 257 ; 

ii. 7, 19, 25, 26, 37, 180. 
Newton, Dr., edition of Paradise Lost, 

ii. no. 



328 



ORRERY PAPERS 



Nichols, Dr., i. 246, 259, 281. 
Norfolk, Duke of, i. 256 ; ii. 9, 293. 
Normanby Marquisate, i. 24. 
North, William, 6th Baron, i. 51 and note. 



O'BRIEN FAMILY, i. n6, 237 note. 

Oldfield, Mrs., i. 67. 

Orange, Prince of, marriage, i. 125 note. 

Orford, Lord, ii. 171. 

Orkney, Countess of, i. 88. 

Earl of, xiv, xvi note ', i. 89, 92, 176, 

79 198 ; ii. 164. 

Orrery, Charles, 4th Earl of, ix ; i. 25, 
30, 87, 88, 90, 91. 

Attitude towards Atterbury,i.4i. 

Illness and death, i. 94, 95. 

Sketch of his career, xii-xiv. 

Edmund, 7th Earl, xvii. 

Harriett, Countess of, xvi ; i. 68, 79, 

94- 

Illness and death, i. 119; 

ii. 289. 

Epitaph, ii. 318. 

John, 5th Earl of (5th Earl of Cork), 

ix ; i. 19 note, 24. 

Attitude towards Atterbury, 

i. 41. 

Attitude towards Walpole, i. 

75 note. 

Authors read by, i. 105. 

Birth of his eldest son, i. 82, 83. 

Burial-place, ii. 290. 

Characteristics, xiv, xv ; ii. 288. 

Death, ii. 288. 

Death of his first wife, i. 119 ; 

epitaph on, ii. 318. 

Extempore epigram, ii. 322. 

His second marriage, i. 239. 

Letters to 

Viscountess Allen, i. 146. 
Lord Andover, ii. 60. 
James BaHantine, ii. 56- 
Mrs. Barber, i. 223. 
Dr. Barry, i. 130, 134, 136, 165, 169, 
171, 190, 198,218, 228, 244, 259, 
273; . 5*i 76, 80, 98, 107. 
Earl of Barrymore, i. 256. 
Lord Bathurst, i. 197. 
Earl of Berkshire, i. 162. 
Rev. T. Birch, i. 319 ; ii. 38. 



Orrery, John, 5th Earl of, Letters to 
Lord Bolingbroke, ii. 94. 
Hon. Hamilton Boyle, i. 303 ; ii. 34. 
Right Hon. Henry Boyle, ii. 78, 81, 

84, 92. 

Duchess of Buckingham, i. 225. 
W. Byrd, i. 53, 63, 84. 
Mrs. Caesar, i. 199. 
Thomas Carew, ii. 23, 44, 55. 
Thomas Carte, ii. 32, Il6. 
William Cecil, i. 66, 234, 252. 
Charles, Earl of Orrery, i. 91. 
Major Cleeland, i. 100, 103, 105, 109, 

114. 

Bishop of Cork, i. 177, 196, 219. 
William Cowper, ii. 57, 67, 75. 
Robert Dean, i. 201. 
Ann Donallan, i. 222. 
Hon. E. B., i. 159. 
Charles Ecklin, i. 214. 

Rev. F , ii. 2. 

Rev. Ferrebee, i. 130, 246. 

Lord Foley, ii. 106. 

Alexander Forrester, i. 298 ; ii. 33, 

114. 

Mrs. Strangways Homer, i. 250, 254. 
His first wife, i. 94, 95 ; his second, 

ii. 141-206. 

Dr. Johnson, ii. 99, 112. 
John Kempe, i. 42, 67, 70, 77, 82, 92, 

95, 99, 102, 107, 115, 119, 138, 152, 

175, 218, 240. 
Dr. King, i. 264, 301, 313; ii. I, 54,65. 

Rev. Maurice, i. 210. 

Rev. John Maxwell, ii. 53, 109. 
Dr. Mead, ii. 45, 50, 56, 61. 
John Merewether, ii. 86. 
Bishop of Ossory, i. 181, 242, 243. 
Bishop of Oxford, ii. 21. 

Rev. Pearson, i. 174. 

Ambrose Philips, i. 193. 

Rev. Marmaduke Philips, i. 188, 192. 

William Philips, i. 269, 279. 

Dr. Pococke, ii. 31. 

Pope, i. 133, 140, 231, 276. 

Richard Purcell, ii. 92. 

Duchess of Queensberry, ii. 95. 

Archdeacon Russell, i. 179, 212, 232, 

270. 

Theobald Russell, ii. 66. 
Mr. Salkeld, i. 48, 68, 74, 75, 81, 87, 

112, 156. 



INDEX 



329 



Orrery, John, 5th Earl of, Letters to 
Countess of Sandwich, i. 93, 142 ; 

". 93- 

T. Southerne, i. 120, 121, 123, 124, 
127, 128, 143, 148, 182, 206, 227, 
235, 238, 239, 247, 274, 277, 282. 
Lady Elizabeth Spelman, i. 299, 317. 
Earl of StrafTord, i. 217. 
Earl of Suffolk, ii. 38. 
Dean Swift, i. 132, 135, 137, 204, 209, 
230, 234, 248, 266. 

Rev. Trevanion, i. 43, 83, 90. 

Hon. Mrs. Tichbourne, i. 208. 
Thomas Tickell, i. 171, 260. 
Riley Towers, ii. 63. 
Lady Vesey, i. 187. 

Rev. Watkins, i. 307. 

Baron Waynwright, i. 203, 207, 212, 
215, 262, 268. 

Rev. Wesley, 1.253,258,261,281. 

Mr. Wilson, ii. 115. 

Sir James Worsley, ii. 91. 

Library, xvii. 

Lines to a Lady, ii. 321. 

Monumental inscription over 

favourite horse, ii. 320. 

PapeFS in ' Busybody,' by, ii. 

295, 298, 302. 

Papers in 'The Connoisseur,' 

ii. 304, 305, 308. 

Prose works and correspon- 
dence, xvi. 

Reconciled to his father, i. 87, 

90,96. 

Speech in House of Lords, 

i. no. 
Stanza on his father's death, 

". 319. 
Translation of Pyrrha, i. 166, 

167, 169, 172, 173. 
Lionel, 3rd Earl, xii. 
Margaret, Countess of, xvii ; i. 239 ; 

ii. 142 note, 289. 

Burial-place, ii. 290. 

Correspondence with John, Earl 

of, ii. 141-288. 

Letter to Mrs. Dopping, ii. 126. 

Letter to Pope, i. 276. 

Roger, 1st Earl (Lord Broghill), i. 66 ; 

his marriage, x ; Protestantism of, xi. 

John, 2nd Earl, xi. 

Orrery invented by Graham, xiii. 



Ossory, Bishop of, i. 170, 172, 181, 204, 

242, 243. 
Otter, M., Travels in Persia and Turkey, 

ii. 49. 
Oxford, Bishop of, ii. 21. 

Earl of, i. 70 ; ii. 9. 

Student riots at, ii. 24, 26. 



PARODY on The Charms of Sylvia, ii. 316. 
Pawlet, Lady Nassau, ii. 71. 
Pearson, Mrs., i. 129. 

Pearson, Rev. , i. 174. 

Pembroke, Earl of, ii. 299 and note. 
Percival, Mr. and Mrs., i. 177, 179. 
Peter the Great, i. 20. 
Petersham, Viscount (ist Earl of Harring- 
ton), ii. 37 and note. 
Philips, Ambrose, i. 193. 

Rev. Marmaduke, i. 188, 192. 

William, i. 269, 279. 

Phipps and Anglesey Estate, ii. 197. 

Mrs., ii. 209. 

Pilkington, Mrs., i. 314. 

Pitcher, Sir Josslebury, i. 77. 

Pococke, Dr., ii. 31 ; letter to Earl of 

Orrery, ii. 28. 

Polignac, Cardinal, Anti-Lucretius, ii. 8. 
Pope, Alexander, xvi; i. 133, 140, 229, 

244, 249, 276; ii. 161, 164, 168, 183, 

188, 192, 206. 
Correspondence with Swift, i. 26, 

231 note. 
Lines on Thomas Southerne, i. 143 

note. 

Translation of Odyssey, xv. 

1 Popish Priest Bill in Council,' ii. 130. 

Portland, Duchess of, i. 200. 

Potter, Archbishop, i. 144. 

Powis, Duchess of, letter to Duchess of 

Beaufort, i. 5. 

Preston Church, Boyle monument in, ii. 320. 
Prie, Madame de, i. 42, 44. 
Prior, ii. 40. 

Prussia, King of, Memoirs, ii. 44. 
Purcell, Richard, ii. 92. 
Pyrrha, Horace's, i. 166, 167, 169, 172, 

173- 

Q 

QUEEN ANNE grants English Barony to 
Earl of Orrery, xiii. 



330 



ORRERY PAPERS 



Queen Elizabeth, ii. 291. 
Queensberry, Duchess of, i. 244 ; ii. 95. 
Queensberry, Duke of, letter concerning, 

i. 71. 
Quin, the actor, i. 303 ; ii. 42, 64. 



RATHGOGRAN VILLAGE, xi. 

Reed, John, i. 70. 

Richardson, Clarissa, ii. 14,43, 495 Pamela, 

ii. 14. 
Richmond and Lennox, Duke of, ii. 9, 

233- 

Rochfort, Mrs., i. 178. 
Rockingham, Earl of, i. 85 and note. 
Roden, Earl of, ii. 130 note. 
Roscommon, Lord, xvi. 
Rose, Mrs., i. 224. 
Ross, Lady, i. 178. 
Rostellan Castle, i. 116, 119. 
Rothelin, Abbe, ii. 9. 
Rothes, Duke of, i. 19. 
Royden, Sir J. , i. 233. 
Russell, Archdeacon, i. 154, 179, 199, 212, 

232, 270. 
Russell, Theobald, ii. 66. 



SACKVILLE, LADY CAROLINE, i. 160 and 

note. 

Lady Mary (Countess of Orrery), xi. 

Lord George, ii. 28, 101, 108, 271. 

Lord J., ii. 172, 173. 

St. George, Mrs., ii. 250. 
St. Laurence, Mr., i. 191. 
St. Leger, Baron, i. 203. 

Sir John, ii. 148. 

St. Patrick's Cathedral, Earl of Cork's 

monument in, x. 
Salisbury, Bishop of, i. 256. 
Salkeld, i. 48, 68, 74, 75, 81, 87, 93, 112, 

156 and note, 189. 

Sandford, Anne, i. 47 note, 131, 252. 
John, i. 47 and note, 70, 252, 258 ; 

skit on, 107. 
Sandwich, Countess of, i. 50 and note, 93, 

142 and note ; ii. 93. 

Letter to Earl of Orrery, i. 98. 

Earl of, ii. 178. 

Sardinia, King of, ii. 28. 



Saunderson, Lady Frances, i. 218. 

Saxe, Marshal, ii. 28. 

Scarborough, Lord, ii. 65, 164, 185. 

Scrope, Lady, ii. 291. 

Sedley, Catherine, Countess of Dorchester, 

i. 225 note. 
Lady Catherine (see Buckingham and 

Normanby, Catherine, Duchess of). 
Selwyn, G., ii. 164. 
Shaftesbury, Earl of, i. 222 ; ii. 13. 
Shannon, Lady, ii. 191. 
Sheridan, i. 135 ; ii. 96, 124, 125, 212. 
Shirley, Lady Fanny, ii. 19. 
Shrewsbury, Duke of, i. 70. 
Simmons, Pitcher, i. 78. 
Simpson, Miss, and Lord Anglesey, i. 294. 
Skelton, Rev. Philip, letter to Earl of 

Orrery, ii. 46. 
Skirits, i. 78 and note. 
Sloane, Sir Hans, ii. 192. 
Smith, Molly, i. 181 and note. 
Smithson, Sir Hugh, ii. 69, 
Somerset, Duke of, ii. 69. 
Sondes, Viscount, i. 85 note. 
Song on the 5th of November, ii. 317. 
Southerne, Tom, xvi ; i. 120, 121, 124, 

127, 128, 143 and note, 148, 182, 206, 

227, 235, 238, 239, 246, 247, 274, 277, 

282. 

'Siege of Capua,' i. 123 note. 

Southwell, i. 65 ; marries Hon. Catherine 

Watson, i. 85 and note. 
Southwell, Mrs., i. 197. 

Miss, i. 146. 

Spain, Queen-Dowager of, ii. 5. 
Spelman, Lady Elizabeth, i. 299, 317 ; 

ii. 185. 

Stanhope, Colonel George, ii. 19. 
Stanyan, Mr., i. 25. 
Steele, Richard, xiii. 
Stilman, Edward, letter on battle of Det- 

tingen, i. 294. 

Thomas, i. 294. 

Stowe Park, i. 224 and note. 
Strafford, Earl of, i. 217. 
Strange, Sir John, ii. 62. 

Master of the Rolls, ii. 65. 

Suckling, ' The Bride ' quoted, x. 
Suffolk, Earl of, x ; ii. 38, 243. 
Sundon, Lady, i. 206 and note. 
Swift, Jonathan, xvi ; i. 26, 29, 131, 132, 

133. 135. 137, 166 183, 200, 203, 204, 



INDEX 



33 1 



209, 214, 230, 234, 236, 248, 264, 266 ; 

ii. 96, 147, 250, 254, 255. 
Swift, Jonathan, Correspondence with 

Pope, i. 231 note. 
Life and Writings of Dr Swift, 

ii. 272, 276, 278, 280, 282, 284. 



TALBOT, LORD, i. 256. 

Talmash, Lady Catherine, ii. 72 and note. 

Taylor, Dr., ii. 80. 

Demosthenes, ii. 19. 

Temple, Sir William, xii ; i. 277 note. 

Letter from, i. 21 and note. 

Terry, Dr., Sub-dean of Christ Church, 

i. 67, 68, 69. 

Thanet, Earl of, i. 85 note. 
Thomond Marquisate, i. 1 16, 237 note. 
Thomond, Marquis of, i. 237 and note. 
Thomson's Coriolanus, i. 303 ; ii. 8, 43. 

Castle of Indolence, ii. 31, 43. 

Tichbourne, Hon. Mrs., i. 146, 208. 
Tickell, Thomas, i. 171, 184, 260. 
Tighe, Richard, i. 167, 182, 190, 192, 227, 

235 and note, 239. 
Letter to John, Earl of Orrery, 

i. 284, 287. 

Tower of London, i. 255. 
Towers, Riley, letters to Earl of Orrery, 

u. 62, 64, 69, 74. 
Townshend, Lord, i. 39, 53. 

Trevanion, Rev. , i. 43, 83, 90. 

Trevor, Lord, i. 33, 35. 

Tuam, Synge, Archbishop of, i. 145. 

Tufton, Lady Catherine (Lady Sondes), 

i. 85 note. 

Tunbridge Wells, sketch of society at, i. 8l. 
Turbot, Sir William, i. 78. 
Tweeddale, Lord, ii. 178. 
Tyrawley, Lady, ii. 151 and note. 
Tyrconnel, Earls of, i. 88, 244 note. 



VANHUMRIGH (VANHOMRIGH), ESTHER, 

ii. 96. 

Vesey, Lady, i. 187, 193. 
Virginia, Governorship of, i. 89. 



W 

WALGRAVE, Lord, i. 36. 
Wallingford, Lord, ii. 192. 
Wallis, Dr., i. 20. 
Walpole, Edward, i. 199. 

Horace, ii. 294. 

Sir Robert, xiii ; i. 39, 53, 64, 75, 

151, 201, 256, 260. 

and Alter bury, i. 41 note. 

Warburton, edition of Pope's Works, ii. 

43; Shakespeare's, i. 319; ii. 44. 
Ward, Dean of Cloyne, i. 119, 130, 139, 

144, 161, 164, 165 and note, 182, 236. 
Warren, Sir Peter, ii. 62. 

Watkins, Rev. , i. 301, 307. 

Watson, Hon. Catherine (Mrs. Southwell), 

i. 85 and note. 
Waynwright, Baron, i. 203, 207, 212, 215, 

262, 268. 
Wesley, Rev. , i. 253, 258, 261, 

281. 
West, Mr., author, i. 302, 309, 319 ; ii. 4, 

6, 8, 46. 

Westington, Mrs., ii. 42. 
Weymouth, Lord, i. 123, 222 note, 255. 
Williams, Sir Watkin, ii. 56, 234, 235, 

238, 239. 
Wilmington, Earl of, i. 20 and note; 

ii. 170 and note, 194. 
Wilson's Dublin Advertiser, extract from, 

ii. 121. 

Wilson, the painter, ii. 1 15. 
Wooton (Wotton), Sir Harry, i. 166 and 

note, 1 68 and note. 
Worcester, Marquis of, i. 5 note. 
Worsley, Sir James, ii. 91; letter to Earl of 

Orrery, ii. 69. 
Lady, ii. 91 ; letter to Earl of Orrery, 

ii. 70. 

Wortley, duel with Charles Boyle, xiii. 
Wycherley, W., letter to Earl of Mulgrave, 

i. 21. 

Wyndham, Lord Chancellor, i. 145. 
Sir Charles, ii. 174. 



YARD, MRS., i. 22. 



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