The Letters of Horace Walpole, Earl of Orford — Volume 3 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 1,055 pages of information about The Letters of Horace Walpole, Earl of Orford — Volume 3.

The Letters of Horace Walpole, Earl of Orford — Volume 3 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 1,055 pages of information about The Letters of Horace Walpole, Earl of Orford — Volume 3.

You ask me how your letters please; it is impossible for me to learn, now I am so disconnected with every thing ministerial.  I wish you not to make them please too much.  The negotiations with France must be the great point on which the nation will fix its eyes:  with France we must break sooner or later.  Your letters will be strictly canvassed:  I hope and firmly believe that nothing will appear in them but attention to the honour and interest of the nation; points, I doubt, little at the heart of the present administration, who have gone too far not to be in the power of France, and who must bear any thing rather than quarrel.  I would not take the liberty of saying so much to you, if, by being on the spot, I was not a judge how very serious affairs grow, and how necessary it is for you to be upon your guard.

Another question you ask is, whether it is true that the opposition is disunited.  I will give you one very necessary direction, which is, not to credit any court stories.  Sandwich is the father of lies,(435) and every report is tinctured by him.  The administration give it out, and trust to this disunion.  I will tell you very nearly what truth there is or is not in this.  The party in general is as firmly and cordially united as ever party was.  Consider, that without any heads or leaders at all, 102(436) men stuck to Wilkes, the worst cause they could have had, and with all the weight of the Yorkes against them.  With regard to the leaders there is a difference.  The old Chancellor is violent against the court:  but, I believe, displeased that his son was sacrificed(437) to Pratt, in the case of privilege.  Charles Yorke(438) resigned, against his own and Lord Royston,S(439) inclination, is particularly angry with Newcastle for complying with Pitt in the affair of privilege, and not less displeased that Pitt prefers Pratt to him for the seals; but then Norton is attorney-general, and it would not be graceful to return to court, which he has quitted, while the present ministers remain there.  In short, as soon as the affair of Wilkes and privilege is at an end, it is much expected that the Yorkes will take part in the opposition.  It is for that declaration that Charles Townshend says he waits.  He again broke out strongly on Friday last against the ministry, attacking George Grenville, who seems his object.  However, the childish fluctuation of his temper, and the vehemence of his brother George(440) for the court, that is for himself, will for ever make Charles little to be depended on.  For Mr. Pitt, you know, he never will act like any other man in the opposition, and to that George Grenville trusts:  however, here are such materials, that if they could once be put in operation for a fortnight together, the present administration would be blown up.  To this you may throw in dissensions among themselves:  Lord Halifax and Lord Talbot are greatly dissatisfied.  Lord Bute is reconciled to the rest; sees the King

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The Letters of Horace Walpole, Earl of Orford — Volume 3 from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.