I don’t know whether Lord Lincoln has received any orders to return home:  I had a letter from one of my brothers last post to tell me from Sir Robert that he would have me leave Italy as soon as possible, lest I should be shut up unawares by the arrival of the Spanish troops; and that I might pass some time in France if I had amind.  I own I don’t conceive how it is possible these troops should arrive without its being known some time before.  And as to the Great Duke’s dominions, one can always be out of them in ten hours or less.  If Lord Lincoln has not received the same orders..  I shall believe what I now think, that I am wanted for some other reason.  I beg my kind love to Lord Lincoln, and that Mr. Spence will believe me, his sincere humble servant Hor.  Walpole.

(222) The well-known friend of Pope and author of the Polymetis, who was then travelling on the Continent with Henry, Earl of Lincoln, afterwards Duke of Newcastle.  See ante p. 140, (Letter 14, and footnote 175).-E.

(223) This acquaintance proved of infinite service to Walpole, shortly after the date of this letter, when he was laid up with a quinsy at Reggio.  Spence thus describes the circumstance:  “About three or four in the morning I was surprised with a message, saying that Mr. Walpole was very much worse, and desired to see me; I went, and found him scarce able to speak.  I soon learned from his servants that he had been all the while without a physician, and had doctored himself; so I immediately sent for the best aid the place would afford, and despatched a messenger to the minister at Florence, desiring him to send my friend Dr. Cocchi.  In about twenty-four hours I had the satisfaction to find Mr. Walpole better:  we left him in a fair way of recovery, and we hope to see him next week at Venice.  I had obtained leave of Lord Lincoln to stay behind some days if he had been worse.  You see what luck one has sometimes in going out of one’s way.  If Lord Lincoln had not wandered to Reggio, Mr. Walpole (who is one of the best-natured and most sensible young gentlemen England affords) would have, in all probability, fallen a sacrifice to his disorder."-E.

169 Letter 30 To The Hon. H. S. Conway.  Florence, March 25th, 1741, N. S.

Dear Hal, You must judge by what you feel yourself of what I feel for Selwyn’s recovery, with the addition of what I have suffered from post to post.  But as I find the whole town have had the same sentiments about him, (though I am sure few so strong as myself,) I will not repeat what you have heard so much.  I shall write to him to-night, though he knows without my telling him how very much I love him.  To you, my dear Harry, I am infinitely obliged for the three successive letters you wrote me about him, which gave me double pleasure, as they showed your attention for me at a time that you know I must be so unhappy; and your friendship for him.  Your account of Sir Robert’s victory (224) was so extremely