(435) Vestris, the celebrated dancer, would have been delighted with it; for it is related of him, that when Gluck had finished his noble opera, “Iphigenia,” Vestris was sadly disappointed on finding that it did not end with a “chaconne,” and worried the composer to induce him to introduce one.  At length Gluck, losing all patience, exclaimed, “Chaconne! chaconne!  Had, then, the Greeks, whose manners we are to represent, chaconnes?” “Certainly not,” replied Vestris, “certainly not; but so much the worse for the Greeks."-D.

218 Letter 52 To Sir Horace Mann.  London, Feb. 1741-2.

I am miserable that I have not more time to write to you, especially as you will want to know so much of what I have to tell you; but for a week or fortnight I shall be so hurried, that I shall scarce know what I say.  I sit here writing to you, and receiving all the town, who flock to this house; Sir Robert has already had three levees this morning, and the rooms still overflowing-they overflow up to me.  You will think this the prelude to some victory!  On the contrary, when you receive this, there will be no longer a Sir Robert Walpole:  you must know him for the future by the title of Earl of Orford.  That other envied name expires next week with his ministry!  Preparatory to this change.  I should tell you, that last week we heard in the House of Commons the Chippenham election, when Jack Frederick and his brother-in-law, Mr. Hume, on our side, petitioned against Sir Edmund Thomas and Mr. Baynton Holt.  Both sides made it the decisive question-but our people were not all equally true:  and upon the previous question we had but 235 against 236, so lost it by one.  From that time my brothers, my uncle, I, and some of his particular friends, persuaded Sir R. to resign.  He was undetermined till Sunday night.  Tuesday we were to finish the election, when we lost it by 16; upon which Sir Robert declared to some particular persons in the House his resolution to retire,(436) and had that morning sent the Prince of Wales notice of’ it.  It is understood from the heads of the party, that nothing more is to be pursued against him.  Yesterday (Wednesday) the King adjourned both Houses for a fortnight, for time to settle things.  Next week Sir Robert resigns and goes into the House of Lords.  The only change yet fixed, is, that Lord Wilmington (437) is to be at the head of the Treasury-but numberless other alterations and confusions must follow.  The Prince will be reconciled, and the Whig-patriots will come in.  There were a few bonfires last night, but they are very unfashionable, for never was fallen minister so followed.  When he kissed the King’s hand to take his first leave, the King fell on his neck, wept and kissed him, and begged to see him frequently.  He will continue in town, and assist the ministry in the Lords.  Mr. Pelham has declared that he will accept nothing, that was Sir Robert’s; and this moment the Duke of Richmond has been here from court to tell Sir R. that he had resigned the mastership of the horse, having received it from him, unasked, and that he would not keep it beyond his ministry.  This is the greater honour, as it was so unexpected, and as he had no personal friendship with the duke.