Did I tell you that Lord Rochford,(589) has at last married Miss Young?(590) I say, at last, for they don’t pretend to have been married this twelvemonth; but they were publicly married last week.  Adieu!

(582) John Strange, Esq. made Solicitor-general in 1736, and Master of the Rolls in 1750, he died in 1754.-E.

(583) Voltaire has since made the same kind of observation in his “Life of Louis XlV.”  Art of Calvinism;-"Les hommes se piquent toujours de remplir un devoir qui les distingue.”

(584) The battle of Chotusitz, or Czaslau, gained by the King of Prussia over the very superior forces of the Austrians.  This victory occasioned the peace between the contending powers, and the cession of Silesia to the Prussian monarchy.- D.

(585) This relates to some differences between Mr. Walpole and his father, to which the former had alluded in one of his letters.  They never suited one another either in habits, tastes, or opinions; in addition to which, Sir Robert appears to have been rather a harsh father to his youngest son.  If such was the case, the latter nobly revenged himself, by his earnest solicitude through life for the Honour of his parent’s memory.-D. [See ant`e, p. 207, Letter 50.)

(586) He had been consul at Genoa.

(587) Sir Robert Walpole used to say of the Duke of Newcastle, “He has a foolish head and a perfidious heart.  His name is perfidy."-E.

(588) Horace Walpole the elder@D.

(589) William Henry Zulestein Nassau, fourth Earl of Rochford.  He filled many diplomatic situations, and was also at different times, groom of the stole and secretary of state.  He died in 1781.-D.

(590) Daughter of Edward Young, Esq.  She had been maid of honour to the Princess of Wales.

256 Letter 69 To Sir Horace Mann Downing Street, May 26, 1742.

To-day calls itself May the 26th, as you perceive by the date; but I am writing to you by the fireside, instead of going to Vauxhall. if we have one warm day in seven, “we bless our stars, and think it luxury.”  And yet we have as much waterworks and fresco diversions, as if we lay ten degrees nearer warmth.  Two nights ago Ranelagh-gardens were opened at Chelsea; the Prince, Princess, Duke, much nobility, and much mob besides, were there.  There is a vast amphitheatre, finely gilt, painted, and illuminated, into which every body that loves eating, drinking, staring, or crowding, is admitted for twelvepence.  The building and disposition of the gardens cost sixteen thousand pounds.  Twice a-week there are to be ridottos, at guinea tickets, for which you are to have a supper and music.  I was there last night, but did not find the joy of it.  Vauxhall is a little better; for the garden is pleasanter, and one goes by water.  Our operas are almost over; there were but three-and-forty people last night in the pit and boxes.  There is a little simple farce at Drury Lane, called “Miss Lucy in Town,"(591)