The Parliament is to meet for a few days the end of this month, to give perfection to the Regency-bill.  If the King dies before the end of this month, the old Parliament revives, which would make tolerable confusion, considering what sums have been laid out on seats in this.  Adieu!  This letter did not come kindly; I reckon it rather extorted from me, and therefore hope it will not amuse.  However, I am in tolerable charity with you, and yours ever.

(481) A cant name which Mr. Walpole had given to Lord Radnor’s whimsical house and grounds at Twickenham.

(482) Lord Radnor’s garden was full of statues, etc. like that at Marylebone. (gray, in a letter to Wharton, of the 13th of August in this year says, “By all means see Lord Radnor’s place again.  He is a simple old Phobus, but nothing can spoil so glorious a situation, which surpasses every thing round it.”  Works, vol. iii. p. 119.-E).

(483) Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Robert Rich, Bart. was the second wife of George Lord Lyttelton.  She was separated from her husband and survived him many years.-E.

(484) Author of The World, and some plays and poems.  Moore had written in defence of lord Lyttelton against the Letters to the Whigs; which were not known to be Walpole’s.

209 Letter 101 To George Montagu, Esq.  Arlington Street, May 21, 1754.

I did not intend to write to you till after Thursday, when all your Boscawens, Rices, and Trevors(485) are to dine at Strawberry Hill; but an event has happened, of which I cannot delay giving you the instant pleasurable notice:  now will you, according to your custom, be guessing, and, according to your custom, guessing wrong; but lest you should from my spirits make any undutiful or disloyal conjectures for me, know, that the great C`eu(486) of the Vine is dead, and that John the first was yesterday proclaimed undoubted Monarch.  Nay, champion Dimmock himself shall cut the throat of any Tracy, Atkins, or Harrison, who shall dare to gainsay the legality of his title.  In’ short, there is no more will than was left by the late Erasmus Shorter of particular memory.  I consulted Madame Rice, and she advised my directing to you at Mrs. Whettenhall’s; to whom I beg as many compliments as if she wrote herself “La blanche Whitnell.”  As many to your sister Harriot and to your brother, who I hear is with you.  I am sure, though both you and I had reason to be peevish with the poor tigress, that you grieve with me for her death.  I do most sincerely, and for her Bessy:  the man-tiger will be so sorry, that I am sure he will marry again to comfort himself.  I am so tired with letters I have written on this event, that I can scarce hold the pen.  How we shall wish for you on Thursday-and shan’t you be proud to cock your tail at the Vine?  Adieu!

(485) The daughters of Mr. Montagu’s uncle, John Morley Trevor, of Glynd in Sussex; Anne, married to General Boscawen; Lucy, married to Edward Rice, Esq.; and Miss Grace Trevor, who was living at Bath in 1792.-E.