Prospero Lambertini Bishop of Rome by the name of Benedict iv. who, though an absolute Prince, reigned as harmlessly as a Doge of Venice.  He restored the lustre of the Tiara by those arts alone, by which alone he obtained it, his Virtues.  Beloved by Papists, esteemed by Protestants:  A Priest without insolence or interest; A Prince without favourites; A Pope without nepotism:  An Author without vanity; In short, a Man whom neither Wit nor Power could spoil.  The Son of a favourite Minister, but One, who never courted a Prince, nor worshipped a Churchman, offers, in a free Protestant Country, this deserved Incense to the Best of the Roman Pontiffs.

If the good old soul is still alive, and you could do it unaffectedly and easily, you may convey it to him; it must be a satisfaction to a good heart to know that in so distant a country, so detached from his, his merit is acknowledged, without a possibility of interest entering into the consideration.  His death-bed does not want comfort or cheerfulness, but it may be capable of an expansion of heart that May still sweeten it!  Adieu!

(794) “On the day they were all to kiss hands,” says Lord Waldegrave, “I went to Kensington, to entertain myself with the innocent, or, perhaps, ill-natured amusement of examining the different countenances.  The behaviour of Pitt and his party was decent and sensible; they had neither the insolence of men who had gained a victory, nor were they awkward and disconcerted, like those who come to a place where they know they are not welcome:  but as to the Duke of Newcastle, and his friends the resigners, there was a mixture of fear and of shame on their countenances:  they were real objects of compassion.”  Memoires, 138.-E.

(795) Meaning the offence he took at Lord Bute’s favourite.  Sir George Lee was a civilian.

382 Letter 225 To Sir Horace Mann.  Strawberry Hill, July 3, 1757.

I have been under great uneasiness about you; Coloredo, the Austrian minister, is recalled precipitately, with orders not to take leave. our papers joined Pucci(796) with him in this recall, but I do not find with any foundation.  However, I cannot be easy while your situation is precarious.  One should conceive that the advantages of the English trade to Tuscany would induce the Emperor to preserve a neutrality; but what are good reasons against his wife’s vengeance and obstinacy, and haughtiness?  Tell me immediately what you think or hear on this head; what steps you would take; whither you would retire if this should happen; whether you would not come home to watch over your own interest and return, or whether you would be more in the way by remaining in Italy.  I know not what to advise; I don’t even know how this letter is to get to you, and how our correspondence will continue; at least it must be very irregular, now all communication is cut off through the Empress’s dominions.  I am in great solicitude!