(902) The Royal and Noble Authors.-E.

(903) Queen Elizabeth, who had turned Horace’s Art of Poetry into English, having been offended with Sir Francis Bacon, the Earl of Essex, to recommend him again to favour, artfully told her, that his suit was not so much for the good of Bacon, as for her own honour, that those excellent translations of hers might be known to those who could best judge of them.-E.

(904) In Pope’s Prologue to the Satires—­

“Proud as Apollo on his forked hill,
Sat full-blown Bufo puff’d by many a quill."-E.

(905) Bubb Dodington—­

“And then for mine obligingly mistakes
The first lampoon Sir Will, or Bubo makes."-E.

(906) Roger Boyle, Earl of Orrery.  His Parthenissa, a romance in six books, appeared in folio in 1677.

431 Letter 269
To John Chute, Esq. 
Strawberry Hill, June 29, 1758.

The Tower-guns have sworn through thick and thin that Prince Ferdinand has entirely demolished the French, and the city-bonfires all believe it.  However, as no officer is yet come, nor confirmation, my crackers suspend their belief.  Our great fleet is stepped ashore again near Cherbourg; I suppose, to singe half a yard more of the coast.  This is all I know; less, as you may perceive, than any thing but the Gazette.

What is become of Mr. Montagu?  Has he stolen to Southampton, and slipped away a-volunteering like Norborne Berkeley, to conquer France in a dirty shirt and a frock?  He might gather forty load more of laurels in my wood.  I wish I could flatter myself that you would come with him.

My Lady Suffolk has at last entirely submitted her barn to our ordination.  As yet it is only in Deacon;s orders; but will very soon have our last imposition of hands.  Adieu!  Let me know a word of you.

431 Letter 270 To George Montagu, Esq.  Strawberry Hill, July 6, 1758.

You may believe I was thoroughly disappointed in not seeing you here, as I expected.  I grieve for the reason, and wish you had told me that your brother was quite recovered.  Must I give you over for the summer? sure you are in my debt.

That regiments are going to Germany is certain; which, except the Blues) I know not.  Of all secrets I am not in any Irish ones.  I hope for your sake, your Colonel(907) is not of the number; but how can you talk in the manner you do of Prince Ferdinand!  Don’t you know that, next to Mr. Pitt and Mr. Delaval, he is the most fashionable man in England?  Have not the Tower-guns, and all the parsons in London, been ordered to pray for him?  You have lived in Northamptonshire till you are ignorant that Hanover is in Middlesex, as the Bishop’s palace at Chelsea is in the diocese of Winchester.  In hopes that you will grow better acquainted with your own country, I remain your affected Horatius Valpolhausen.

(907) Mr. Montagu’s brother.

432 Letter 271
To The Rev. Dr. Birch. 
Arlington Street, July 8, 1758.