July 22.

For the pleasure of my conscience I had written all the above last night, expecting Lord Lyttelton, the Dean, and other company, This morning I receive yours; and having already told you all I know, I have only a few paragraphs to answer.

I am pleased that you are pleased about my book:(918) you shall see it very soon; though there will scarce be a new page:  nobody else shall see it till spring.  In the first place, the prints will not be finished:  in the next, I intend that two or three other things shall appear before it from my press, of other authors; for I will not surfeit people with my writings, nor have them think that I propose to find employment alone for a whole press—­so far from it, I intend to employ it no more about myself.

I will certainly try to see you during your waiting.,’ Adieu!

(913) In the preceding month, Prince Edward had been appointed a midshipman, and in July embarked on board the Essex, commanded by Lord Howe, upon the expedition against Cherburg.-E.

(914) William Pitt, secretary of state.

(915) Lord Anson, first lord of the admiralty.

(916) The seat of the Earl of Hertford.

(917) the eldest daughter of Sir Edward Walpole.

(918) Anecdotes of Painting.

(919) As groom of the bedchamber to the King.

436 Letter 275
To The Rev. Henry Zouch.(920)
Strawberry Hill, August 3d, 1758.

Sir, I have received, with much pleasure and surprise, the favour of your remarks upon my Catalogue; and whenever I have the opportunity of being better known to you, I shall endeavour to express my gratitude for the trouble you have given yourself in contributing to perfect a work,(921) which, notwithstanding your obliging expressions, I fear you found very little worthy the attention of so much good sense and knowledge, Sir, as you possess.  I am extremely thankful for all the information you have given me; I had already met with a few of the same lights as I have received, Sir, from you, as I shall mention in their place.  The very curious accounts of Lord Fairfax were entirely new and most acceptable to me.  If I decline making use of one or two of your hints, I believe I can explain my reasons to your satisfaction.  I will, with your leave, go regularly through your letter.

As Caxton(922) laboured in the monastery of Westminster, it is not at all unlikely that he should wear the habit, nor, considering how vague our knowledge of that age is, impossible but he might enter the order.

I have met with Henry’s institution of a Christian, and shall give you an account of it in my next edition.  In that, too, I shall mention, that Lord Cobham’s(923) allegiance professed at his death to Richard ii. probably means to Richard and his right heirs, whom he had abandoned for the house of Lancaster.  As the article is printed off, it is too late to say any thing more about his works.