[211] Sir Richard Temple, made Baron Cobham, born 1669, died 1749. On the same day Mrs. Donnellan writes that-- “The Duchess of Norfolk’s[212] masquerade employs the gay world as much at present as the Court places does the ambitious. The Duchess, Lady Andover, and Pen have their tickets, poor Dash[213] fears she will not have one. The Duchess is to represent ‘Night,’ and you know she has stars to adorn it, and make it bright as day. Lady Andover and Pen are to be dressed after Holler’s Prints. I have desired they make this house their place of meeting, and shall desire the same of all my acquaintance, which will give me all I care for of a masquerade.” [212] Wife of 9th Duke, _née_ Mary Blount. [213] “Delia” Dashwood. Another peep at the masquerade is gained by a letter from “Cally” Scott to the two Robinson sisters-- “The Princess of Wales[214] was the finest figure that ever was seen; she had a vast number of jewels, and was in Queen Elizabeth’s dress: the Duchess of Portland’s was very odd and pretty, her upper part was night, and the lower moonshine.” [214] Augusta of Saxe Gotha, wife of Frederick, Prince of Wales. [Page heading: SIR HANS SLOANE] The duchess writes early in February-- “MY DEAREST FIDGET, “Though I shall have the pleasure of seeing you soon, yet I can’t help conversing with you as often as it is in my power. I am but just come from Sir Hans Sloane’s,[215] where I have beheld many odder things than himself, though none so inconsistent: however, I will not rail, for he has given me some of his trumpery to add to my collection, and till I get better they shall remain there.... “The Duchess of Marlborough’s Memoirs[216] are come out. I long to read ’em, and hear she has given my grandfather a character, entirely worthy of herself, to show posterity how very different they were in all circumstances of life. If she makes her character to answer his, she has given him a great foil which his virtue did not require. Swift’s ‘Four last years of Queen Anne’[217] are coming out. I don’t hear they are yet printed.” [215] Eminent physician and naturalist, born 1660, died 1753; then living at Bushington House, Chelsea. [216] Her “Account of her Conduct.” Mr. N. Hooke helped her to write it this year. [217] Was not printed till 1758. [Page heading: HOUSE OF LORDS] Elizabeth now went to London, and in February writes this interesting letter to her father in Kent-- “SIR,