George Selwyn : $b His letters and his lifeSelwyn, George Augustus
History
George Selwyn : $b His letters and his life
Selwyn, George Augustus
Selwyn, George Augustus, 1719-1791; Selwyn, George Augustus, 1719-1791 -- Correspondence
I was last night at supper with Charles, but not one syllable passed
between us. He knows that I see him in a situation where I cannot
wish to see any one who has aspired to it and obtained it by the
means which he has used. No one admires more or thinks more justly
of his abilities than I do; no one could have loved him more, if he
had deserved it; what his behaviour has been to the public, to his
friends, and to his family is notorious. Facts are too stubborn, and
to those I appeal, and not to the testimonies of ignorant and
profligate people. However, if hereafter you can reconcile yourself
to him and to his behaviour towards you, I will forgive him, and
although I desire to lay myself under no obligation to him, I will
remember only that he is the child of those whom I loved, without
interest or any return.
George wonders to see me write so much to you; he is so well that I
will carry him to school on Monday, without consulting any person.
. . . He has read more Latin to me than I have to him, for my breath
as been affected by the cold, or I should have read more with him;
but he has hammered out his Latin with the dictionary and what
assistance I can give him, and construes it wonderfully well. He
will be at school till the 25th of next month, and then I propose
exercise abroad, and the Modern History of Europe at home, and
French; for to speak the truth he is defective in the pronunciation
of that, for want of practice. The Theodore's coming here obliges me
to have my nieces dine here, to see her. I'm afraid people will come
to see Mie Mie dance par billets.
CHAPTER 6. 1786-1791 THE CLOSING CENTURY
Political events--At Richmond--The Duke of Queensberry's villa
--Princess Amelia--The King's illness--The French Revolution
--Proposed visit to Castle Howard--In Gloucestershire--Affairs in
France--The Emigres--Society at Richmond--The French Revolution
--Richmond Theatre--French friends--Christening of Lady Caroline
Campbell's child--Selwyn's bad health--Death.
OF the series of political events which in rapid succession followed
the formation of the Rockingham Ministry, the death of its head, the
accession to the premiership of Lord Shelburne, the resignation of
Fox, and lastly the coalition between that statesman and his old
antagonist Lord North, Selwyn tells us nothing. His correspondence
with Carlisle came to an end for the time when his friend was
recalled from Ireland in 1782. Thus the last group of letters has
rather a social and a personal than a political interest.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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