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
The French politics, as they move me less, suit me better; but of
these I begin to be tired, and shall for my amusement revert to more
ancient times. The history of the Bourbons is become thread-bare,
and their lustre too is extinguished, as suddenly as that of a
farthing candle. This Revolution is by no means unprecedented, but
being transacted in our own times, and so near our own doors,
strikes us the more forcibly.
To-morrow we shall go to town, and that, and the next day will be
taken up in our preparatives. It was not so formerly; an expedition
was fitted out at a much less expense, and in a shorter time. But a
journey of above five hundred miles strikes us at present as a great
undertaking. But after we shall have left Barnet, I know much of
this will vanish, and I shall think of nothing but of my gate, and
of all whom I shall see in a few days after. I will bring down the
maps which you mention, and other things, if I knew which would be
most acceptable to them, but as they will never tell me, I can but
conjecture.
You do not say anything of the D(uke) of Y(ork); perhaps he was not
well enough to be of all the parties. We have here, for our pride,
and amusement, the third brother,(267) who drives about in his
phaeton, with his companion, bespeaks plays, and seems to have taken
Richmond under his immediate patronage. A report has been spread
here that Mrs. F(itzherbert) has obtained leave to come and lodge at
the next door. I hope that that will not be the case, for her own
sake, as well as ours.
I thank William for his letter, although he tells me little more
than that he is my affectionate W. Howard. He may be assured that he
has from me at least an equal return. Of Gertrude he says nothing,
and yet, I am confident, the P(rince) did not overlook her. My
hearty love to them all, and to Lady Caroline if you write to her.
I read yesterday a little Latin poem upon a Mouse Trap, with which I
was most highly delighted; wrote near a century ago, by a Mr.
Holdsworth. It has been much celebrated, but never fell into my
hands before yesterday. There is a great eloge upon the Cambrians,
but whether Mr. Campbell would be flattered with it I am not sure.
If I did not suppose it to be no more a curiosity than was the
Blossom of the Chestnut Tree, with which I was so struck the
beginning of the summer, I should bring it with me. There is a
translation of it in English verse, that is little short of the
original. Dear Lady Carlisle, adieu. I never know when to leave off
when I am writing to you, nor how to express the affection and
esteem with which I am ever yours.
(266) Afterwards married to Lady Caroline.
(267) William, Duke of Clarence.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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