[72] This picture, by Sir Joshua Reynolds, was painted for Mr. Rigby. The attitude of Miss Vernon is, as Walpole here says, affected. That of Lord William Russell illustrates the genius of Sir Joshua. The story is told, that the boy was unwilling to stand still for his portrait, and running about the room, crouched in a corner to avoid it. Sir Joshua, at once seizing the possibility of painting him so, said, “Well, stay there, my little fellow,” and drew him in a natural position of fear at the dragon.--R. VERNON SMITH (afterwards LORD LYVEDEN). [73] ‘I forgot to tell you that the town of Birmingham has petitioned the Parliament to enforce the American Acts, that is, make war; for they have a manufacture of swords and muskets.’--WALPOLE TO MANN, Jan. 27th, 1775. ‘Is it credible that five or six of the great _trading_ towns have presented addresses against the Americans?--SAME TO SAME, Oct. 10, 1775. The writer tries to persuade himself that these addresses were procured by ‘those boobies, the country gentlemen.’ [74] The Lady Louisa Fitzpatrick before referred to.--_See p. 131._ [75] Horace’s nephew, the mad earl. [76] The Prince was now in his eighteenth year, having been born on the 12th of August, 1762. [77] The Duke was in disgrace with the King on account of his marriage. [78] Referring to a rumour that he had been appointed ambassador to Spain. [79] An Act passed in 1778 relaxing the penal laws against Roman Catholics. [80] Count Haslang, Minister from the Elector of Bavaria: he had been here from the year 1740. [81] Mademoiselle Fagniani, Selwyn’s adopted daughter. [82] Walpole’s printer. [83] Author of an “Essay on Prints,” the third edition of which he dedicated to Horace Walpole. [84] Afterwards Sir Nathaniel William Wraxall, Bart., known by his “Memoirs of His Own Life.” [85] This was the second Exhibition at Somerset House. The first was in May, 1780. [86] On the 7th of June, Mr. Fox moved for leave to bring in a bill to amend the Act of the 26th of George II., for preventing clandestine marriages. The bill passed the Commons, but was rejected by the Lords.