The reviewer, indeed, tells us that "just as Junius concluded his great work, Thomas Lyttelton returned to his father's house, and Chatham was one of the first to congratulate Lord Lyttelton on the event." This was in February 1772; and in the _Chatham Correspondence_, vol. iv. p. 195., is Lord Lyttelton's letter of thanks in reply. The reviewer would evidently have it inferred, that Thomas Lyttelton had returned home like a prodigal son, after a temporary estrangement, and from a comparatively short distance; but surely, had the volume of _Poems_ been referred to, it might or rather _must_ have occurred to a candid inquirer, that in February 1772 Thomas Lyttelton returned from his _travels on the Continent, after an absence of nearly three years_! But, perhaps, the authenticity of the _Poems_ may at once be boldly denied? Is this the case? Chalmers certainly includes them with the _Letters_, as having been "disowned" by Lord L.'s executors; but says, "as to the _Poems_, they added, '_great part whereof are undoubtedly spurious_.'" It is certain, therefore, that _some_ of the _Poems_ are genuine; and it is a pity that the exceptions were not specified, as the discussion might then have been confined within narrower limits. The editor of the _Poems_, in his address "To the Reader," writes thus in vindication of them: "There is scarcely a line in the collection which does not bear testimony of its origin; the _places and dates_ are also strong corroborations to such of his friends as he corresponded with _on his last journey across the Alps_. His style was elegant, and his ideas so animated, that _spurious productions would be immediately detected_." This is the testimony of one who "had the honour of his friendship, which terminated only with his death," and is not to be lightly rejected.[3] My own conviction is in favour of the authenticity of the whole; but, at all events, I shall be able to offer undoubted evidence as to the genuineness of part of the volume, and additional proof that the author was abroad at the precise time when, if he were Junius, he must have resided in this country. By Thomas Lord Lyttelton's will (dated Oct. 30, 1777), he appointed as his executors his brother-in-law Arthur Viscount Valentia, his uncle William Henry Lord Westcote, and Wilson Aylesbury Roberts of Bewdley. To the latter he left all his "letters, verses, speeches, and writings," with directions that, if published, it should be for his sole emolument. The important Query therefore at once arises, _what became of these manuscripts, and were they destroyed or preserved_?