terday at the Admiralty, give an account of his having begun his operations against Havre with good appearance of success; that his shells had twice set fire to the town and stores, and seemed to take place amongst the boats, but with what success was not precisely known (as I apprehend), and that he was at the time the sloop left him closely engaged with some batteries. I have had no account from authority, but this intelligence I have just received from a person who saw his letter.

I know little what passes in my retirement, but some things I have lately heard of do not delight me greatly. Lord Ligonier', you must long since have heard, has got the Ordnance, but what of that? I have heard of private audiences, and presents of hock and sausages— 't is strange, the produce of Westphalia-'t is strange, but I hear 't is true: well! all's well that ends well, say some folks. God send good success to Rodney, say I, and then I shall neither fear the French nor a new G. 'Tis hot work at Havre, and at Quebec too, by this time. Good success to Wolfe and Townshend' is my

}

1 Lord Ligonier was appointed to succeed the Duke of Marlborough as Master General of the Ordnance.

2 Brigadier General George Townshend, afterwards Lord Townshend. He was associated with Wolfe in the expedition against Quebec. Upon the death of Wolfe, and General Monckton being wounded, Townshend assumed the chief command at Quebec, and signed the articles of capitulation. He was accused of attempting to appropriate to himself the honours of the conquest; and it is certain that in his letters to Pitt, immediately after the battle, he said nothing in praise of Wolfe. He was soon afterwards very bitterly attacked by the writer of a letter, which was published under the title of a Letter to an Honourable Brigadier General. This production attracted considerable attention, and was the cause of Townshend challenging Lord Albemarle as the friend of the Duke of Cumberland, at whose instigation he believed the Letter to have been written. I shall abstain from any further allusion to this Letter at present, as I shall have occasion to say more upon that subject, when I treat of the Authorship of the Letters of JUNIUS.

toast also. Our kindest compliments to Mrs. Grenville. Adieu. Yours, &c., &c.

R. L.

MR. JENKINSON TO MR. GRENVILLE.

Bury Street, July 7, 1759.

DEAR SIR,—I was extremely sorry to hear by your letter last night of the ill state of health of Master Grenville. I do not wonder at your great concern, and I partake myself most sincerely of it; but I hope that Providence, at least for the parents' sake, will on this occasion spare the child. the child. I am in the utmost distress

for poor Mrs. Grenville.

If public news would not on this occasion look like impertinence, I should inform you that letters were yesterday received from your friend Mr. Rodney, which give an account that he had bombarded Havre de Grace, that he had set it on fire in several places, that some of the flat-bottomed boats had been burnt, that the fleet still continued the bombardment when the Express came away, and that they could not therefore as yet precisely know the loss of the enemy.

I might also add that an account was this morning received that some of the French were landed in Kent, and orders began to be given out in consequence, when about two hours after another account arrived, saying that the former was all a mistake, I have, &c., &c. C. JENKINSON.

MR. JENKINSON TO MR. GRENVILLE.

London, July 17, 1759.

DEAR SIR,-As I am sure you are convinced how sin

cerely I grieve and condole with you and Mrs. Grenville

for the loss' you have so lately sustained, I will not contribute by the use of many words to renew your own sorrow on this melancholy occasion.

I will rather endeavour to divert it, and as you are a Captain of Militia, I will first tell you that the Norfolk Militia passed this day in review before the King, and in the opinion of every one made a very good

appearance. Lord Orford' marched at the head of them as Brigadier-General, having a Commission given him for that purpose.

The cap of their Grenadiers was of an uncommon shape; they are like the Devils' caps on the stage, and one of each pair of colours is black, with the arms of the county upon it. The King appeared very much pleased, and Lord Orford seemed justly proud thus to have 1200 of his countrymen following him for the defence of his country.

He

Prince Ferdinand is retreated to Osnaburgh. left the passage to Hanover open to the French, but they did not choose to enter: the truth is they were afraid to leave our army in the rear, which was what the Prince wanted; but they are resolved, if they do enter Hanover, to drive our army into it before them.

Boscawen sends accounts that there are preparations at Toulon which will make the French fleet equal in number to his own. I am, &c., &c. C. JENKINSON.

The death of their eldest son, Richard Percy Grenville, about seven years of age.

2

George, third Earl of Orford, grandson of Sir Robert Walpole. He was Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk. The review of his regiment of Militia took place in Hyde Park, and is mentioned with great satisfaction by his uncle, Horace Walpole (Correspondence, vol. iii. p. 463); and also by Mr. Pitt, in the Chatham Correspondence (vol. ii. p. 4).

MR. PITT TO MR. GRENVILLE.

Hayes, July 21, 1759.

my

MY DEAR GRENVILLE,—I should attempt in vain to give expression to the sentiments of heart for you and Mrs. Grenville, nor is consolation to be offered but by the hand of Time, aided by the very source of your present just affliction, parental tenderness for the dear gifts of Heaven which remain; and may that protecting Heaven preserve them to you, and both of you to them, to each other, to your family, and friends! I learn with infinite satisfaction that your health and Mrs. Grenville's has been able to support itself. Give every attention to that article I beseech you, for without competent strength of body, vain are the efforts of the strongest and wisest minds.

I will not resign the hope of a run, some day this summer, to Wotton, for the health and comfort of which I form the sincerest unceasing wishes. I am ever, &c., &c.

W. PITT.

MR. JENKINSON TO MR. GRENVILLE.

London, July 26, 1759. DEAR SIR,—I am obliged to leave town, and be thereby deprived of an opportunity of transmitting you intelligence just at a time when news was likely to arise that was worth sending; besides what might be expected from the West Indies, the armies on the Continent are at present placed in such a situation that events must probably have already happened which will determine not only the fate of this campaign, but also of the war. The cause of my going out of town is to attend a brother

who has lately had the Small Pox very bad, and is going into the country to recover his health. I set out therefore for Hampshire to-morrow morning: I shall stay, however, as little time there as possibly I can, that I may return again to town to hunt a certain Minister', who never does a favour with a good grace, and must fairly be run down if you mean to have him accomplish any promise he has made to you.

Lord Harcourt has again written to him in a more serious and urgent manner than can be imagined consistent with that great kindness with which he has always indulged me, but it has as yet produced no effect. Every time I see his Grace he still repeats to me the same promises. His own people, West and Jones, have put him in mind of it, but all will not as yet bring him to a performance. I shall follow, however, the advice of my friends, and continue to pursue the blow, though it is the most irksome and ungenerous task I was ever engaged in in

my life.

Anything directed to me at Winchester will find me. I am, &c., &c.

C. JENKINSON.

MR. JENKINSON TO MR. GRENVILLE.

Winton, August 6, 1759.

DEAR SIR,―The only things worthy of observation in this place are the French prisoners, and a regiment of Militia. The number of the first amounts at present to 3600 they consist of all nations: there are some even Turks, many Irish, and a few days ago a Militia-man of Wiltshire discovered his own brother. They are con

1 The Duke of Newcastle.