July 27, 2025 • 16 mins
Immerse yourself in Georgian England as depicted through the charming and witty letters of Horace Walpole, the 4th Earl of Orford. An active participant and keen observer of social and political life, Walpoles letters offer a vivid snapshot of the era. Virginia Woolf described him as a man who could beautifully capture every gift and foible of his time - his long life reflecting a panorama of houses, friends, wars, snuff boxes, revolutions, and lap dogs, all playing out against the serene blue sky. Join us as we delve into these valuable historical documents, brought to life by Barbara2.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Section eighteen of Horace Swarphole's Letters a selection. This is
a LibriVox recording on LibriVox recordings are in the public domain.
A loss of America and all credit in Europe, the
real distinction of Chatham, the question of Chatterton. To the
(00:21):
evend William Cole Strawberry Hill during the third seventeen seventy eight,
I will not dispute with you, dear Siron Patriots and politics.
One point is past controversy that the ministers have ruined
this country. And if the Church of England is satisfied
with being reconciled to the Church of Rome and thinks
(00:43):
it a compensation for the loss of America and all
credit in Europe, she is as silly an old woman
as any granny in an armshouse. France is very glad
we are grown such fools, and soon saw that the
Presbyterian doctor Franklin had more sense than our ministers. Together
(01:03):
she has got over all her prejudices, has expelled the
Jesuits and made the Protestants, with Snecker her controller general.
It is a little woeful that we are relapsing into
the nonsense. The rest of Europe is shaking off and
it is more deplorable. As we know by repeated experience
that this country has always been disgraced by Tory administrations.
(01:28):
The rubric is the only gainer by them in a
few martyrs. I do not know yet what is settled
about the spot of Lord Chatham's interment. I am not
more an enthusiast to his memory than you. I knew
his faults and his defects. Yet one great fact cannot
(01:52):
only not be controverted, but I doubt more remarkable every day.
I mean that under him we not only our highest elevation,
but the most solid authority in Europe. When the names
of Marlborough and Chatham are still pronounced with awe in France,
our little cavils make a puny sound. Nations that are
(02:16):
beaten cannot be mistaken ellipses. If mister Turrett has opened
his eyes to Chatterdan's forgeries, there is an instance of
conviction against strong prejudice. I have drawn up an account
of my transaction with that marvelous young man. You shall
see it one day or other, but I do not
(02:37):
intend to print it. I have taken a thorough dislike
to being an author, and if it would not look
like begging you to compliment me by contradicting me. I
would tell you what I am most seriously convinced of,
that I find what small share of parts I had
grown dulled. And when I perceive it myself, I may
(03:00):
well believe that others would not be less sharp sighted.
It is very natural mine were spirits rather than parts,
and as time has abated the one, it must surely
destroy their resemblance to the other. Pray, don't say a
syllable in reply on this head, I shall have done
exactly what I said I would not do. Besides, as
(03:23):
you have always been too partial to me, I am
on my guard, and when I will not expose myself
to my enemies, I must not listen to the prejudices
of my friends. And as nobody is more partial to
me than you, there is nobody I must trust less
in that respect. Yours most sincerely, the threat of invasion,
(03:46):
his reasons for not fearing it. The truth about Lord
Chatham tis Horra's Man, Strawberry Hill, July the seven, seventy
seventy eight. It is true we are threatened with invasion.
You ask me why I seem to apprehend less than
formerly For many reasons. In the first place, I am
(04:08):
above thirty years older. Come one fear anything in the
dregs of life as at the beginning. Experience too has
taught me that nothing happens in proportion to our conceptions.
I have learnt too exceedingly to undervalue human policy chance
and folly counteract most of its wisdom. From the memoir
(04:33):
de Noaii, I have learnt that between the years seventeen
forty and seventeen fifty, when I i am my Lord,
Chesterfield too had such gloomy thoughts, France was trembling with
dread of us. These are general reasons. My particular ones
are that if France meditated a considerable blow, she has
(04:55):
neglected her opportunity. Last year we had neither army nor
or a manned fleet at home. Now we have a
larger and better army than ever we had in this island,
and a strong fleet. Within these three days our West
India Mediterranean fleets for which we have been in great pain,
are arrived and bring not only above two millions, but
(05:18):
such a host of sailors as will supply the deficiencies
in our unequipped men of war. The country is covered
with camps. General Conway, who has been to one of them,
speaks with astonishment of the fineness of the men of
the regiments, of their discipline and maneuvering. In short, the
(05:39):
French court has taught all our young nobility to be soldiers.
The Duke of Grafton, who was the most indolent of ministers,
is the most indefatigable of officers. For my part, I'm
almost afraid that there will be a larger military spirit
amongst omen of quality that is wholesome to our constance.
(06:02):
France will have done us hurt enough if she has
turned us into generals instead of senators. I can conceive
another reason my France should not choose to venture an invasion.
It is certain that at least five American provinces wish
for peace with us. Nor could I think that thirteen
(06:24):
English provinces will be pleased at seeing England invaded. Any
considerable blow received by US would turn their new allies
into haughty protectors. Should we accept a bad peace, America
would find her treaty with them a very bad one.
In short, I have treated you with speculations instead of facts.
(06:47):
I know, but one of the latter sort, the King's
army has evacuated Philadelphia from having eaten up the country,
and has returned to New York. Thus it is more
compact and has less to defend Ellipses. Fanaticism in a
nation is no novelty. But you must know that though
(07:08):
the effects were so solid, the late appearance of enthusiasm
about Lord Chatham was nothing but a general affectation of enthusiasm.
It was a contention of hypocrisy between the opposition and
the court, which did not last even to his burial.
Not three of the court attended it, and not a
(07:29):
dozen of the minority of any note. He himself said
between his fall in the House of Lords and his death,
that when he came to himself, not one of his
old acquaintance of the court, but Lord Dispenser, so much
as asked how he did. Do you imagine people are
struck with the death of a man who were not
(07:52):
struck with a sudden appearance of his death. We do
not counterfeit so easily on a surprise as and when
we are cool on surprise, we do not go agitated
on reflection. Lafayette, the folly of hoping to regain the
lost colonies to the Horace Man, Arlington Street, Marchess, twenty second,
(08:16):
seventeen seventy nine. When one talks on general themes, it
is a sign of having little to say. It is
not that there is a dearth of topics, but I
only prefer sending you information, necessary information on events that
really have happened, to guide you towards forming a judgment.
(08:37):
At home, we are fed with magnificent hopes and promises
that are never realized. For instance, to prove discord in America,
Monsieur de Lafayette was said to rail at the Congress
and their whole system and transactions. There is just published
an intercourse between that exhibits enthusiasm in him towards their
(08:58):
cause and the high esteem for him on their side.
For my part, I see as little chance of recovering
America as of reconquering the Holy Land. Still I do
not amuse you with visions on either side, but tell
you nakedly what advantage has been gained or lost. This
caution abbreviates my letters, but in general you can depend
(09:21):
on what I tell you adieu to say. The twenty fourth,
I hear this moment that an account has come this
morning of Deathstaine with sixteen ships being blocked up by
Byron at Martinico, and that Rolly with eight more was
expected by the latter in a day or two. Destaant
(09:42):
is supposed or be starved to surrender in the island too.
I do not answer for this intelligence or consequences, but
if the first is believed, you may be sure the
rest is cross currents in the ministry, characteristics of the
Italians and the fre tis the horace Man's Strawberry Hill
to large seven seventeen seventy nine. The Parliament rose last Saturday,
(10:09):
not without an open division in the Ministry. Lord Gower
President the Council, heading an opposition to a bill for
doubling the militia which had passed the Commons, and throwing
it out, which Lord North As publicly resented. I make
no comments on this, because I really know nothing of
the motives. Thoroughly convinced that all my ideas are superannuated
(10:33):
and too old to learn new lessons, I only hear
what passes, pretend to understand nothing, and wait patiently for
events as they present themselves. I listen enough to be
able to acquaint you with facts of public notoriety but
attempt to explain none of them if they do not
carry legibility in the van. Your nephew, who lives more
(10:58):
in the world and is coming to you, will be
far more master of the details. He called here some
few days ago as I was going out to dinner,
but has kindly promised to come and dine here before
he sets out his journey. Is infinitely commendable, is entirely
undertaken to please you. It will be very comfortable too.
(11:19):
Is surely the concourse of English must debate, especially as
France is interdict Traveling boys and self sufficient governors would
be an encumbrance to you. Could to see more of
your countrymen of more satisfactory conversation. Florence probably has improved
since it had a court of its own, and there
(11:39):
must be men a little more enlightened than the poor Italians.
Scarcely any of the latter that ever I knew, but
if they had, parts were buffoons. I believe the boasted
finesse of the ruling clergy is pretty much a traditionary notion,
like their jealousy. More nations than one live on former
(12:01):
characters after they are totally changed. I have been often
and much in France, in the provinces they may still
be gay and lively. But at Paris, baiting the p
etuie of very young men, I protest, I scarcely ever
saw anything alike vivacity. The Duc de Choiseul alone had
(12:22):
more than any hundred frenchmen I could select. Their women
are the first in the world, and everything but beauty, sensible, agreeable,
and infinitely informed. The fillers are, except Beaufoon, are solemn, arrogant, dictatorial, Coxcombs,
(12:44):
I need not say, superlatively disagreeable. The rest are amazingly
ignorant in general and void of all conversation. But the
routine with women, my dear and very old friend in
square brackets, Madame de Defot is a relic of a
better age, and at nearly eighty four, has all the
(13:04):
impetuosity that was the character of the French. They have
not found out, I believe, how much their nation is
sunk in Europe. Probably the Goths and Vandals of the
North will open their eyes before a century has passed.
Cost of the American War, attacks on Sir Robert Warpold's memory,
(13:29):
the honor of Pope, the shame of swift and Bolombrook
'tis a horace Man Berkeley Square, January thirteen, seventeen eighteen.
What might have been expected much sooner appears at last
a good deal of discontent, but chiefly where it was
not much expected. The country gentlemen, after encouraging the Court
(13:51):
to war with the America, now not very decently, are
angry at the expense, as they have long seen the
pro fusion. It would have been happy had they murmured sooner.
Very serious associations are forming in many counties and orders
under the title of petitions coming to Parliament for correcting abuses.
(14:14):
They talk of the waste of money, are silent on
the thousands of lives that have been sacrificed. But when
are human lives counted by any side? Ellipses. I once
more got abroad, but more pleased to be able to
do so than charmed with anything I have to do,
(14:36):
having outlived the glory and felicity of my country. I
carry that reflection with me wherever I go. Last night,
at Strawberry Hill I took up to divert my thoughts
a volume of letters to Swift from Bolinbrog, Bathurst and Gay.
And what was there but lamentations on the ruin of
(14:57):
England in that era of its prosperity in peace from
wretches who thought their own want of power a proof
that their country was undone. Oh, my father, twenty years
of peace and credit, and happiness and liberty were punishments
to rascals who weighed everything in the scales of self.
(15:20):
It was to the honor of Pope that, though leagued
with such a crew, and though an idolator of their
arch fiend Bolingbrook, and in awe of the malignant swift,
he never gave in to their venomous railings, railings against
a man who, in twenty years never attempted a stretch
of power, did nothing but the common business of administration.
(15:41):
And by that temperance and steady, verdue and unalterable good
humor and superior wisdom baffled all the efforts of faction,
and annihilated the falsely boasted abilities of Bolombrook, which now
appear as moderate as his character was in every light detestable.
(16:02):
But alas that retrospect doubled my chagrin, instead of diverting it,
I soon forgot an impotent cabal of mock patriots But
the scene they vainly sought to disturb rushed on my mind, and,
like Hamlet on the side of your eck's skull, I
recollected the prosperity of Denmark when my father ruled, and
(16:25):
compared it with the present moment. I look about for
a Sir Robert Wullpole, But where is he to be found?
End of Section eighteen.
Section eighteen of Horace Swarphole's Letters a selection. This is
a LibriVox recording on LibriVox recordings are in the public domain.
A loss of America and all credit in Europe, the
real distinction of Chatham, the question of Chatterton. To the
(00:21):
evend William Cole Strawberry Hill during the third seventeen seventy eight,
I will not dispute with you, dear Siron Patriots and politics.
One point is past controversy that the ministers have ruined
this country. And if the Church of England is satisfied
with being reconciled to the Church of Rome and thinks
(00:43):
it a compensation for the loss of America and all
credit in Europe, she is as silly an old woman
as any granny in an armshouse. France is very glad
we are grown such fools, and soon saw that the
Presbyterian doctor Franklin had more sense than our ministers. Together
(01:03):
she has got over all her prejudices, has expelled the
Jesuits and made the Protestants, with Snecker her controller general.
It is a little woeful that we are relapsing into
the nonsense. The rest of Europe is shaking off and
it is more deplorable. As we know by repeated experience
that this country has always been disgraced by Tory administrations.
(01:28):
The rubric is the only gainer by them in a
few martyrs. I do not know yet what is settled
about the spot of Lord Chatham's interment. I am not
more an enthusiast to his memory than you. I knew
his faults and his defects. Yet one great fact cannot
(01:52):
only not be controverted, but I doubt more remarkable every day.
I mean that under him we not only our highest elevation,
but the most solid authority in Europe. When the names
of Marlborough and Chatham are still pronounced with awe in France,
our little cavils make a puny sound. Nations that are
(02:16):
beaten cannot be mistaken ellipses. If mister Turrett has opened
his eyes to Chatterdan's forgeries, there is an instance of
conviction against strong prejudice. I have drawn up an account
of my transaction with that marvelous young man. You shall
see it one day or other, but I do not
(02:37):
intend to print it. I have taken a thorough dislike
to being an author, and if it would not look
like begging you to compliment me by contradicting me. I
would tell you what I am most seriously convinced of,
that I find what small share of parts I had
grown dulled. And when I perceive it myself, I may
(03:00):
well believe that others would not be less sharp sighted.
It is very natural mine were spirits rather than parts,
and as time has abated the one, it must surely
destroy their resemblance to the other. Pray, don't say a
syllable in reply on this head, I shall have done
exactly what I said I would not do. Besides, as
(03:23):
you have always been too partial to me, I am
on my guard, and when I will not expose myself
to my enemies, I must not listen to the prejudices
of my friends. And as nobody is more partial to
me than you, there is nobody I must trust less
in that respect. Yours most sincerely, the threat of invasion,
(03:46):
his reasons for not fearing it. The truth about Lord
Chatham tis Horra's Man, Strawberry Hill, July the seven, seventy
seventy eight. It is true we are threatened with invasion.
You ask me why I seem to apprehend less than
formerly For many reasons. In the first place, I am
(04:08):
above thirty years older. Come one fear anything in the
dregs of life as at the beginning. Experience too has
taught me that nothing happens in proportion to our conceptions.
I have learnt too exceedingly to undervalue human policy chance
and folly counteract most of its wisdom. From the memoir
(04:33):
de Noaii, I have learnt that between the years seventeen
forty and seventeen fifty, when I i am my Lord,
Chesterfield too had such gloomy thoughts, France was trembling with
dread of us. These are general reasons. My particular ones
are that if France meditated a considerable blow, she has
(04:55):
neglected her opportunity. Last year we had neither army nor
or a manned fleet at home. Now we have a
larger and better army than ever we had in this island,
and a strong fleet. Within these three days our West
India Mediterranean fleets for which we have been in great pain,
are arrived and bring not only above two millions, but
(05:18):
such a host of sailors as will supply the deficiencies
in our unequipped men of war. The country is covered
with camps. General Conway, who has been to one of them,
speaks with astonishment of the fineness of the men of
the regiments, of their discipline and maneuvering. In short, the
(05:39):
French court has taught all our young nobility to be soldiers.
The Duke of Grafton, who was the most indolent of ministers,
is the most indefatigable of officers. For my part, I'm
almost afraid that there will be a larger military spirit
amongst omen of quality that is wholesome to our constance.
(06:02):
France will have done us hurt enough if she has
turned us into generals instead of senators. I can conceive
another reason my France should not choose to venture an invasion.
It is certain that at least five American provinces wish
for peace with us. Nor could I think that thirteen
(06:24):
English provinces will be pleased at seeing England invaded. Any
considerable blow received by US would turn their new allies
into haughty protectors. Should we accept a bad peace, America
would find her treaty with them a very bad one.
In short, I have treated you with speculations instead of facts.
(06:47):
I know, but one of the latter sort, the King's
army has evacuated Philadelphia from having eaten up the country,
and has returned to New York. Thus it is more
compact and has less to defend Ellipses. Fanaticism in a
nation is no novelty. But you must know that though
(07:08):
the effects were so solid, the late appearance of enthusiasm
about Lord Chatham was nothing but a general affectation of enthusiasm.
It was a contention of hypocrisy between the opposition and
the court, which did not last even to his burial.
Not three of the court attended it, and not a
(07:29):
dozen of the minority of any note. He himself said
between his fall in the House of Lords and his death,
that when he came to himself, not one of his
old acquaintance of the court, but Lord Dispenser, so much
as asked how he did. Do you imagine people are
struck with the death of a man who were not
(07:52):
struck with a sudden appearance of his death. We do
not counterfeit so easily on a surprise as and when
we are cool on surprise, we do not go agitated
on reflection. Lafayette, the folly of hoping to regain the
lost colonies to the Horace Man, Arlington Street, Marchess, twenty second,
(08:16):
seventeen seventy nine. When one talks on general themes, it
is a sign of having little to say. It is
not that there is a dearth of topics, but I
only prefer sending you information, necessary information on events that
really have happened, to guide you towards forming a judgment.
(08:37):
At home, we are fed with magnificent hopes and promises
that are never realized. For instance, to prove discord in America,
Monsieur de Lafayette was said to rail at the Congress
and their whole system and transactions. There is just published
an intercourse between that exhibits enthusiasm in him towards their
(08:58):
cause and the high esteem for him on their side.
For my part, I see as little chance of recovering
America as of reconquering the Holy Land. Still I do
not amuse you with visions on either side, but tell
you nakedly what advantage has been gained or lost. This
caution abbreviates my letters, but in general you can depend
(09:21):
on what I tell you adieu to say. The twenty fourth,
I hear this moment that an account has come this
morning of Deathstaine with sixteen ships being blocked up by
Byron at Martinico, and that Rolly with eight more was
expected by the latter in a day or two. Destaant
(09:42):
is supposed or be starved to surrender in the island too.
I do not answer for this intelligence or consequences, but
if the first is believed, you may be sure the
rest is cross currents in the ministry, characteristics of the
Italians and the fre tis the horace Man's Strawberry Hill
to large seven seventeen seventy nine. The Parliament rose last Saturday,
(10:09):
not without an open division in the Ministry. Lord Gower
President the Council, heading an opposition to a bill for
doubling the militia which had passed the Commons, and throwing
it out, which Lord North As publicly resented. I make
no comments on this, because I really know nothing of
the motives. Thoroughly convinced that all my ideas are superannuated
(10:33):
and too old to learn new lessons, I only hear
what passes, pretend to understand nothing, and wait patiently for
events as they present themselves. I listen enough to be
able to acquaint you with facts of public notoriety but
attempt to explain none of them if they do not
carry legibility in the van. Your nephew, who lives more
(10:58):
in the world and is coming to you, will be
far more master of the details. He called here some
few days ago as I was going out to dinner,
but has kindly promised to come and dine here before
he sets out his journey. Is infinitely commendable, is entirely
undertaken to please you. It will be very comfortable too.
(11:19):
Is surely the concourse of English must debate, especially as
France is interdict Traveling boys and self sufficient governors would
be an encumbrance to you. Could to see more of
your countrymen of more satisfactory conversation. Florence probably has improved
since it had a court of its own, and there
(11:39):
must be men a little more enlightened than the poor Italians.
Scarcely any of the latter that ever I knew, but
if they had, parts were buffoons. I believe the boasted
finesse of the ruling clergy is pretty much a traditionary notion,
like their jealousy. More nations than one live on former
(12:01):
characters after they are totally changed. I have been often
and much in France, in the provinces they may still
be gay and lively. But at Paris, baiting the p
etuie of very young men, I protest, I scarcely ever
saw anything alike vivacity. The Duc de Choiseul alone had
(12:22):
more than any hundred frenchmen I could select. Their women
are the first in the world, and everything but beauty, sensible, agreeable,
and infinitely informed. The fillers are, except Beaufoon, are solemn, arrogant, dictatorial, Coxcombs,
(12:44):
I need not say, superlatively disagreeable. The rest are amazingly
ignorant in general and void of all conversation. But the
routine with women, my dear and very old friend in
square brackets, Madame de Defot is a relic of a
better age, and at nearly eighty four, has all the
(13:04):
impetuosity that was the character of the French. They have
not found out, I believe, how much their nation is
sunk in Europe. Probably the Goths and Vandals of the
North will open their eyes before a century has passed.
Cost of the American War, attacks on Sir Robert Warpold's memory,
(13:29):
the honor of Pope, the shame of swift and Bolombrook
'tis a horace Man Berkeley Square, January thirteen, seventeen eighteen.
What might have been expected much sooner appears at last
a good deal of discontent, but chiefly where it was
not much expected. The country gentlemen, after encouraging the Court
(13:51):
to war with the America, now not very decently, are
angry at the expense, as they have long seen the
pro fusion. It would have been happy had they murmured sooner.
Very serious associations are forming in many counties and orders
under the title of petitions coming to Parliament for correcting abuses.
(14:14):
They talk of the waste of money, are silent on
the thousands of lives that have been sacrificed. But when
are human lives counted by any side? Ellipses. I once
more got abroad, but more pleased to be able to
do so than charmed with anything I have to do,
(14:36):
having outlived the glory and felicity of my country. I
carry that reflection with me wherever I go. Last night,
at Strawberry Hill I took up to divert my thoughts
a volume of letters to Swift from Bolinbrog, Bathurst and Gay.
And what was there but lamentations on the ruin of
(14:57):
England in that era of its prosperity in peace from
wretches who thought their own want of power a proof
that their country was undone. Oh, my father, twenty years
of peace and credit, and happiness and liberty were punishments
to rascals who weighed everything in the scales of self.
(15:20):
It was to the honor of Pope that, though leagued
with such a crew, and though an idolator of their
arch fiend Bolingbrook, and in awe of the malignant swift,
he never gave in to their venomous railings, railings against
a man who, in twenty years never attempted a stretch
of power, did nothing but the common business of administration.
(15:41):
And by that temperance and steady, verdue and unalterable good
humor and superior wisdom baffled all the efforts of faction,
and annihilated the falsely boasted abilities of Bolombrook, which now
appear as moderate as his character was in every light detestable.
(16:02):
But alas that retrospect doubled my chagrin, instead of diverting it,
I soon forgot an impotent cabal of mock patriots But
the scene they vainly sought to disturb rushed on my mind, and,
like Hamlet on the side of your eck's skull, I
recollected the prosperity of Denmark when my father ruled, and
(16:25):
compared it with the present moment. I look about for
a Sir Robert Wullpole, But where is he to be found?
End of Section eighteen.
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