extent of her capacity and the solidity of her reason.  We have by accident discovered, that she writes Latin like Pliny, and is learning Greek.  In Italy she will be a prodigy.  She models like Bernini, has excelled the moderns in the similitudes of her busts, and has lately begun one in marble.  You must keep all knowledge of these talents and acquisitions to yourself; she would never forgive my mentioning, at least her mental qualities.  You may just hint that I talked of her statuary, as you may assist her if she has a mind to borrow anything to copy from the Great Duke’s collection.  Lady William Campbell, her uncle’s widow, accompanies, who is a very reasonable woman too, and equally shy.  If they return through Florence, pray give them a parcel of my letters.  I had been told your nephew would make you a visit this autumn, but I have heard nothing from him.  If you should see him, pray give him the parcel, for he will return sooner than they.

[Footnote 1:  Mrs. Damer had devoted herself to sculpture with an ability which has given her a high place among artists.  The bust of Nelson in the armoury at Windsor is her work.]

I have a gouty pain in my hand, that would prevent my saying more, had I more to say.

CAPITULATION OF LORD CORNWALLIS—­PITT AND FOX.

TO SIR HORACE MANN.

Nov. 29, 1781.

Your nephew is arrived, as he has told you himself; the sight of him, for he called on me the next morning, was more than ordinarily welcome, though your letter of the 10th, which I received the night before, had dispelled many of my fears.  I will now unfold them to you.  A packet-boat from Ostend was lost last week, and your nephew was named for one of the passengers.  As Mrs. Noel had expected him for a fortnight, I own my apprehensions were strengthened; but I will say no more on a dissipated panic.  However, this incident and his half-wreck at Lerici will, I hope, prevent him from the future from staying with you so late in the year; and I see by your letter that you agree with me, of which I should be sure though you had not said so.

I mentioned on Tuesday the captivity of Lord Cornwallis and his army, the Columbus who was to bestow America on us again.  A second army[1] taken in a drag-net is an uncommon event, and happened but once to the Romans, who sought adventures everywhere.  We have not lowered our tone on this new disgrace, though I think we shall talk no more of insisting on implicit submission, which would rather be a gasconade than firmness.  In fact, there is one very unlucky circumstance already come out, which must drive every American, to a man, from ever calling himself our friend.  By the tenth article of the capitulation, Lord Cornwallis demanded that the loyal Americans in his army should not be punished.  This was flatly refused, and he has left them to be hanged.  I doubt no vote of Parliament will be able to blanch such a—­such