After reading “The Mysterious Mother,” who will accede to the opinion, that his works are “destitute of every charm that is derived from elevation, or from tenderness of sentiment?” (12)

But, with opinions as to the genius, the taste, or the talents of Lord Orford, this little notice has nothing to do.  It aims solely at rescuing his individual character from misconceptions.  Of the means necessary for this purpose, its writer, by the “painful preeminence” of age, remains the sole depositary, and being so, has submitted to the task of repelling such misconceptions.  It is done with the reluctance which must always be experienced in differing from, or calling in question, the opinions of a person, for whom is felt all the admiration and respect due to super-eminent abilities, and all the grateful pride and affectionate regard inspired by personal friendship.

M. B. October 1840.

(5) T. Babbington Macaulay.

(6) Sketch of the Life of Horace Walpole, by Lord Dover.  See vol. i.

(7) See Preface to Madame du Deffand’s Letters, p. xi.; and vol. ii. of this collection.

(8) See Edinburgh Review, vol. lviii. p. 233.

(9) Edinburgh Review, vol, lviii. p. 233.

(10) See vol. iii.

(11) See Edinburgh Review, vol. lviii. p. 232.

(12) Ibid., p. 237.

Second Advertisement

The last volume will be found to contain upwards of one hundred letters, introduced into no former edition of the Correspondence of Horace Walpole.  The greater part of them were written between the years 1789 and 1797, and were addressed to the Miss Berrys, during their residence in Italy.  They embrace most of the leading events of the first five years of the French Revolution; and wherever the facts detailed in the letters have appeared to require elucidation or confirmation, the Editor has generally had recourse to M. Thiers’s useful “History” of that great event; which has recently appeared in an English dress, accompanied with notes and illustrations, drawn from the most authentic sources.

While the last volume was at press, the Editor was favoured with a letter from the Right Honourable Sir Charles Grey, relative to the share which he considers Mr. Walpole to have had in the composition and publication of the Letters of Junius.

Albany Street, Regent’s Park,
October 28, 1840.

To the editor of the letters of Horace walpole,
earl of orford.

Sir,

1.  Before your last volume is published, I am desirous of stating to you some of the considerations which, more than seventeen years ago, led me to the belief I still entertain, that Walpole had a principal share in the composition and publication of the Letters of Junius:  though I think it likely that Mason, or some other friend corrected the style, and gave precision and force to the most striking passages.