Our great Edward, too, at an early period, had sense enough to understand the nature of the connexion between his abandoned mother and the detested Mortimer.

Junius:  when it was proposed to settle the present King’s household as Prince of Wales, it is well known that the Earl of Bute was forced into it in direct contradiction to the late King’s inclination. vol. ii. .-

Walpole:  Fox had an audience.  The monarch was sour, but endeavoured to keep his temper, yet made no concessions; no request to the retiring minister to stay.  At last he let slip the true cause of his indignation:  “You,” said he, “have made me make that puppy Bute groom of the stole."-Vol. ii. p. 92.

Though too long to be cited in these hurried notes, there are several other passages in which the coincidence of sentiment and expression and of the order in which the thoughts and arguments are ranged, is very remarkable:  and the difficulty of accounting otherwise for such coincidences between the Letters of Junius and the unpublished and secret Memoires of Walpole, first made me suspect that the two names might belong to one and the same person-Horace Walpole the younger.

4.  Being led by this conjecture to examine the other works of Walpole, I found, in them also, many echoes, as it were, of the voice of Junius, which it is singular should not have been more observed.  No One, I think, can collate the concluding portion of Walpole’s letter to Lord Bute, of February 15, 1762, and the latter part of the eulogium of Junius on Lord Chatham, without being struck by the similarity of manner and tone; and by the identity of that feeling, which, in both cases, prompts the writer, whilst he is elaborating compliments, to defend himself jealously against all suspicion of flattery or interested motives.

Transcriber’s note:  there follows a comparison of material from Junius and Walpole, set out in parallel columns.  I have changed these to a sequential arrangement.

Junius:  I did not intend to make a public declaration of the respect I bear Lord Chatham.  I well knew what unworthy conclusions would be drawn from it.  But I am called upon to deliver my opinion, and surely it is not in the little censure of Mr. Home to deter me from doing signal justice to a man who, I confess, has grown upon my esteem.  As for the common, sordid views of avarice, or any purpose of vulgar ambition, I question whether the applause of Junius would be of service to Lord Chatham.  My vote will hardly recommend him to an increase of his pension, or to a seat in the Cabinet.  But if his ambition be upon a level with his understanding; if he judges of what is truly honourable for himself with the same superior genius which animates and directs him to eloquence in debate, to wisdom in decision, even the pen of Junius shall contribute to reward him.  Recorded honour shall gather round his monument, and thicken over him.  It is a solid fabric, and will support the laurels that adorn it.  I am not conversant in the language of panegyric.  These praises are extorted from me; but they will wear well, for they have been dearly earned.-Vol. ii. p. 310.