(1039) Anthony Ashley Cooper, fourth Earl of Shaftsbury. he died in 1771.-D.

(1040) Daughter of George Bailie, Esq.  See an epistle from Arthur Gray, her footman, to her, in the poems of Lady Mary Wortley Montagu. [Lady Murray of Stanhope.  She was a woman of merit and ability, and of excellent conduct.  She was an intimate friend of Lady Hervey, who, in her letters, thus speaks of her;—­“I have lost the first friend I had—­the kindest, best, and most valuable one I ever had, with whom I have lived at her grandfather’s, Lord Marchmont."-E.]

496 Letter 321 To George Montagu, Esq.  Strawberry Hill, June 23, 1759.

As you bid me fix a day about six weeks from the date of your last, it will suit me extremely to see you here the 1st of August.  I don’t mean to treat you with a rowing for a badge, but it will fall in very commodely between my parties.  You tell me nothing of the old house you were to see near Blenheim:  I have some suspicion that Greatworth is coming into play again.  I made your speeches to Mr. Chute, and to Mr. M`untz, and to myself; your snuff-box is bespoke, your pictures not done, the print of Lady Waldegrave not begun.

news there are none, unless you have a mind for a panic about the invasion.  I was in town yesterday, and saw a thousand people at Kensington with faces as long as if it was the last accession of this family that they were ever to See.  The French are coming with fifty thousand men, and we shall meet them with fifty addresses.  Pray, if you know how, frighten your neighbours, and give them courage at the same time.

My Lady Coventry and my niece Waldegrave have been mobbed in the Park.  I am sorry the people of England take all their liberty out in insulting pretty women.

You will be diverted with what happened to Mr. Meynell lately.  He was engaged to dine at a formal old lady’s, but stayed so late hunting that he had not time to dress, but -went as he was, with forty apologies.  The matron very affected, and meaning to say something very civil, cried, “Oh!  Sir, I assure you I can see the gentleman through a pair of buckskin breeches as well as if he was in silk or satin.”

I am sure I can’t tell you any thing better, so good night!  Yours ever.

P. s.  I hope you have as gorgeous weather as we have; it is even hot enough for Mr. Bentley.  I live upon the water.

497 Letter 322 To Sir Horace Mann.  Strawberry Hill, July 8, 1759.

This will be the most indecisive of all letters:  I don’t write to tell you that the French are not landed at Deal, as was believed yesterday.  An officer arrived post in the middle of the night, who saw them disembark.  The King was called; my lord Ligonier buckled on his armour.  Nothing else was talked of in the streets; yet there was no panic.(1041) Before noon, it was known that the invasion was a few Dutch hoys.  The day before, it was triumph.  Rodney was known to be before Havre