my last command through Holland cost me, though the States-General, had, by a public act, represented my conduct so advantageously, to our court; so that on the whole I think no man was ever more contemptuously used, who was not a wretch lost in character and reputation.  It requires all the philosophy one can Master, not to show the strongest resentment.  I think I have as much as my neighbours, and I shall endeavour to use it; yet not so as to betray quite an unmanly insensibility to such extraordinary provocation.  Horace Walpole has, on this occasion, shown that warmth of friendship that you know him capable of, so strongly that I want words to express my sense of it.  I have not yet had time to see or hear from any of the rest of my friends who are in the way of this bustle; many of them have, I believe, taken their part, for different reasons, another way, and I am sure I shall never say a word to make them abandon what they think their own interest for my petty cause.  Nor am I anxious enough in the object of my own fortune to wish for their taking any step that may endanger theirs in any degree.  With retrenchments and economy I may be able to go on, and this great political wheel, that is always in motion, may one day or other turn me up, that am but the fly upon it.(608)

I shall go to town for ,i few days soon, and probably to court, I suppose to be frowned upon, for I am not treated with the same civility as others who are in determined opposition.  Give my best love and compliments to all with you, and believe me, dear brother, ever most affectionately yours, H. S. C.

(605) As two of Mr. Walpole’s letters, relative to General Conway’s dismissal, are wanting, the Editor is glad to be able to supply their place by two letters on the subject from the General himself; and as his dismissal was, both in its principle and consequences, a very important political event, as well as a principal topic in Mr. Walpole’s succeeding letters, it is thought that General Conway’s own view of it cannot fail to be acceptable.

(606) General Conway and Mr. Walpole seem to have taken the argument on too low a scale.  Their anxiety seems to have been, to show that the General was not in decided opposition; thereby appearing to admit, that if he had been so, the dismissal would have been justifiable.  It is however clear from Mr. Walpole’s own accounts, that Conway was considered as not only in opposition, but as one of the most distinguished leaders of the party, —­and so the public thought:  witness the following extract from “a letter” from Albemarle-street to the Cocoa-tree, published about this period:—­“Amongst the foremost stands a gallant general, pointed out for supreme command by the unanimous voice of his grateful country:  England has a Conway, the powers of whose eloquence, Inspired by his zeal for liberty, animated by the fire of true genius, and furnished with a sound knowledge of the constitution, at once entertain, ravish, convince, conquer:—­ such noble examples are the riches of the present age, the treasures of posterity."-C.