(507) Of Lord Carlisle’s tragedy, entitled " The Father’s Revenge,’ Dr. Johnson also entertained a favourable opinion.  “Of the sentiments,” he says, “I remember not one I wished omitted. in the imagery, I cannot forbear to distinguish the comparison of joy succeeding grief to light rushing on the eye accustomed to darkness.  It seems to have all that can be desired to make it please:  it is new, just, and delightful.  With the characters, either as conceived or preserved, I have no fault to find; but was much inclined to congratulate a writer, who, in defiance of prejudice and fashion, made the Archbishop a good man, and scorned all thoughtless applause which a vicious churchman would have brought him.”  It was with reference to this tragedy, that Lord Byron regretted the flippant and unjust sarcasms against his noble relation, which he had admitted into the early editions of his “English Bards and Scotch Reviewers,” under the mistaken impression that Lord Carlisle had intentionally slighted him.-E.

(508) What would Walpole say, if he could witness the alteration which has taken place in this respect since the year 1783?-E.

Letter 266 To Lady Browne.(509) Berkeley Square, Oct. 19, 1783. (page 336)

As it is not fit my better-half should be ignorant of the state of her worse-half, lest the gossips of the neighbourhood should suspect we are parted; let them know, my life, that I am much better to-day.  I have had a good deal of fever, and a bad night on Wednesday; but the last was much better, and the fever is much diminished to-day.  In short, I have so great an opinion of town-dried air, that I expect to be well enough to return to Twickenham on Monday; and, if I do, I will call on you that evening; though I have not been out of my house yet.  Indeed, it is unfortunate that so happy a couple, who have never exchanged a cross word, and who might claim the flitch of bacon, cannot be well—­the one in town, the other in the country.

(509) Now first printed

Letter 267 To Governor Pownall.  Strawberry Hill, Oct. 27, 1783. (page 336)

I am extremely obliged to you, Sir, for the valuable communication made to me.(510) It is extremely so to me, as it does justice to a memory I revere to the highest degree; and I flatter myself that it would be acceptable to that part of the world that loves truth; and that part will be the majority, as fast as they pass away -who have an interest in preferring falsehood.  Happily, truth is longer-lived than the passions of individuals; and, when mankind are not misled, they can distinguish white from black.  I myself do not pretend to be unprejudiced; I must be so to the best of fathers — I should be ashamed to be quite impartial.  No wonder, then, Sir, if I am greatly pleased with so able a justification; yet I am not so blinded, but that I can discern solid