(689) Now first printed.

(690) At the close of the election, on the 2d of July, the numbers were, for Mr. Fox 3516, Lord Hood 3217, and Mr. Horne Took 1697.-E.

(691) Bruce’s “Travels to Discover the Source of the Nile” had just appeared, in five large quarto volumes.  It was dedicated to George the Third, who, while society in general raised a cry of incredulity against it, stood up warmly in its’ favour, and contended that it was a great work.-E.

Letter 350 To The Earl Of Strafford.  Strawberry Hill, June 26, 1790. (page 448)

I do not forget your lordship’s commands, though I do recollect my own inability to divert you.  Every year at my advanced time of life would make more reasonable my plea of knowing nothing worth repeating, especially at this season.  The general topic of elections is the last subject to which I could listen:  there is not one about which I care a straw; and I believe your lordship quite as indifferent.  I am not much more au fait of war. or peace; I hope for the latter, nay and expect it, because it is not yet war.  Pride and anger do not deliberate to the middle of the campaign; and I believe even the great incendiaries are more intent on making a good bargain than on saving their honour.  If they save lives, I care not who is the better politician; and, as I am not to be their judge, I do not inquire what false weights they fling into the scales.  Two-thirds of France, who are not so humble as I, seem to think they can entirely new-model the world with metaphysical compasses; and hold that no injustice, no barbarity, need to be counted in making the experiment.  Such legislators are sublime empirics, and in their universal benevolence have very little individual sensibility.  In short, the result of my reflections on what has passed in Europe for these latter centuries is, that tyrants have no consciences, and reformers no feeling; and the world suffers both by the plague and by the cure.  What oceans of blood were Luther and Calvin the authors of being spilt!  The late French government was detestable; yet I still doubt whether a civil war will not be the consequence of the revolution, and then what may be the upshot?  Brabant was grievously provoked; is it sure that it will be emancipated?  For how short a time do people who set out on the most just principles, advert to their first springs of motion, and retain consistency?  Nay, how long can promoters of revolutions be sure of maintaining their own ascendant?  They are like projectors, who are commonly ruined; while others make fortunes on the foundation laid by the inventors.

Letter 351 To The Hon. H. S. Conway.  Strawberry Hill, Wednesday night, July 1, 1790. (page 448)

It is certainly not from having any thing to tell you, that I reply so soon, but as the most agreeable thing I can do in my confinement.  The gout came into my heel the night before last, perhaps from the deluge and damp.  I increased it yesterday by limping about the house with a party I had to breakfast.  To-day I am lying on the settee, unable to walk alone, or even to put on a slipper.  However, as I am much easier this evening, I trust it will go off.