The Letters of Horace Walpole, Earl of Oxford Volume 7 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1858 edition. Excerpt: ...I have always encouraged myself in being superstitious on the favourable side. I never, like most superstitious people, believe auguries against my wishes. We have been fortunate in the escape of Mrs. Damer, and in the defeat at Jersey, even before Mr. Conway arrived; and thence I depend on the same future prosperity. From the authority of persons who do not reason on such airy hopes, I am seriously persuaded, that if the fleets engage, the enemy will not gain advantage without deep-felt loss, enough, probably, to dismay their invasion. Coolness may succeed, and then negotiation. Surely, if we can weather the summer, we shall, obstinate as we are against conviction, be compelled, by the want of money, to relinquish our ridiculous pretensions, now proved to be utterly impracticable; for, with an inferior navy at home, can we assert sovereignty over America? It is a contradiction in terms and in fact. It may be hard of digestion to relinquish it, but it is impossible to pursue it. Adieu, my dear Madam I have not left room for a line more, 1837. TO THE REV. WILLIAM MASON. Strawberry Hill, Wednesday night late, Aug. 18, 1779. All is true that you will see in the papers of the 'Marlborough, ' 'Isis, ' and ' Southampton' being chased by the French and Spanish fleets of sixty or sixty-three sail, as the former were going to join Sir Charles Hardy. To-day came another express, that the united squadron was off Falmouth on Saturday. They are probably come to seek and fight our fleet, which, if not joined by those three ships, consists of but thirty-six--on whom depends our fate I could give you details of unreadiness at home that would shock you: miracles alone can counteract it, and them have we merited? If Hardy does not vanquish to deletion of...