had not your majesty commanded it, and had I not been certain
that your peace is much disturbed by the contrivance of that
turbulent man. I shall only add that I will dispose several whom
I know to wish him well to solicit for his establishment in
power, that you may seem to yield to their entreaties, and the
finesse be less liable to be discovered.

"I hope to have the honour to attend your majesty {305} in a few
days; which I will do privately, that my public presence may
give him no umbrage.

(Signed) ROBERT WALPOLE

"(Dated) 24. January, 1741."

As it seems incredible that Walpole could have written such a letter;
and the editor does not say where it is taken from, or where the
original is, I beg to ask any of your readers whether they have ever
seen the letter elsewhere, or attributed by any other writer to Walpole?
The editor adds, "accordingly, the scheme took place very soon after,
and Mr. Pulteney was in 1742 dignified with the titles before mentioned,
i.e. Earl of Bath, &c."

G.

* * * * *

BISHOPS OF OSSORY.

Acting on "R.R.'s" excellent suggestion (No. 16. p. 243. _antè_), I beg