me. Don't say, he knows it, it is to no purpose--speaking to
anybody. . . . Speaking does operate if you esteem the person who
speaks, and those who are silent have an indifference about what
happens to their friends which I know you have not. There is an old
translation of Plutarch two hundred years old by Amyot, in twelve or
fourteen volumes 12mo. bound in blue maroc. Gibbon tells me that it
is a very rare and valuable book, one of the first translations
which was in that language, and has infinite merit. The print is not
good enough for me, it will come high and I seldom read. I must buy
quartos now, large letter, and books of another kind which amuse me
more. Lady Holland has got well again. Scott has left 200,000 pounds
and two daughters who divide it. ... I hear some good news is come
to-day from America. I shall know more of it from this dinner I am
going to. I have no mind to go, but cannot recede. I hope that my
spirits will be the better for it, but it is the gloomiest day I
ever knew. The Duchess of Kingston is in a great fright for the
consequences of her trial. Where she is to be tried is not yet
decided. Most people I take it for granted wish it may be in
Westminster Hall. Lord Mansfield opposes it. It is near five so I
shall take my leave. I wrote this for fear this dinner and a nap,
etc., might prevent my writing. My respects to Lady C. and the dear
children.

(133) Lord Bolingbroke.

(134) This letter was not included in those printed by the
Historical MSS. Commission.


In this last letter Selwyn notes the arrival of news from America.