From Mr. Thomas Chamberlayne to Sir H. Mann.

'Capranica: November 18, 1747.

' . . . The family at Rome . . . was informed, by one who arrived
there last October from London, that there are twelve persons, whose
names I could not learn, but none of distinction, that are formed in
a club or society, and meet at the Nag's Head in East Street,
Holborn. They have bound themselves under most solemn oaths that
this winter they will post themselves in different parts of the City
of London mostly frequented by His Royal Highness, the Duke of
Cumberland, in his night visits [to whom?], and are resolved to lay
violent hands on his royal person. The parole among the different
parties in their respective posts is The Bloody Butcher. They are
all resolute fellows, who first declared at their entering in this
conspiracy to despise death or torture. This motive is worthy of
your care, so I am certain you'll make proper use of it . . .

'THOMAS CHAMBERLAYNE.'


If Charles afterwards attempted to repay in kind the attentions of
his royal cousins, or of their ministers, this can hardly be reckoned
inhuman. If he was fluttering the Courts, they--Prussia, Russia,
France, Poland--were leading him the life of a tracked beast. They
were determined to drive him into the Papal domains; even in Venice
he was harried by spies. {63} On May 30, to retrace our steps, Mann,
from Florence, reports that Charles has arrived at the Papal Nuncio's