[Illustration: THE VISCOUNTESS ANSON]

THE LETTER-BAG OF LADY ELIZABETH SPENCER-STANHOPE

COMPILED FROM THE CANNON HALL PAPERS, 1806-1873
BY A. M. W. STIRLING

TWO VOLUMES: VOLUME ONE




"_TON_ IS INDEED A CAMELEON WHOSE HUE CHANGES WITH EVERY RAY OF LIGHT."
_ALMACK'S_




TO CHARLES G. STIRLING
THIS BOOK IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED




PREFACE


The following papers, which extend over a space of nearly seventy years
during a most interesting period of our National History, may be said to
form a sequel and a conclusion to two previous publications, _Coke of