post, and others were dropped into the letter-box in the window of the office. They were folded small and enclosed in an envelope. This was the invariable custom of Lord Viscount Sackville. The one that I noticed most particularly, was that sealed with a coat of arms, of which a fac-simile is already given by Mr. Woodfall, but no farther trace of such arms could be made out than what is already engraved. I asked him, candidly to inform me, whether he believed his father was acquainted with the name of his correspondent to which he replied, "that to a certainty, he was not, although his father, at times, suspected Lord George Sackville."

He admitted, after all, that it was only matter of surmise, as both himself and his father had no farther means of ascertaining who the writer was than any other private individuals. He assured me that he was ready and willing at all times to give any information that lay in his power, it being a curious question which he should feel much pleasure in seeing correctly ascertained. There was nothing disguised in his remarks, nor did he evince any hesitation to shew me the documents in his possession: he behaved in the most gentlemanly manner, and has my acknowledgments for his readiness to assist me.

The signature of the noble Lord, when Secre

tary of State (at which period he was Lord George Germain), I did not consider a sufficient specimen of his autography to affix to the publication, although it corresponds exactly with the description of Junius's hand-writing given by Charles Butler, Esq. of Lincoln's Inn :

"It is like that which well educated ladies wrote about the beginning of the century a large open hand, regular, approaching to the Italian."

I may just remark that this description varies considerably from the specimens given by Mr. Woodfall, some of which are particularly small. This peculiarity of difference of size is also strikingly observable in Lord Sackville's autography. I have lately seen some of his letters written in a small hand, others full twice the size.

Understanding that the family still possessed documents of great interest, and considering the political ferment of the day too long subsided to awaken any unpleasant feelings, I resolved to write candidly to the Duke of Dorset on the subject.

I stated to his Grace, that I was engaged in a literary enquiry, with which his illustrious father was intimately connected, and should feel particularly obliged by his permitting me to see the letters which were written by Lord George from Culloden and Minden; hoping that the

b

liberality which so conspicuously characterizes the nobility of the present day, in elucidation of any literary pursuit, would plead as an excuse for my freedom in thus addressing him. It is from such authentic sources alone, that we have an opportunity of gaining a correct account of interesting events, upon which history is too often silent, or of which it merely records the dates and a few leading facts. The world at large is, in general, guided by the statements of biographers or historians; and we know that particular circumstances are often misrepresented, which evidence of this nature would satisfactorily explain. This was the object I had in

view.

I subsequently waited on his Grace by appointment. He received me in the most polite manner, but told me it was out of his power to render me assistance, not having any of his father's letters in his possession. Upon the whole he considered, that as the affair in question was now at rest, it would be as well not to revive it, lest animadversions should be made that would tend to recall past events. His Grace more than once observed during the interview, that his father was an injured man; but he believed there never existed one who naturally possessed a better or more susceptible heart. I told him that this was my firm belief, and that the En

quiry in which I was engaged, would not, in the slightest degree, tend to alter that opinion.

It is a fair field for literary investigation, which has been entered by many other competitors, so that I cannot see any necessity for withholding from the public the result of my labours, which has been accomplished with so great a share of time, expense, and trouble; nevertheless, I should be extremely sorry to wound the feelings of any one, could I for a moment suppose, that the present disclosure would have that effect: on the contrary, I consider that it will operate in every way the reverse; and that the name of Lord Viscount Sackville, which at present lies buried in comparative obscurity, will be handed down to posterity with as much dignity and splendour as other branches of his noble family, who stand pre-eminent in the literary world, for their talents, learning, and sound judgment.

I afterwards succeeded in obtaining a letter written by Lord George to the Secretary at War, Lord Barrington, on his dismissal from his Majesty's service. It was written previously to his trial, and I have inserted it in the summary of his life, to shew his connexion with Lord Barrington, who waited on him on the occasion of his delivering up his commissions. Other motives of personal dislike occurred afterwards,

which were aggravated by the result of his trial. It also tends to shew that his disgust to the Government was not without cause, as his dismissal from all his emoluments took place before he had an opportunity of clearing his character from the false imputations which had been so maliciously raised against it. This original letter is. deposited in the War Office. I am indebted for a copy of it to the politeness of Lord Palmerston, and to Mr. Coleman, who interested himself on my behalf.

A few days after the date of this letter, Lord George wrote to his brother-in-law, Lord Viscount Bateman, complaining of so wanton an exercise of the prerogative, in dismissing him from the army before trial. He writes with all the feelings of an injured man, conscious of his own innocence; and concludes by hoping that so dangerous a precedent "may not excite alarm." The original letter (of which a truecopy is inserted in the summary of his Lordship's life) is in the possession of W. Little, Esq. Other familiar letters, previous to this unfortunate affair, will also be read with interest. They were written to his intimate friend Major Younge, during the Rebellion in Scotland, and throw some. light on his antipathy to that nation. In one of them, dated from Perth, he even goes so far as to avow that nothing but another rebellion would