ective in the pronunciation
of that, for want of practice. The Theodore's coming here obliges me
to have my nieces dine here, to see her. I'm afraid people will come
to see Mie Mie dance par billets.

CHAPTER 6. 1786-1791 THE CLOSING CENTURY

Political events--At Richmond--The Duke of Queensberry's villa
--Princess Amelia--The King's illness--The French Revolution
--Proposed visit to Castle Howard--In Gloucestershire--Affairs in
France--The Emigres--Society at Richmond--The French Revolution
--Richmond Theatre--French friends--Christening of Lady Caroline
Campbell's child--Selwyn's bad health--Death.

OF the series of political events which in rapid succession followed
the formation of the Rockingham Ministry, the death of its head, the
accession to the premiership of Lord Shelburne, the resignation of
Fox, and lastly the coalition between that statesman and his old
antagonist Lord North, Selwyn tells us nothing. His correspondence
with Carlisle came to an end for the time when his friend was
recalled from Ireland in 1782. Thus the last group of letters has
rather a social and a personal than a political interest.

For a number of years Selwyn had been in a constant state of alarm
lest he should be deprived of his sinecure office of Paymaster of
the Board of Works. Burke's scheme of economical reform had been a
constantly threatening cloud to him. The passing of this Bill,
which that statesman had so persistently but unavailingly pressed on
the House of Commons, had, however, been made one of the conditions
on which the Rockingham Ministry came into office. It became law in
1782,(228) and under its operations Selwyn was deprived of his
office. But in 1784, when Pitt was safely in power, Selwyn was
appointed to the equally unarduous and lucrative post of Surveyor
-General of Crown Lands. He was thus able to enjoy the last years of
his life in affluence, and enjoy them he did, in spite of failing
health. His letters are still gay, showing unabated interest in the
world around him. He retained that remarkable sympathy for the young
which had characterised his life. The children of Carlisle had grown
out of childhood. Lord Morpeth was going to Oxford,(229) Lady
Caroline was married. His adopted daughter, the Mie Mie of so many
of the preceding letters, had become a woman, and the care and
affection with which Selwyn had watched over her growth and
upbringing was now transferred to her well-being and pleasure