could understand, they' received
little of the hospitality which had been so freely extended to
English visitors in Paris. It was the last and a sad scene in that
remarkable intercourse between the most cultivated people of England
and France which is one characteristic of the society of both
nations in the eighteenth century. This entente was destroyed by the
French Revolution. Selwyn, who had figured in this international
society more than most men of the age, lived to tell of its last
days in the letters which he wrote during the two final years of his
life.

(1789, Aug. 21?) Friday night, Richmond.--I did not come hither till
to-day, because I was resolved to stay to see the Duke(260) set out,
which he did this morning for Newmarket, from whence he goes with
his doctor to York. He said that he should not go to Castle Howard,
which I looked upon as certain as that the Princes will be there. It
would have been in vain to have held out to him the temptation of
seeing his goddaughter, and I know that, if I had suggested it, he
would have laughed at me, which would have made me angry, who think
Gertrude(261) an object worth going at least sixteen miles to see.

He was in very good spirits when he left London; and in
extraordinary good humour with me. But he would not have me depend,
he said, upon his going to Scotland, although he has, sent as many
servants in different equipages as if he intended to stay there a
twelvemonth. It was quite unnecessary to prepare me against any kind
of irresolution of his. After all, I hope that he will go to Castle
Howard. I believe it is just five and thirty years since we were
there together, and all I know is, that I did not think then that I
should ever see it so well furnished as I have since, and I will
maintain that Gertrude is not the least pretty meuble that is there.

I was so unsettled while I was in London that I did not even send to
make enquiries about your brother or Lady Southerland. I could not
have made their party if I had been sure of their being in town. Sir
R. and Lady Payne are at Lambeth. They propose coming to dine here
in a few days.

I dined with Crowle and the younger Mr. Fawkner yesterday at the
Duke's, and asked them many questions about poor Delme's affairs,
and concerning Lady Betty. I hear that Lady Julia has been much
affected with this accident. He had persuaded himself that he should
die, although either Dr. Warren saw no immediate danger, or th