(Slotntil IttiuetBitg ffiihratB 
 
 Stijaca. New ^avk 
 
 BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME OF THE 
 
 SAGE ENDOWMENT FUND 
 
 THE GIFT OF 
 
 HENRY W. SAGE 
 
 1891 
 
Cornell University Library 
 DA 485.C96 
 
 Cumberland letters 
 
 3 1924 028 014 631 
 
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The original of this book is in 
 the Cornell University Library. 
 
 There are no known copyright restrictions in 
 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924028014631 
 
The Cumberland Letters 
 1771-17^4 
 
By th e same Author 
 
 THE 
 
 LINLEYS OF BATH 
 
 "By Clementina "Blacky 
 
 In One Volume, Demy 8vo Fully Illustrated in 
 Photogravure and Half-Tone Price 1 6s. net 
 
 OPINIONS OF THE PRESS 
 
 Athenaum, — "Neither a mawkish romance nor a dusty scrap- 
 heap, but a simple story, redolent of sweet domesticities ; a tale told 
 in homely phrase, yet verified in every detail with loving pains, and 
 bright on every page with the steady glow of sympathy." 
 
 Saturday Review. — *' Miss Black has made of their histories and 
 correspondence a very delightful book." 
 
 Spectator. — "All those who love Miss Austen and find delight in 
 the children of her brain should read *The Linleys.' " 
 
 Outlook. — " Miss Black has succeeded in v/riting a book which 
 is vastly amusing as well as a valuable contribution to the serious 
 history of the picturesque time with which it deals." 
 
 Pall Mall Gazette. — "Miss Black writes with abundance of 
 knowledge and sympathy. . , . Her publisher has very ably seconded 
 her efforts by perfect print, a comely cover, and admirable repro- 
 ductions of numerous interesting portraits by Gainsborough, 
 Lawrence, and Reynolds." 
 
 Telegraph. — " Altogether this is a volume to add to the library in 
 the certainty that it will have to be consulted afresh, whenever the 
 history and romance of Bath becomes the topic of the hour." 
 
 Daily 'Nezvs. — "We cannot be sufficiently grateful to the author." 
 
THE 
 
 CUMBERLAND 
 LETTERS 
 
 Being the Correspondence of RlCHP 
 
 Dennison Qjmberland ^ George 
 
 Cumberland between theYears 1771^ 
 1784, Edited by CLEMENTINA BLACK, 
 and now Printed for the First Time 
 
 ** Not that I knoiu of anything ive say to one 
 another which might not as ivell be published 
 at Charing Cross^ yet not perhaps at the moment 
 they are said,^"* 
 George Cumberland to Richard, August 1779. 
 
 London : Published by Martin 
 Secker at his Office N^ Five 
 John Street Adelphi mcmxii 
 
 
List of Illustrations 
 
 DRIFFIELD VICARAGE, GLOUCESTERSHIRE 
 
 From a Photograph Frontispiece 
 
 SIR JOHN BALCHEN 
 
 From the Painting by Kneller at Greenwich Facing page 
 
 Hospital ' 1 6 
 
 RICHARD DENNISON CUMBERLAND 
 
 From a Contemporary Shade " 48 
 
 GEORGE CUMBERLAND 
 
 From a Contemporary Shade 80 
 
 MRS. CUMBERLAND 
 
 From a Contemporary Shade 128 
 
 MR. THOMAS SMITH 
 
 From a Contemporary Shade 192 
 
 SUSAN BALCHEN 
 
 From a Contemporary Shade 208 
 
 GEORGE CUMBERLAND 
 
 From a Pen Drawing by (?) Collins 240 
 
 RICHARD CUMBERLAND THE DRAMATIST 
 
 From the Painting by Romney in the National 
 
 Portrait Gallery 252 
 
 Appendices 
 
 PATERNAL DESCENT OF RICHARD DENNISON ^ 
 
 GEORGE CUMBERLAND 33^ 
 
 MATERNAL DESCENT OF RICHARD DENNISON <5r» 
 
 GEORGE CUMBERLAND 33^ 
 
Preface 
 
 THIS volume owes its existence to Mr. R. S. 
 Garnett, who introduced me to the many- 
 hundreds of manuscript letters, " to, from, by 
 and about " the brothers Richard Dennison 
 and George Cumberland, from which it has been com- 
 piled, and which are now in the British Museum. 
 For further information I am indebted to the Rev. 
 W. H. Careless, Rector of Harnhill and Driffield, and 
 very particularly to Mr. R. D. Cumberland Jones, of 
 Ewen, great-grandson of the elder of the brothers, who 
 has kindly lent me not only most of the portraits here 
 reproduced, but also a book of family records collected 
 by his father and some other documents. Interesting 
 information about earlier members of their family has 
 been derived from the Dictionary of National Biography ^ 
 which sent me to look up in the Record Office Captain 
 John Balchen's delightful report to the Admiralty. 
 Many details about George Cumberland, which must 
 have been contained in the books of the Royal Exchange 
 Assurance Company, have disappeared for ever in the 
 fire of 1838 by which, together with the Royal Exchange, 
 the offices and earlier records of the company were 
 destroyed. 
 
 The history of the brothers is by no means completed 
 in these pages, and a further selection from their letters is 
 now in preparation. Richard Cumberland lived some forty 
 years beyond the date at which this volume closes, and 
 George for more than sixty. The marriages of both of 
 
8 Preface 
 
 them — to ladies who are mentioned in this book — occurred 
 later ; and, indeed, the deepest experiences of their lives 
 lay still ahead. Whether other readers will feel the same 
 pleasure as I have done in retracing the intimate lives 
 of this little group of English people, so like ourselves, 
 yet so different in external trifles, I cannot tell ; but I 
 hope that these two young men with their cares and 
 fears and hopes and dreams, their simple pleasures and 
 touching little absurdities, will win some degree of that 
 friendly liking which I am sure they deserved in the days 
 when they were writing these letters. 
 
The Cumberland Letters 
 
 IT is probably to George Cumberland that the 
 twentieth century owes the large collection of 
 private letters from the earlier portion of which, 
 covering the years between 1771 and 1784, the 
 present volume is mainly compiled. The correspondence 
 which circles round George and his elder brother, was 
 the work chiefly of people belonging to the upper middle 
 class of this country. The writers were ordinary men and 
 women mostly unknown, even by name, to our generation 
 and principally concerned, as we ourselves are to-day, 
 with their own feelings and affairs. Nothing, we may 
 be sure, was further from their thoughts than that the 
 words which ran hastily from their quills would be care- 
 fully preserved and bound up, a hundred years later, into 
 sixteen great volumes. It is, indeed, precisely this un- 
 consciousness which gives these letters their value. In 
 them we see pass before us the daily life of England as it 
 presented itself to two youths left fatherless, and in 
 somewhat straitened circumstances, just as they were 
 approaching manhood. For one, London and an office 
 formed the scene ; for the other, college and a rural 
 vicarage. Thus, between them, they show us the town 
 and the country. Public events appear : elections, the 
 American war, the Gordon riots, the loss of the Royal 
 George ; and private events : improvements of salary and 
 
 9 
 
lO 
 
 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 of position, changes of abode, family disagreements, 
 marriages and deaths of cousins, love affairs, disappoint- 
 ments, inheritances and lawsuits. Gradually the charac- 
 ters of the two brothers unfold themselves : Richard, 
 calm, sedate, somewhat cold and passive, but quietly 
 tenacious, fond of the country, but fond, too, of pleasant 
 company, happy in his Httle farm and among its domestic 
 animals, a little touchy with superiors and perhaps with 
 equals, but open, generous and considerate to the poor, 
 and beloved by young people ; George, impulsive, eager, 
 full of artistic appreciations, half-developed talents and 
 intellectual interests, energetic to excess and subject to 
 fits of melancholy, the warmest of friends yet a lover of 
 solitary rambles, always busy for others and coveting 
 leisure for his own pursuits, more keenly happy and more 
 deeply sad than his brother — the more interesting of 
 the two and the more faulty. In the background stands 
 the figure of their widowed mother, active, thrifty, 
 devoted to her sons, but the torment of their daily lives, 
 and on no friendly terms either with her sister (who, 
 to do her justice, appears thoroughly disagreeable) or 
 with her sisters-in-law. All the elderly ladies, indeed, 
 on both sides of the family seem to have been tiresome and 
 difficult persons. But for one circumstance, we might feel 
 disposed to attribute their defects to a lack of education, 
 which left them, as they advanced in age, without 
 necessary occupation or intelligent mental interests, 
 so that their energies sought an outlet in fretfulness 
 and interference. But the same qualities are equally 
 perceptible in their male contemporaries ; Mr. Smith, 
 who was a surgeon of St. Thomas's Hospital ; Mr. 
 Cross, who was a Member of ParHament ; Mr. Tapp, 
 who was a merchant of some kind, were all fully as un- 
 reasonable and as prickly as Mrs. Cumberland, under 
 
The Cumberland Letters r i 
 
 whose rule no servant " above the degree of an Ideot " 
 would consent to remain, or Miss Sarah Cumberland, 
 who, when troubled by the processes o£ a lawsuit, took to 
 her bed and refused food. It seems clear that the way 
 of juniors was hard in the eighteenth century and the 
 yoke of seniors heavy. Perhaps in no other class of the 
 community has the progress of civilisation and amenity 
 been so marked as among parents and guardians. 
 
 Our young men had a wide circle of relatives and 
 connections, mostly of a respectable and creditable 
 character, and the allusions to them are so frequent 
 that some account of the Cumberland and Balchen 
 families, to the latter of which their mother belonged, 
 may save time and confusion. Moreover, both families (like 
 all others, indeed, could we but trace them fully) touch 
 the history of this nation at various interesting points. 
 
 The earliest Cumberland of whom I have found any 
 record was already settled in London, although his 
 patronymic must be taken to indicate a northern origin. 
 He was named George, and is described as a " money 
 scrivener " of Fleet Street. As the younger of his sons 
 was born in 1631, we may, perhaps, carry back the date 
 of his own birth to the last year or years of Queen 
 Elizabeth. He must, in any case, have been a contem- 
 porary of Shakespeare and of Milton, and may, quite 
 probably, have been acquainted with the latter's father, 
 who was, like himself, a London scrivener. That his 
 second son, Richard, was an early friend of Samuel 
 Pepys, we know from Samuel himself, and certain entries 
 in the Diary suggest that he may have been a suitor of 
 Pepys's sister " Pall." Her brother remarks that he would 
 rather have given ^£100 with her to Cumberland than to 
 any one else who would settle four times as much upon 
 her. Their father, however, thinking otherwise, bestowed 
 
12 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 her upon one Jackson, and Pepys complained that he 
 could find " no pleasure nor content in him as i£ he had 
 been a man of reading and parts like Cumberland " ; 
 indeed, as a matter o£ fact, the lady would have risen 
 to a higher place if the opinion of her brother had been 
 followed. 
 
 Richard Cumberland continued for several years to 
 occupy country livings and to be an excellent clergyman, 
 reading and studying much. By and by he wrote a 
 remarkable treatise : De Legibus Natures which seems 
 to have been considerably in advance of the current 
 thought of his day, and is described in the Dictionary 
 of National Biography as basing morality upon " the 
 public good " and virtue upon " universal benevolence." 
 Unexpectedly, and without application on his part, he 
 was made Bishop of Peterborough, and is said to have 
 learned the fact of his appointment from a newspaper 
 in a coffee-house. He would appear to have been a quiet, 
 unostentatious man of remarkable intelligence and of 
 an admirable, unselfish character ; one of his customs 
 was to give away every year to the poor the surplus of 
 his income, reserving only £2^ for the possible expenses 
 of his funeral. Like some of his relatives, he lived to 
 a ripe age, and at eighty-three was energetic enough to 
 learn Coptic. His portrait shows a fine dignified counte- 
 nance, the forehead high, the nose long and aquiline, 
 the eyes dark. 
 
 Of the bishop's two sons, the elder died unmarried, 
 and the younger, Richard, became Archdeacon of 
 Northampton. He married Elizabeth Denison, or Denni- 
 son. The name is always spelt by Richard Dennison 
 Cumberland (who will appear frequently in the following 
 pages) with the double letter, but the other form has 
 prevailed and seems to be now invariably adopted. 
 
The Cumberland Letters 13 
 
 The archdeacon, again, had two sons, of whom only 
 the younger, Dennison, left offspring. He had also a 
 daughter, who married Waring Ashby, High Sheriff, 
 as his father had been before him, of Leicestershire, 
 and left one son, George Ashby, who appears in these 
 letters. 
 
 Dennison Cumberland, younger son of the archdeacon, 
 became Bishop of Clonfert and afterwards of Kilmore, 
 in Ireland. Like his grandfather, he was a man of 
 amiable character and was much beloved in his dioceses. 
 He married Joanna, daughter of the famous Richard 
 Bentley, with whom all the Cambridge undergraduates of 
 her day are declared to have been in love, and in whose 
 honour John Byrom wrote those charming and whimsical 
 verses, beginning : 
 
 My time, O ye Muses, was happily spent, 
 
 which may be found in the eighth volume of the 
 Sfectator, 
 
 The son of this marriage was Richard Cumberland, 
 the dramatist, a man of great and varied abilities, with 
 which, unfortunately, was somehow blended a streak of 
 the ridiculous. His many plays, applauded and pro- 
 fitable in his own day, have not survived to ours, nor can 
 it honestly be said that they deserve to do so, yet several 
 of them have considerable merit, and his heroines are 
 apt to be real and often superior women. Unluckily 
 for him, he contrived to incur the dislike or mockery of 
 contemporaries whose work has lasted better than his 
 own, and his memory is enshrined in the rather bitter 
 portrait of Fanny Burney's Diary and in the witty 
 caricature of Sheridan's Sir Fretful Plagiary. It 
 should be remembered to his credit, however, that he 
 was among the first to recognise and encourage the talent 
 of Romney, who. painted him (at least three times), 
 
14 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 and whose portrait of the eldest Miss Cumberland, in 
 a hat and with a muff, is one of the simplest and most 
 charming of his works. Cumberland married his mother's 
 niece, Miss Elizabeth Ridge, so that his children were 
 doubly the grandchildren of Bentley, but do not appear 
 to have exhibited any such degree of talent, energy or 
 originality as a modern Mendelian might expect from 
 at least some of the seven. 
 
 The Bishop of Peterborough, it may be recollected, 
 was not the elder, but the younger, son of his scrivener 
 father. The elder brother, William, was a drysalter, 
 and is noted in the pedigree as having been the parent 
 of fourteen sons and two daughters. One son only, 
 John, appears in that record ; but it may fairly be' sur- 
 mised that from some one of the remaining dozen was 
 descended that John Cumberland who was the publisher 
 of Cumberland'^ s British Theatre and of whom repre- 
 sentatives are still living. 
 
 A certain William Cumberland, born in 1760, of whom 
 a dull and pious little biography is to be found in the 
 British Museum, may easily be another great-grandson. 
 His father was a farmer at Bedford. 
 
 John Cumberland, son of the drysalter, invented a 
 way of bending ship-timbers by steam, a matter of 
 national importance in days when England depended 
 for her defence upon her " wooden walls " ; and his 
 grandsons were justly proud of him as a man who had 
 done valuable service to his country. Whether he made 
 any money by his invention (which I am informed is still 
 employed in the building of wooden boats) I cannot tell. 
 He married a wife called Hills, was the father of two 
 sons and two daughters, and was buried, the pedigree 
 informs us, at Islington. 
 
 His elder son, John, was captain of the ship Astorley 
 
The Cumberland Letters 15 
 
 which was blown up at sea, and he perished with her, 
 at the age of forty, and, presumably, unmarried. 
 
 The younger son, George, married, in 1747, Elizabeth 
 Balchen, and became the father of the brothers Richard 
 Dennison and George. 
 
 John's daughter, Sarah, died, unmarried, an elderly 
 woman, in the eighties of the century. About his 
 daughter Martha the statements of the pedigree are 
 puzzling ; she is set down as having married a Mr, 
 Weaver and as being the mother of one daughter, 
 Mary, married to " Gouch of Boston." Now, the lady 
 who married John Gooch, of Boston, U.S.A., was, 
 unquestionably. Miss Sally Weaver. There was, however, 
 a Mrs. Marriott, who was a relative or connection of 
 Richard and George, and was in America with the 
 Gooches ; she may have been Mrs. Gooch's sister, and 
 originally Mary Weaver. 
 
 It thus appears that Richard Dennison and George 
 were in the same degree of descent — the fourth — as 
 their dramatist cousin, Richard, from their common 
 ancestor the scrivener. The dramatist, however, was 
 twenty years the senior of his namesake, although of the 
 younger branch, and was in a much more prosperous 
 position. 
 
 It may, perhaps, be noted here that our young men 
 — one of whom lived to be ninety-four — were Londoners, 
 certainly of the fourth, and possibly of the fifth, genera- 
 tion. 
 
 On their mother's side also they were of creditable 
 family. The great names among the Balchens were those 
 of Admiral Sir John Balchen and of a certain Richard 
 Cradoc, described as having been a consul in Persia under 
 Charles II, and as having returned to London in the 
 year of the Great Fire, that is, in 1666. 
 
i6 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 A sister or daughter of this Cradoc appears to have 
 married a Balchen, " a relative of Sir John Balchen." 
 Who this was is not at all certain, but there is a brother 
 of Sir John's, just a year his junior, whose baptism, by 
 the name of WiUiam, is registered at Godalming in 1770, 
 a date that might easily be the birth year of a son-in-law 
 of the ex-consul, but hardly of a brother-in-law. The 
 fact that a son of the marriage was named William fits 
 the theory that the husband was William of Godalming. 
 
 Sir John Balchen (baptised at Godalming in February, 
 1669, son of John and Ann Bait chin) must have been a 
 man of remarkable energy and courage. Entering the 
 Navy at fourteen or fifteen he obtained promotion rather 
 slowly, but is known to have been in command, at different 
 times, of at least thirteen ships, one of which was a fire- 
 ship at the siege of Vigo, whence he brought home a 
 prize. Twice he was taken by the French, and was there- 
 fore court-martialled, but the enquiry showed, on each 
 occasion, that he and his officers had held out longiit 
 against great odds, and in the second conflict that their 
 ship had been shot almost to pieces before they were 
 overpowered. In the year 1716, on his return in the 
 Diamond, from an expedition to suppress piracy in the 
 West Indies, he had a difference with a Customs official, 
 who complained to his superiors. Correspondence ensued, 
 and Balchen's own account of the affair is so graphic 
 and characteristic that I have not been able to refrain 
 from giving it entire in an appendix. In the spring of 
 1744, when he had been sixty years in the Navy and had 
 just become an Admiral of the White, he was knighted, 
 appointed Governor of Greenwich Hospital, and a pen- 
 sion of ;^6oo per annum settled upon him for life. The 
 position was one of honourable retirement, in which most 
 men of seventy-five might have been glad to repose. 
 
'J 
 
 cJ^^^^^-kifZ^iX t^^t..^^5i''ii?Z/ t>^ZZ^^i^4^^2/ 
 
The Cumberland Letters 17 
 
 Within three months, however, Sir John had returned 
 to active service, and in July of that year went out in 
 the Victory to relieve a fleet of store-ships blockaded in 
 the Tagus. His vessel was full of volunteers and cadets 
 of good family, and is variously said to have contained 
 1 100 or 1200 persons. The store-ships were duly set 
 free, and afterwards convoyed safely through the Straits 
 of Gibraltar, whence the relieving squadron started 
 homeward. In the chops of the Channel, on October 
 the 3rd, it was caught by a violent storm, and the ships 
 were scattered. All of them except one got in, more 
 or less damaged, to Plymouth or Spithead, but the 
 Victory was never seen after the morning of the 4th. 
 The people of Alderney thought they heard her guns 
 on the night of the 4th, and several days later her main- 
 top, presumably with the admiral's flag, was washed 
 ashore on the coast of Guernsey. 
 
 He left a widow, Susan, daughter of Colonel Aprice ; 
 a son, George, who died in command of the Pembroke 
 in the West Indies a year later, at the age of twenty- 
 eight, and who is described by his cousin George Cum- 
 berland as "a brave and virtuous youth " ; and a 
 daughter, whose Christian name and subsequent history 
 I have not been able to discover, 
 
 A statement appended to Sir John Balchen's portrait 
 at Greenwich declares him to have been " born of very 
 obscure Parentage " ; but the fact appears to me doubt- 
 ful. His letter to the Admiralty is that of a man who had 
 enjoyed a school education, and is superior both in style 
 and in handwriting to those of many well-born men of 
 his day. Any reader who compares it, as it appears in 
 the appendix, with the two letters of Thomas Cotton, 
 on pp. 21-23, will see how extremely it differs from the 
 compositions of a man who was really uneducated. He 
 
 B 
 
1 8 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 married a woman of good family ; and so did his relative, 
 the husband of Miss Cradoc ; moreover, parents of 
 rank chose the ship in which to send their sons to sea. 
 Even the circumstance that the baptisms of sons born 
 to John and Ann " Baltchin," of Godalming, are regis- 
 tered, is a shght indication that the parents were not 
 among the poorest of the congregation. 
 
 There is no indication of any calling followed by the 
 Balchen who married Miss Cradoc. It is conceivable 
 that he lived upon her fortune. 
 
 Two sons of theirs dwelt in the Minories, where one, 
 William, was an apothecary and druggist, and Henry, 
 the other, was a " hozier," who is said to have made 
 a fortune by trade early in life ; he married twice and 
 had one son, John, who left one daughter " with a good 
 fortune." 
 
 William Balchen was the father of two sons and four 
 daughters. 
 
 The elder son, WiUiam, was " an Indian captain," and 
 must have been dead by the year 1772. He left a widow 
 (whose maiden name was perhaps Tapp) and five chil- 
 dren, Sarah, Eliza, Susan, Mary and John. 
 
 The younger son, James, died at the age of twenty- 
 four, " of a decline." A curious letter from him to 
 George Cumberland, who became his brother-in-law, 
 occupies the first place in the correspondence and is 
 given in an appendix. 
 
 The daughters of the apothecary were Mary, who 
 married John Man (the name appears consistently in this 
 form) and had two sons, named John and Henry, and two 
 daughters, one of whom was named Fanny ; Susan, whose 
 husband was a Mr. Thompson, and who had one son ; 
 Ann, who did not marry ; and Elizabeth, who married 
 George Cumberland and was the mother of Richard 
 
The Cumberland Letters 19 
 
 Dennison and George Cumberland. A sister, Martha, 
 older than these two, and a brother, John, younger than 
 they, died young, so that Richard and George grew up 
 with only each other's companionship. Their mother, 
 it appears, lived, before her marriage, with a Mrs. 
 Boulter, who appears from the pedigree to have been 
 another daughter of Cradoc, the Persian consul, and is 
 described as " a lady of large fortune, who resided in 
 St. Mary Axe, London, was a widow and sister to Lady 
 Blount of Stratford, both their husbands had been 
 directors in the South Sea Company, and the chief of 
 their property devolved to Rich"* Cross, Esq'^, their 
 nearest relation, a man of large fortune who lived in 
 Grovenor S' London, & Richmond Hill and always 
 considered my mother as a distant relation." " My 
 mother " is Mrs. Cumberland, born Elizabeth Balchen. 
 
 Richard Dennison Cumberland was born on December 
 the loth, 1752, and George Cumberland on December 
 the 3rd, 1754. The baptisms of both are registered at 
 St. Matthew's, Bethnal Green. 
 
 The burial of their father is registered at St. Dunstan's, 
 Stepney, on November the 21st, 177 1 ; and a small-tithe 
 book preserved at the same church shows that the house 
 belonging to the family, in which he almost certainly 
 died, was situated on the south side of Mile End Road, 
 and about the middle of that thoroughfare, which at 
 that time consisted of far fewer houses and was almost 
 countrified. 
 
 A week after the funeral Richard Cumberland, the 
 dramatist, wrote to the widow the following letter : 
 
 Dear Madam, 
 
 I read with much concern an Account of my 
 poor Relations death ; I have waited some time, 
 thinking it not improbable that one of the young men 
 
20 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 might have wrote, or came, to me, but I conclude the 
 melancholy news is true, and I sincerely condole with you 
 on the Occasion. If any thing in my power can be done 
 to alleviate your sorrow I shall gladly contribute my best 
 assistance : your eldest son is designed for Orders, & 
 I understand has a Living under promise to him ; shoud 
 that hope fail, & my father live, I dare say he woud 
 prefer him in Ireland. Pray desire him to dine with me, 
 as soon as conven', & let me hear how you all are. 
 I am. Dear Mad'", 
 
 Y"" sincere friend 
 
 and Relation, 
 
 RiCH^ Cumberland. 
 Queen Ann Street, 
 
 Nov, 2f^, 
 
 To M" Cumberland 
 
 at Mile End near London. 
 
 Next appears a letter which shows a good many correc- 
 tions and was doubtless fair copied by its writer, George 
 Cumberland. It seems to be dated in the year 1770, 
 but this date must be a slip, such as is often made in the 
 early days of a new year. It was, almost certainly, 
 written in January, 1772, since it refers to his father's 
 death, which took place in the autumn of 1771. 
 
 Mrs. Marriot. Jan. 7, 1770 (72). 
 
 Madam, 
 
 It is impossible to express the uneasyness and 
 supsense my self M"^^ Cumberland and all your Friends 
 in England have sufferd on account of not hearing 
 from you or M"^ Gooch and your present situation 
 has not a Httle encreased our anxiety for your safety : 
 the last time I heard from Boston was in Feby and 
 from M' Goochs never mentioning your name and 
 always writing for his wife we have been induced to 
 suspect that a misunderst^ subsists between you the 
 bare surmise of which has led us to intreat a line from you 
 
The Cumberland Letters 
 
 21 
 
 to satisfy our doubts — in which we hope we are mistaken 
 as we can hardly think it possible she should give you 
 intentionally any offence M" Sarah Cumberland and my 
 mother intreat if it is possible we may have a Line 
 from your self : 
 
 And the favor will confer obhgation on your Hunb'** 
 Serv., 
 
 G. Cumberland. 
 RS. 
 
 direct to me. 
 You have heard of the Death of my Father and 
 M"^ Weaver. 
 
 Mrs. Gooch had been Miss Sally Weaver, and was 
 probably a niece of George's father. Mrs. Marriot 
 may have been a sister of hers. George would hardly 
 have been writing in this manner to her if she were merely 
 a relative of Mr. Gooch's. The lady mentioned under 
 the name of " Mrs. Cumberland," " Mrs. Sarah Cumber- 
 land," was Sarah Cumberland, the writer's unmarried aunt. 
 
 As letters from private soldiers in the eighteenth cen- 
 tury are not very plentiful, the two which were written 
 from India by a young man called Thomas Cotton, 
 who seems to have been a remote connection of the 
 Balchens, may be of some interest. Their writing is 
 very neat, but their composition that of an uneducated 
 person. The elder George Cumberland, to whom they 
 were addressed, probably did not receive either of them, 
 and was certainly dead before the arrival of the second. 
 
 Ellore Garrison Circars (or Circass), 
 
 Jan, 22*^, 1771* 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 Your Letter dated June 10*^ 1770? I did not 
 receive Till June 21'*' 1771 you mention your sending it 
 on board the dolpin Frigate of Warr, but it came to me 
 by the Queen East Indiaman, For the future should 
 
22 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 be much oblidg'd to you to put them in at the India 
 House, & they come to me much safter, than by Private 
 Hands, was I settled at the Presedency, it would do very 
 well to send them that way but am Eight Hundred miles 
 from it, when they are Thrown about in the offices, 
 & seldom come to hand. I hope you to excuse the 
 Liberty I take in desiring you to put them in the India 
 House, as it will be the means of my allways receiving 
 them safe & directly as there Landed. The Trouble 
 you Take for my Dear mother, sister & self lays me 
 under the greatest obligations to you, which I hope to 
 God I never shall be Unmindful, at a Present all I have 
 in my Power is to acknowledge them, which I hope you 
 think sincere as I assure you they are. M*" Long & 
 M' Cross our kind Benefactors all we can do is to offer 
 up our Prayers for there Healths & Happynesses, as it will 
 be out of our Powers ever to return those numberless 
 Obligations we lay under To them. It gives me great 
 Pleasure to hear M'^ Cross as concented To their going 
 to France, for they'l not only live cheaper, but it will 
 be the means of my Sister inproving of her Education, 
 I enjoy my health hear, to the full as weU as in England, 
 India is made Twenty Times worse in England than it 
 realy is, the heat is very Great, To be sure, but refrain 
 from Excess of Drinking, & youl weather it very well, 
 its drinking that kills Two thirds of our Gentlemen here, 
 not the Climate, we have been at Peace ever since I 
 been here, only a few skyrmishes, with th Poligars, & 
 Cottires &: they do not Trouble us much, we expect, 
 To hear of a war, by every ship that comes in. Let it 
 come as soon as it will we are prepaird for it here in 
 this Part of the World, and only wate for another 
 [order] to March to Manila, Pray my best Respects 
 To Mrs. Cumberland & comp*' To your sons. 
 And believe me. 
 
 Your much oblidged, 
 humble Serv', 
 
 To M' Cumberland. Thomas Cotton. 
 
 I forgott To mention to you that I gott some 
 
The Cumberland Letters 23 
 
 friends at Madrass who has gott me removed into a 
 BattUon of Seapoys which is Ten Pagodoes a month 
 addition to my Pay, which makes it about Thirteen 
 Pounds Sterling a month, this I send down to Madrass 
 to go by the duke of Porland, if not too late, if it is am 
 not certain what ship it will go by, shall Take the Liberty 
 of sending you another Packett in a few weeks. 
 
 Ellore, ^e'p, 28, 1771. 
 D^ S% 
 
 I take the Liberty of Troubling you with 
 another Packett, which comes to you by the Stag frigate 
 S' John Lindsy Commander. I still preserve my health 
 very well. I have no news here to send you only that we 
 have sent an army of Thirty Thousand men under the 
 Command of General Smith against The King of Tan- 
 jore, they marched the i^' of this month To lay siege 
 to his fort, the Particulars will acquaint you with in 
 my next, I have never received a line from M" Red- 
 man or my Uncle Edward Purcell it gives me great 
 concern, he should refuse to write to me as I am concious 
 I never disoblidged him pray my best comp*^ To 
 M" Cumberland & family, 
 
 And am. 
 
 Your oblidged hum^^ Serv^ 
 
 In the early part of 1772 Richard Dennison Cumber- 
 land went to Leeds, where I think he must have acted 
 temporarily as a master in a school. He was then just 
 nineteen and very susceptible — as, indeed, he long 
 remained — to the attraction of pretty young ladies. 
 
 D" Brother, 
 
 I have at length got safely to my Journeys end, 
 in good Health & Spirits, & am now setting down 
 to a Dish of Tea at the Old Kings Arms in Leeds, 
 where I propose to clean myself a little before I visit 
 M"^ Brooks. 
 
 I promised when we parted to write You a circum- 
 
24 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 stantial account of my Journey, but can only just give 
 you the particulars of it which I am sure You will excuse, 
 when you find how little time I have had on the road. 
 
 We did not stop the first night except to change 
 Horses at 7 o clock, & immediately set out in another 
 Coach for Northampton ; there we dined & I had just 
 time to write those few hnes to my Mother before Dinner, 
 which I suppose you have received ; in less than an Hour 
 we proceeded to Leicester arrived there, at ten o'clock, 
 sup** at the three Cranes, out again the next morning 
 by two, Breakfasted at Nottingham & reached Mans- 
 field before two in the afternoon, dined at the Crown 
 & that night got to Sheffield, about ten o clock, we lay 
 there, & the next morning after Breakfast set out in 
 another Coach for Barnsley, dined & arrived here 
 about five o'clock : You see by this, I had no time for 
 writing on the road, not being able to get a wink of 
 sleep in the Coach, I was glad to go to Bed as soon as 
 supper was done, upon the whole, I have had an agre- 
 able Journey enough as a variety of Scenes, all entirely 
 new to me, joind to exceeding fine Weather, almost the 
 whole Way, have made ample amends for the fatigue 
 I must necessarily have undergone, pray make my best 
 respects to M'' Smith & M' Tapp & acquaint them, 
 when I have seen M'' Brooks & M" Denison, I will do 
 myself the Pleasure to write, please give my Duty 
 to my Dear Mother, tell her the Yorkshire air agrees 
 extremly well with me, & that I never was better in 
 Health than at present, hope this will find you & all our 
 friends well to whom I beg you will make my kind Love 
 
 and Comp^*. t 
 
 ^ 1 am, 
 
 D'^ George your affectionate 
 
 & loving Brother, 
 
 R. D. Cumberland. 
 
 Leeds, Six o clock, Wednesday night. 
 
 To M** Cumberland, 
 
 Royal Exchange 
 
 Assurance Office, 
 
 London. 
 
The Cumberland Letters 25 
 
 Leeds, 2V^ 7^^., i??^- 
 
 D"* Brother, 
 
 I wrote to you on my arrival here last Wednes- 
 day, which I suppose you have rece"^, since which time 
 I have scarce had a moment's Leisure, except to write 
 a few Lines to M' Tapp & M' Smith, you will now 
 expect a long detail of the many curiosities I have seen 
 in Leeds, but will be much disappointed when I assure 
 you, I have not yet met with anything which may be 
 called curious ; the Cloth Hall is the most spatious Build- 
 ing I ever saw, but has nothing else to recommend except 
 its plainest, it consists of five Streets, each about four 
 Hundred feet long, near it stands the Infirmary ; the 
 most elegant Building in Leeds, it is but just finished. 
 There are a great many good Houses in & about Leeds 
 belonging to the principal Merchants who are many of 
 them said to be immensely rich ; the Town is situated 
 in a valley surrounded on every side by Hills which form 
 the most pleasing Prospect you can possibly imagine, 
 on these Hills are several very pretty villages, some of 
 which I have been to see. we have had a great fall of 
 snow here attended with the severest Frost I ever felt. 
 
 It is now time I gave you some account of my 
 situation here. I board with a M"^^ Greenwell a good 
 motherly kind of a Woman ; the family consists of Her 
 Daughter an agreable Young Lady about one & twenty 
 & a M'' Lupton, Clerk to a Merchant of this Place, 
 with these I pass my Time very agreably, of an evening 
 we generally divert ourselves with a Game at cards, 
 except when I am engaged at M' Brooks. I went last 
 Saturday Night to the Assembly, & was lucky enough 
 to get a partner, there were 20 couple danced & 4 Card 
 Tables, about Ten o clock we all set down to Tea & 
 Coffee & afterwards danced till twelve, when we 
 were oblidg*^ to leave off. the next day I spent with 
 M' Brooks, who entertained me very genteelly, he is blest, 
 like most others of his Proffesion which no less than 
 8 Bairns, as they call them Here, 3 Sons & 5 Daughters 
 the eldest is married to a Clergyman in this Town, the 
 
26 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 second is one of those employ'd by M'' Wright in work- 
 ing the Queens Bed, she is the lovliest & at the same 
 time, the most ingenious Girl I ever met with, as her 
 Health will not permit Her to stay in Town in the Winter, 
 she is during that Season at Home by which means I 
 have frequently the Pleasure of seeing her perform that 
 most curious piece of Needle Work, the Third is like- 
 wise very handsome, she is I hear, addressed by a young 
 Officer who is quarterd here. I shall not trouble you with 
 an account of the rest, suffice it to say, this is one of the 
 most agreable Familys I was ever acquainted with. I 
 went yesterday morning, for the first time to school, 
 where I soon got acquainted with the Head Boys, among 
 whom I was placed, there are in all about 60 Boys & 
 it is recon'd the best School in Town. I am obliged to 
 attend three Times a Day during this Week so that I 
 have scarce any time to spare, pray give my Duty to 
 my Dear Mother, tell Her, the cold Northern air agrees 
 extremely well with me, & that I never enjoy'd my 
 Health better than at present, with Compliments to all 
 enquiring Friends, I remain, D'^ Brother, 
 
 Your affectionate and loving Brother, 
 
 RicH° Den. Cumberland. 
 To M' Cumberland, 
 
 Royal Exchange 
 
 Assurance Office, 
 London. 
 
 By February the i6th Richard had gone to Cambridge, 
 and his cousin, the dramatist, was writing to him the 
 following friendly letter ; the Mr. Ashby mentioned in 
 it was the writer's first cousin, being the son of his 
 father's sister. 
 
 16 Teh, Q.A. Street. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I hope you find yourself plac'd to your entire 
 satisfaction and that ye short experience you have had 
 of a College Life & studies gives you no prospect, but 
 
The Cumberland Letters 27 
 
 what is flattering & cheerful!. I find my friend & 
 relation M' Ashby has help'd to enliven your situation 
 by his acquaintance, & I dare say you are very happy 
 to cultivate it in ye manner most agreable to him. Your 
 Mother & George dined at my house yesterday sen- 
 night & were both well & in spirits ; much depends 
 upon your success in Life for ye comfort and support 
 of your good Mother in ye latter end of hers, and I hope 
 & beleive that you will lose no effort, which assiduity, 
 frugality & discretion can make, to attain ye means of 
 being ye friend of your family. If there is any thing 
 wanting, necessary to ye comforts of your Life ; which 
 your present establishment cannot readily accompHsh, 
 I insist upon your letting me know — or if your Finances 
 fall short make me acquainted with it, and you shall on 
 every laudable occasion find me. 
 
 Dear Cousin, y" most faithfuU 
 
 friend & Serv', 
 
 Rich'' Cumberland. 
 To 
 
 M^ Richard Cumberland, 
 of Magdalen College. 
 
 The first letter from college of the young freshman 
 bears no date ; the second, probably on account of the 
 day's rairity, is headed with great exactitude on the last 
 day of a leap-year February. It may be noticed that 
 they are addressed, like those from Yorkshire, to the office 
 of the Royal Exchange Assurance Company, where 
 George was employed — an address which may possibly 
 have been chosen so as to ensure that the first reading 
 should pass under George's eye only. Nearly all the books 
 and records of the company having unfortunately perished 
 at the time of the burning of the Royal Exchange 
 in 1837, ^^ ^s impossible to trace the various steps of his 
 progress during the years of his service, which must have 
 begun when he was about fourteen. 
 
28 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 Dear George, 
 
 I receivd your kind epistle (the date I coud not 
 find) on Sunday night last, wherein you, very modestly, 
 desire me to give you an exact Description of the College, 
 the Town, etc ; but must beg leave to defer it to another 
 oportunity, not having Time at Present to satisfy your 
 unbounded curiosity. 
 
 I am very glad to hear M' Cotton is so happily 
 situated ; & if He goes on at the rate you mention, 
 shall very soon expect to see Him a Nabob. You say 
 M'^ Cooper designs to make me a Present of something. 
 Whatever it is. You may depend upon it, I shall have no 
 objection. I am much oblig'd to you for your Friendly 
 Hint about writing, but there must have been some 
 mistake in the affair as I wrote to M' Tapp the day 
 after I had receiv'd his Letter acquainting Him I had 
 taken a Place in the York Fly for the Thursday following, 
 however I had wrote to M*" Tapp before I receiv'd 
 yours. I also have wrote to my Mother for a Carpet & 
 some other Things, which I want, & if you have not 
 sent me the Books already, pray send them with the 
 Carpet, I have enclosed a List, as you desired, of such 
 as will be worth sending, am very glad You was so well 
 entertaind with M'^ Cumberlands new Play, which I 
 bought the other Day & was not a little pleased with 
 it, M' Cumberland has been so kind as to recommend 
 me to a M'* Ashby who is on a visit to His mother Law 
 M" Sparks & I find He is related, to our Family 
 being first Cousin to M' Cumberland. M' Ashby 
 came Himself to my Rooms, & wanted me to dine 
 with Him last Thursday, there were half a dozen 
 Gownsmen besides myself & He gave us a very elegant 
 Dinner ; & I yesterday receivd a Card from M" Ashby 
 inviting Me to drink tea with Her that afternoon, 
 I am extremely happy in this new acquaintance ; as it 
 is a very desireable thing to have a Friend in the town. 
 
 I am very sorry to hear, of Miss Pettys Death, she 
 was a most promissing Girl, & I think had she lived 
 
The Cumberland Letters 29 
 
 woud have been as handsome as Her Mother, I feel no 
 emotions of J07 or grief at the news of the Princess's 
 Death, but am told it will cause a general mourning 
 throughout the Kingdom. — I drank a Glass of wine yester- 
 day with M' WiUiam at Trinity & expect Him to 
 sup with me to morrow night I like his company is well 
 I am only sorry I must lose it so soon, as He is preparing 
 to leave College. I have no time to add any more, as 
 the Porter is waiting to carry this to the Postoffice. 
 pray make my proper respects to all Friends & am 
 
 D"^ George your 
 
 affectionate Brother, 
 
 R. D. Cumberland. 
 
 P.S. burn this as soon 
 
 as you have read it. 
 the Books are 
 
 Ains worth Diet: 
 
 Sully 
 
 Demosth: 
 
 Sallust 
 
 Lexicon 
 
 Horace 
 
 Homer 
 
 these aree all I shall want at Present. 
 
 The friendship thus begun with Mr. Ashby continued 
 for several years, and Richard paid him at least one visit 
 in the country. 
 
 29'^ Feb, Sat, aft. Coll. Mag. 
 Dear George, 
 
 Your very laconic epistle I this moment re- 
 ceivd, dated 28'^ Feb. it is now almost 4 o clock but 
 having an hour to spare, I have set down to answer it. 
 You desire to know wether I can keep Jesse here because, 
 you say you cannot keep Her in the Lodgings & if I 
 dont send for Her, must give Her away, you know 
 I have a great value for the Dog & woud not part 
 with it on any account ; therefore, if it is so very incon- 
 
30 The Cumberland JLetters 
 
 venient to keep Her in Town, pray send Her to me 
 directly ; otherwise, as this Term ends in about a Month, 
 & I shall then come to Town ; I think it will be better 
 to stay till then. 
 
 I have found that the large Box came by Burlys 
 Waggon so shall send it some Day next week & like- 
 wise your Shirt which is of no use to me being too little ; 
 but if I have any more Linnen in Town, shoud be glad 
 if you woud send it with the next Parcel, as it is very 
 necessary here to have a good Stock. 
 
 So much for Business — ^you expect, by this Time 
 I suppose that I shoud give you some account of a 
 college Life. I will begin with a description of the 
 College which is one of the least, if not the worst, in 
 this University the Building consists of two Courts, 
 the first almost forms a square on one side of which, is 
 the Masters Lodge & Chappie which is an exceeding 
 neat one ; on another the Hall (which is the same as 
 most of the Companys Halls in the City tho not quite 
 so large) & the Kitchens, & the two remaining sides 
 are divided into appartments for the under Graduates 
 one of which is occupied by your Humble Servant, 
 M" Balchen has you say given you a description of it, 
 therefore have no occasion to repeat it. The Second 
 Court is behind the Hall & has only one side Built 
 upon, which is that facing the Hall ; in this Building 
 is the Library, & a great many Keeping Rooms, which 
 being the best in College are taken up by the Fellows, 
 & Fellow Commoners, except the Garrets in which 
 several Pensioners reside. Our Society is at present 
 composd of a Master 5 resident Fellows 2 Fellow 
 Commoners, 11 Pensioners & i Sizer. the College 
 Servants are 6 Bedmakers a Cook a Butler a Barber & a 
 Porter. 
 
 I will now endeavor to give you an Idea of our way 
 of living in this Place, & the regulations here practised, 
 to which end I shall acquaint you in what manner a 
 Day is usually spent & then (as some author says) ab 
 uno discas omnes. 
 
The Cumberland Letters 31 
 
 About 7 o clock in the morning the Bedmaker comes 
 in lights the Fires, puts on the Kettle, & sets the room 
 to rights ; at half past 7 the Bell begins to ring, when 
 we immediately get up, dress ourselves & go to Chap- 
 pel ; the Prayers usually take up half an Hour ; on our 
 return we find every thing ready for Breakfast & we 
 send to the Butler for whatever we chuse, at 9 oclock 
 we go to M"" D eight on who gives us a Lecture on Euclid 
 which lasts till Ten or sometimes longer ; at eleven, 
 M' Purkis reads us a Lecture on Morality for about an 
 Hour or an Hour & a half, & between that & Dinner 
 we usually spend in dressing, the Dinner Bell rings 
 at one oclock, when we all, except the Master, meet in 
 the Hall where there are four Tables one, at the upper 
 end, for the Fellows & Fellow Commoners ; another 
 for the Pensioners, a third for those who have taken 
 their Degree, & a fourth for the Sizer ; as soon as the 
 Fellows have din'd, Grace is said, & they retire to a 
 private room to drink wine ; we seldom stay longer in 
 the Hall, than Two o clock, when it is customary to invite 
 one another to drink Wine in our Rooms ; but as this is 
 a Fashion not at all agreable to me, for several reason, 
 I avoid it as much as I can, & for this reason, generally 
 engage some one to walk after Dinner ; the afternoon is 
 at our own Disposal not having any particular business 
 to do unless it is to prepare for Lectures the next day. 
 at four o clock the Bedmaker comes to know if we Drink 
 Tea at Home & what we chuse to eat, we generally 
 form Parties for Tea either among ourselves, or from 
 other Colleges — but stay it is just five oclock & I am 
 engag'd this afternoon to Tea, so must defer this now 
 to another opportunity — excuse all faults for I have not 
 time to look it over, remember me to all Friends & I 
 am. Dear George, 
 
 Your loving Brother, 
 
 R. D. Cumberland. 
 
 P.S. Shoud rather you woud keep the Dog till 
 this term is over, as I have not yet settled [ ] 
 
32 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 of my Household, & for fear of any [accident] in 
 coming down. 
 
 To M'^ Cumberland, 
 
 Exchange Assurance Office, 
 London. 
 
 On March the 21st Richard, who was somewhat inclined 
 to make his brother a general agent in London for the 
 needs of himself and his friends, acknowledged the safe 
 arrival of some " Tea and Sugar " procured for a com- 
 panion who had considered it " very good at the price " 
 and had handed that price, whatever it may have been, 
 to Richard. A redirected letter had also reached him, 
 which contained a welcome introduction : 
 
 I am exceedingly obliged to M^ Gipps for this 
 recommendation, as there is no Person in this University 
 whose Acquaintance I am more desirous of cultivating 
 than M^ Squires. ... I must finish this Letter before 
 Eight, being engag'd to supper with two or three of this 
 College, we always Sup in our Rooms, there being no, 
 Supper provided in the Hall as is usual in most Colleges 
 about Eight o Clock a list containing 10 or 12 trifling 
 Dishes is brought in, & Every one chuses what He has 
 a mind to, which is set down to His ace. so that when a 
 Man invites half a dozen Friends to sup with Him, 
 He need only provide a bottle or two of Wine, unless 
 His Visitors are of another College. 
 
 The mention of wine brought to his mind the subject 
 of drinking, which " as you know will neither agree with 
 the weakness of my Purse or my Constitution." He 
 had been " drawn in one night soon after I came to drink 
 rather more than did me good," but had since " carefully 
 avoided it," and now never drank " more than three or 
 four Glasses at a Sitting." 
 
 An interval marks the occurrence of a vacation, during 
 
The Cumberland Letters 33 
 
 which Richard was no doubt in London. In this gap 
 appears his bill for the term, sent by the proctor, Mr. 
 Purkis, to Mr. Tapp, and duly paid. It may be of some 
 interest to know what were the expenses incurred by an 
 economical young man at Cambridge in the year 1772. 
 
 Magd: Coll: Camb: 
 
 Afril 10, 1772. 
 Sir, 
 
 I send you a very large Bill. But great Part of 
 it is only a Deposit. The Caution-Money will be all 
 returned. The Joyner amounting to 2\^ 6. 9 & the 
 Income of the Room will be returned except one third. 
 The gown etc are expenses which will not occur 
 again. 
 
 The young man behaves very well & is very attentive 
 & sober. You will pay the amount to Mess" Walpole, 
 Clark & Bourne to my Credit. I shall shortly be in Town 
 when I will give you the [ ]. 
 
 I am, Sir, 
 
 Your obed' Serv', 
 
 W^ PURKIS. 
 
 Cumberlands Bill for the Qr ending at Lady Dy. 
 1772 
 
 Steward .... 4 
 
 Apothecary . 
 
 
 
 
 
 Barber 
 
 
 
 
 II 6 
 
 Bedmaker 
 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 Brazier 
 
 
 
 
 2 8 
 
 Bookseller 
 
 
 
 
 I 14 10 
 
 Butler 
 
 
 
 
 — 15 
 
 Chandler 
 
 
 
 
 I 14 3 
 
 Coals . 
 
 
 
 
 I 8 
 
 Cook . 
 
 
 
 
 I 4 4 
 
 Draper 
 
 
 
 
 2 16 4i 
 
 Glazier 
 
 
 
 
 . — I — 
 
 Surplice 
 
 
 
 
 15 
 
34 
 
 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 
 
 /. J. 
 
 i. 
 
 Smith . 
 
 . — 3 
 
 8 
 
 Hosier & Milliner 
 
 
 
 ^ oyner 
 
 . 24 6 
 
 9 
 
 ' Liaundress 
 
 « 
 
 . — 18 
 
 
 Letters 
 
 
 
 
 Taylor 
 
 
 I 3 
 
 II 
 
 Money 
 
 
 2 2 
 
 
 Painter 
 
 
 • — 13 
 
 10 
 
 Shoemaker . 
 
 
 — 12 
 
 
 'i'utor . 
 
 
 2 — 
 
 
 
 49 18 
 
 I* 
 
 brot from X 
 
 . 25 18 
 
 7 
 
 
 75 16 
 
 8i 
 
 Cumberlands Bill to Xmas. 
 
 
 
 Coll : Admission . 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 Stew^ 
 
 13 
 
 I 
 
 Tutor . 
 
 2 — 
 
 
 
 3 13 
 
 I 
 
 Caution Money 
 
 . 17 
 
 
 Income of the Room 
 
 • 5 5 
 
 6 
 
 carr*^ forw*^ . 25 1 8 
 
 7 
 
 Reed April 29 1772 of M' W"' Tapp the contents 
 
 of this Bill ,TT T^ 
 
 Wm. ruRKis. 
 
 On Saturday, June the 1 8th, Richard, very stiff in the 
 hand from rowing, wrote to his brother warmly about 
 the summer joys of Cambridge, the walks so agreeable, 
 the river so handy — " you know I always lov'd an Oar." 
 Success had attended him in his work, and he felt elated, 
 " having just past a good examination & Read & 
 declaim'd in Chappie ; three very serious affairs." 
 
 A vacation once more intervenes, and we take up our 
 
The Cumberland Letters 35 
 
 young gentleman again on the afternoon of Sunday, 
 November the 8th, when we find him drinking wine with 
 " three Trinitonians, my particular friends," and re- 
 ceiving from his brother *' a long expected letter." I 
 hope it was not the wine of the Trinitonians that led 
 'him to describe its date as " the 17th inst " — in an 
 answer written on the 8th of the month ! 
 
 George's pleasure in seeing Garrick act he envied, 
 " but not so much as to ride up to Town to enjoy it, 
 as some of my Acquaintance Here have done, and will 
 do, this winter." 
 
 In response to a request for a journal of his Cambridge 
 life, he provided a record of the last three days — and a 
 chronicle of small-beer it proved, made up largely of 
 little calls, and eatings and drinkings, a supper here, 
 fruit and a glass of wine there, tea in a third place — 
 " Squire gives the best Dish of tea of any Man I know " 
 — interspersed with a certain proportion of lectures. 
 Mr. Ashby was about to lay particulars of Richard's 
 position before the Bishop (the Dramatist's father), 
 who had enquired " what Sum wou'd be necessary at 
 this Time." 
 
 Within a few days he was replying to another letter 
 from George and was " glad to hear that Mr. Tapp 
 will be so kind as to wait on Mr. Cumberland, who is 
 one that loves a little Ceremony in these Matters, of 
 which Mr. Ashby gave me a hint, the other Day." 
 
 Three days later Mr. Cumberland, in Queen Anne 
 Street, was inditing the following letter which, for the 
 sake of the light it throws upon the situation of the 
 Cumberland brothers and their mother, may be given 
 entire. It was written, evidently, to Mr. Ashby, and how 
 it ever came into the possession of the collector of this 
 correspondence remains mysterious. 
 
36 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 Queen Ann St. Nov. i6'*. 
 
 My dear Cousin, 
 
 I hope I may congratulate you on your safe 
 arrival at Cambridge & I have the pleasure to inform 
 you of my having landed my charge in Health & 
 Safety within Her own House & in Her childrens 
 arms, who are very well both they at Home & those at 
 Westminster. If I had met anything worth commu- 
 nicating to you I shoud before now have troubled you 
 with a Letter, but London is for what I know of it as 
 dull & vacant as the town of Leicester, may be, except 
 indeed you ventured into the Company of Aldermen 
 & Councilmen where you might meet with noise 
 enough, tho in point of dulness you woud not mend 
 your market. I hope you are getting thro' your Business, 
 & should be happy to hear you had brought it to an 
 agreable & profitable issue. 
 
 A Letter has arrived from D. Cumberland of 
 Magdalen which has produced a conversation between 
 his Friend M' Balchen & me upon the subject of the 
 young mans finances, which seem to stand in need of 
 some little assistance. In what manner best to apply 
 this assistance on the Part of my Father is a matter of 
 some little debate in my mind : M*" Tapp a worthy 
 trader here in town, pays His Tutors Bills, & by how 
 much He exceeds His College Exhibitions etc supplies 
 them from a small fund arising from the Amicable 
 Society of Annuitents ; the Bills come quarterly & I 
 am of opinion the best method upon the whole will be 
 to throw in the Bishops Blessing into the Hands of 
 M' Tapp in aid of the slender fund, by which means 
 I shall see the particulars of His expences & can 
 proportion my aid to the nature of the Demands & the 
 situation of the fund, which if it holds out long enough 
 to land Him in Holy Orders will have done all that we 
 require of it : this being the case provided the youth is 
 not in personal want, I think you need do no more on 
 our behalf than signifie my design to Him ; & as His 
 Tutor supphes His pocket & other necessities I shoud 
 
The Cumberland Letters 37 
 
 expect there woud be no call upon you of that sort. — 
 We join in Love & good wishes to M" Ashby & you 
 & desire you ever to believe me, Dear S'', 
 
 Most aflec. & truly yours. 
 
 Richard must have written a letter of thanks to Mr. 
 Tapp, who in a fine clerkly hand replies : 
 
 London, ^f^ Nov'' 1772. 
 
 Dear S% 
 
 Both your Letters came duly to hand and it 
 gives me great Pleasure to find my Endeavours have had 
 the wishd for effect of contributing to Your Happiness, 
 & exteemd my self indebted to You for the Estimation 
 You Rate them at. 
 
 In consequence of Your last Letter M' Balchen 
 waited on M*" Cumberland &l acquainted him fully 
 with Your Mothers & Your Situation, & left it for 
 him to Judge from thence of what was Proper for him to 
 add to it, what the Bishop determind on, he told 
 M^ Balchen, he would send to me, as I pay all M"" Purkis's 
 Bills ; but I have not heard from him Yet, I expect to 
 be at the Bear at Cambridge for half an Hour, about 9 
 o'clock on Monday Morning where shall be glad to 
 take you by the [hand] if Your Studies will permit & 
 remind with all [ ] kind Love & best Wishes, 
 
 Y''^ Sincerely, 
 
 W. Tapp. 
 
 To M^ Rich** Dennison Cumberland, 
 Magdalen College, 
 
 Cambridge. 
 
 Accordingly, on the Monday morning, '' as soon as 
 Chapel was over," Richard repaired to the " Bear," 
 had a good fire Ughted in one of the best rooms, and 
 awaited Mr. Tapp's coming, but in vain. On December 
 the 3rd he wrote anxiously to enquire whether Mr. Tapp 
 had taken another route. The touch of uneasiness that 
 
38 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 may be read between the lines suggests, what indeed 
 subsequent letters amply confirm, that Mr. Tapp was 
 a gentleman o£ somewhat thorny disposition. 
 
 The next letters are occupied by the possibility or 
 impossibility of Richard's coming to London, the zealous 
 Mr. Purkis having proposed to atone for a fortnight's 
 absence from Cambridge by carrying on his lectures 
 until Christmas. Apparently the youth did get home, 
 for there is no such letter of good wishes for the season 
 as would have been proper from a son at a distance. 
 Some letters, it would seem, must have been lost, 
 for there are none between January the i8th and 
 March the 30th. On the latter date Richard thanked 
 his brother for " the welcome news of our kind Relation's 
 present, which pleased me not a little as I look on it 
 to be an Earnest of His Future Favor." This " kind 
 relation " was, in all probability, Bishop Cumberland. 
 A new plan of adding to the scanty fund available for 
 the expenses of his education had now presented itself 
 to Richard's mind. He had been assured by " Some of 
 my Friends here " that 
 
 if I knew how to make Interest I might get some of 
 the Companys Exhibitions, without any great Trouble & 
 there are some Men here who have to the value of ^50 
 pr. Ann. from them. 
 
 George was invited, therefore, to procure lists of 
 leading members of " one or two of the most promising 
 Companys (the Mercers, Drapers or Ironm'')," and to 
 endeavour, he being " always in the City & so much 
 connected with Men in Business," to obtain introductions 
 and ask for recommendations. Evidently Richard was, 
 this spring, in a mood of improvement and reformation. 
 
 Since my last I have turned off my old Jade of a 
 
The Cumberland Letters 39 
 
 Bedmaker, who was very slow & woud do nothing 
 without being bid, and have got an exceeding good one 
 that will do her Business without looking after. I hate 
 jobing Servants of all things. 
 
 As the bedmaker is heard of no more, it may be in- 
 ferred that the new broom continued to sweep clean. 
 On April the 27th Richard wrote again : 
 
 Dear George, 
 
 Yours of the i8th inst: I duly reced. Am^ greatly 
 obligd to you for speaking to the Gentlem" you mention 
 about the Exhibitions & as they have so much Interest 
 in those Company, I flatter Myself if there be any Thing 
 to be had they will procure it for Me. — I have tried 
 every method but have not been able to get the least 
 intelligence from the people here, as I am not acquainted 
 with any of them they are very shy and backward at 
 giving information on that Subject. — I beg you will 
 continue to make Interest for Me — you cannot do Me 
 a greater kindness — I am sorry My neglecting to write 
 shoud give My dearest Mother a moment's Uneasiness ; 
 indeed My waiting for Your answer to My last was the 
 true Cause, as usual I happend to write on the same Day 
 as You — ^Pray give My Duty & say She may depend 
 on my being more careful for the Future but wish when 
 I am tardy She would think of the old proverb " No 
 News &c." 
 
 The Success you have met with in collecting the 
 Rents gives me much Satisfaction. I dare to say you 
 begin to find the Convenience of being near the Spot. — 
 Your Diligence at this Time will gain you great Credit 
 with your Friends as well as ease & Leisure in the 
 Summer Months. 
 
 I am sincerely glad to hear of the little pleasures 
 you have taken & heartily wish you a great deal more. 
 — ^Your account of the Puppet Show gave me great 
 entertainment & as I have never heard a Tittle of it 
 before, beg you will finish it in your next. 
 
40 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 We have our Diversions here too but of a different 
 kind. Ours are perfectly Domestic — Forming agreeable 
 parties to Tea — a Walk after Chappie to the Neigh- 
 bouring Villages — & spending the Evening in a sociable 
 Manner are the only Diversions I at present am desirous 
 of — & such as these are best adapted to one of My 
 Disposition who have a kind of an antipathy to all 
 active & Noisy Entertainments — In short if this retired 
 Life has but few Enjoyments it has still fewer Cares. — 
 There is Nothing talked of here but a War pray let Me 
 kn[ ] if there be any Truth in the report. I don[ ] 
 believe a Tittle of it — Can you conceive how it is possible 
 to exist 6 weeks without seeing a News-paper ? This I 
 have done, but intend to break My Fast to Night with 3d 
 worth of News at the Coffee House to see how the World 
 goes on — ^Tis brave warm weather & I sit without 
 Fire all the Day & light one at Night — there's contri- 
 vance ! 
 
 We are very busy — Lectures morn. & afternoon 
 so can never stir out till evening which is the pleasantest 
 time for walking at this Season of year. 
 
 My Bill last Easter amounted to such a triffle when 
 the Exhibition was deducted from it that Purkis will not 
 send it up till Midsummer. 
 
 Remember me to all Friends & if you hear any 
 thing that concerns Me I entreat you let Me know as soon 
 as possible. I have neither room nor time to add more 
 but be assured I am 
 
 Your affectionate Brother 
 & sincere Friend, 
 
 R. D. Cumberland. 
 
 Mr. Cumberland, 
 
 Exchange Assurance Office, 
 London. 
 
 Apparently George's efforts in the matter of exhi- 
 bitions had some measure of success, for upon May the 3rd 
 his brother is found writing as follows : 
 
The Cumberland Letters 41 
 
 Cambridge 'if May 1773. 
 
 Dear George, 
 
 I duly rece'd yours dated 30'^ April & thank 
 you for the agreable News it containd. How much 
 am I indebted to M^ Ekins & M*^ Sheldon for their 
 readiness to serve me. I beg you will make my best 
 respects to them & let them know how sensible I am 
 of their kindness to me — D' Mores has not [ansjwerd 
 the Letter I wrote Him nor did I ever expect He woud. 
 I begin to think He is not a man of His word however 
 I have still some expectations from M'' Martin who you 
 told me in one of your Letters woud put the D' in 
 mind of His promise. If M'^ Cross sends for me over 
 I will contrive to be absent a Day or two from College 
 but wish He had come along at any other Time as we 
 are very busy with Lectures just now. 
 
 I am sorry I cannot give you the Information you 
 desire about my coming up as I do not know when our 
 Lectures will finish but will let you know Time enough 
 beforehand & shall be very happy to have you here for 
 as long a Time as you can get leave of absence S: then 
 return with you. It will be most likely about the latter 
 end of June. I shoud be loth to have you come before 
 I have Leisure to entertain you besides the weather will 
 be more settled — an ingenious Friend of mine has just 
 finished a painting of Oliver Cromwell from an original 
 picture in Sidney Library & shall be glad to know if 
 any of the Exhibitions are not yet open'd & wether 
 they take Copys for I am sure it woud do Him great credit 
 — I have puzzled myself a deal to know what you want 
 with a suit of academicals & am as much in the dark 
 as ever. However I have procured a Soph. Gown from 
 Trinity. It is to be sure a little the worse for 3 years hard 
 wear, but as we esteem [ ] the more honorable 
 
 for being ragged I hope you will consider it in the same 
 light. The [cap] I bought this morn of a Bedmaker 
 for i a [crown] it belongd once to a Master of Arts 
 who lately left College & is the broadest I have ever 
 seen, pray take care of it & do not break the Board as 
 
42 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 I intend to turn & make it as good as new. These with 
 the largest Band I have will make you a perfect Aca- 
 demick & you will find them in a parcel at the Green 
 Dragon near Bishopsgate Street any time on Thursday 
 morning. As they come by the Waggon it will be only 
 sixpence Carriage & you need not return them till you 
 hear from me again. 
 
 With Duty Love & Comp*" to all Friends respec- 
 tively, 
 
 I am Dear George, 
 
 Your loving Brother & faithful Friend, 
 
 R. D. Cumberland. 
 
 N.B. The Parcel is directed to be left till called 
 for. So do not forget to send on Thursday morning. 
 
 To M' Geo: Cumberland, 
 
 Exchange Assurance Office, 
 3 May 1773. London. 
 
 For what purpose George wanted these " academicals " 
 remains unknown. He explained the matter to his 
 brother, who regretted that he had not known sooner, 
 so that he might have sent a more suitable gown, but 
 the letter in which he did so is not among those pre- 
 served. The scheme, whatever it may have been, was 
 pronounced by Richard to be a very reasonable one, 
 but, unless he had some occasion for appearing in fancy 
 dress, it is not easy to guess why George Cumberland 
 should desire to wear a cap, gown and band. 
 
 The missing letter must also have conveyed some 
 information about the affairs of Ann Balchen, the sister 
 of Mrs. Cumberland, whom, from the circumstance 
 that her nephews always spoke of her as " Nancy," I 
 surmise to have been considerably younger. She was 
 evidently an ungovernable person, and had, I believe, 
 been recently imprisoned for debt. She did not live 
 many years longer, and may possibly have been suffering 
 
The Cumberland Letters 43 
 
 from one of those obscure brain diseases which lead to 
 violent and irresponsible conduct. 
 
 " I am shocked to hear what a miserable situation 
 Nancy has reduced Herself to by Her Folly & Impru- 
 dence, tho it is no worse than what every Body who knew 
 Her expected. I think however something shoud be 
 done for Her at least to prevent Her being driven thro 
 real Want to bring further Disgrace on Herself & 
 Family." 
 
 Dr. Mores, of whose failure to reply to letters addressed 
 to him Richard had written with some asperity, had now 
 entirely disculpated himself by writing to enquire 
 whether a communication from him, dated April the 
 27th, had ever been received. 
 
 " On the same day I wrote several Letters, to none of 
 which have I receivd any answer, therefore I am sus- 
 picious they may have been conceald by the Person to 
 whose care I entrusted them." 
 
 Experiences of this sort were common at a period when 
 the official rates of postage were so high that persons who 
 could not obtain a " frank " from a Member of ParHa- 
 ment snatched at every opportunity of forwarding their 
 letters by a private hand. A few days later, on May the 
 I ith, the missing letter was delivered and proved to be of 
 a very satisfactory character. The exact nature of the 
 assistance towards Richard Cumberland's college ex- 
 penses which Dr. Mores had promised does not become 
 clear ; but it seems certain that it was given. Richard, 
 indeed, was, to use an old phrase, " in luck's way " at 
 this time. The letter which announces the arrival of 
 that from Dr. Mores proceeds with the news that " Mr. 
 Cross has made mc a very handsome present of above 
 
44 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 3 Score Volumes, out of His Study at Westow, most of 
 them very useful Books." 
 
 On or about the 21st of this month (May, 1773) 
 Richard received a letter from George, to which he 
 replied thus : 
 
 How much am I obligd to my'dear Brother for; His 
 Letter 19'^ which 1 reced last night — ^you cannot con- 
 ceive how happy the News of this Exhibition has made me, 
 as every thing of that kind will help to pay off my great 
 but unavoidable Expences & lessen the Incumbrance I 
 am to my Friends. Your sending me a Copy of a Letter 
 I take very kind for the are very apt to make a difficulty 
 of every Thing that is uncommon I shall be much obligd 
 to you to deliver the inclosed as soon as convenient. 
 I was at a loss how to direct to M'^ Sheldon not knowing 
 His Xtian Name or wether Esq" was necessary, be so 
 good as to do this for me in a proper manner as like 
 my Hand as you can — I have wrote a Letter of Thanks 
 to M"" Ekins to whom I think myself infinitely obligd, 
 but I have not wrote to D'' Mores ; for I think it quite 
 unnecessary to put Him to the expence & Trouble 
 of a Letter, since my last was to thank Him in the same 
 manner as if I had reced the money — beside intend Him 
 a visit soon. 
 
 Your account of the present state of Friends & 
 relations gives me great Pleasure & is what I have 
 wanted a long Time to hear. Upon the whole your 
 News is as good as one can expect among so many. 
 You forgot to send the little Band back, pray put into 
 the next parcel. I was taken up with Lectures this 
 whole morning & the post going out very early this 
 aft: makes me send this by the Fly — & beleive it will 
 go cheaper quicker & as safe & will cost me only a 
 Groat the carriage & you may give the Porter the same 
 for bringing it. No post goes out on Saturdays — I 
 have been so much hurried with Business that I coud 
 not get Time to sail on the meadows which have been 
 
The Cumberland Letters 45 
 
 flooded these 3 Days There has been no rain to Day 
 & the water goes off apace. 
 
 Is Waters in Town — I wrote to Him at Oxford 
 some Time since but have reced no answer — What do 
 you think of D' Mores Behavior is He mad or in His 
 Senses — a wise man or a Fool — I take Him to be an 
 excellent Logician — one that can prove Black to be 
 white better than any Lawyer whatever. 
 
 See if you can pick up a Caricature called the Venus 
 de Medicis & buy it for me, it is designd for a worthy 
 Friend of mine. 
 
 Remember me to my dear mother & all our Friends 
 Excure Blunders thro haste & beleive me to be 
 
 Your sincere & loving 
 
 Friend & Brother, 
 
 R. D. Cumberland. 
 
 2V* May 1773. 
 
 A later communication countermands the order for the 
 print, and adds : 
 
 To gratify any Curiosity You may have You can see 
 it in Henrietta Str: it is a Caricature of Purkis in the 
 attitude of a Venus receiving the Hamper of dead Game 
 with several interesting anecdotes relating to Him. 
 
 A letter of a week lat^r shows that it was to the 
 Drapers' Company that Richard was indebted for the 
 addition to his income. A bit of family and local news 
 was imparted at the same time. 
 
 The long expected Picture came down on Mon: 
 last in a very handsome Frame, the Bishop of Peter- 
 boro's Name on the Top and underneath wrote — the 
 Gift of Dr. Cum: Bishop of Kilmore — it is fixt at the 
 upper End of the Hall wh: sets it off very well being 
 painted Green. 
 
 In August our young man, back at Cambridge after 
 a vacation, was still dreaming of further exhibitions and 
 
46 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 comporting himself with the greatest possible deference 
 to all his elders and betters. 
 
 Cambridge 27 August, 
 
 I suppose, my dear Brother, you have by this Time 
 seen M"^ Tapp & that He has satisfied all your en- 
 quiries after me — you cannot conceive how much Plea- 
 sure His coming gave me after having spent ten Days in 
 expectation & had just begun to give over all thoughts 
 of seeing Him, but His kind & friendly Behavior to 
 me whilst He staid Has made me extremely Happy. 
 The only thing which vexed me, & that not a little, 
 was my not seeing M"" Tapp before He set off ; having 
 parted from Him the Night before with a Promise to be 
 with Him early next morning I sat up till near one 
 
 clock writing to you & J. Waters & after all by an 
 unlucky mistake was suffer'd to sleep till the Bell rung 
 for Chappie & it was too late to send them, the Fly 
 being gone almost -J- an Hour, never was any one so 
 angry with Himself as I was then, & the more so as the 
 appointment was of my own making, all I cou'd do was 
 to write an apology for my Behavior & that I fear 
 was not sufficient. M^ Purkis came to College last 
 Sunday & left it yesterday afternoon, during His 
 stay He treated me with the greatest civility & before 
 He went promised to recommend me in a Particular 
 manner to the Bishops favor that He might provide for 
 me as soon as possible. As I know it is in His power to 
 do more for me in that Way than any one else, being 
 perfectly acquainted with the Nature of those affairs 
 
 1 have great expectations of success from His recom- 
 mendation. As He will not return before the 18'^ 
 of next month I got the enclosed certificate signed & 
 shall be obligd to you to deliver it to M' Smith as soon 
 as necessary & shall take it as a great favor if M' Ekins 
 will give you a few particulars proper to be mention*^ 
 in my Petition which you may write down & give the 
 Clerk who will draw them up in Form. 
 
 I take the opportunity of sending these by a Gent" 
 
The Cumberland Letters 47 
 
 who called on me to Night to take His leave, going to 
 Town tomorrow. When you write next let me know 
 when M^ & M" Smith will be in Town for good & 
 when M"" Cross talks of coming down here. I look 
 for my Parcel & a long Letter from you by the Waggon 
 to-morrow morning — Duty to my dear mother, I write 
 this to Her as well as you. Shall be very much obligd 
 to Her to pay the Shoemaker as soon as possible that He 
 may not trouble M"" Tapp again. He askd me about it & 
 I told him my mother would pay it — I am very sure it 
 will make no difference to Her or I woud not desire 
 it, only M"" Tapp hates such small accounts. 
 
 Pray make my best respects to your worthy Governor 
 & all our good Friends in town. And let me hear from 
 you soon or I shall begin to be uneasy. Remember this 
 is the second Letter unanswerd from 
 
 Your affect^ Brother, 
 
 R. D. Cumberland. 
 
 * ■ • 
 
 Mr. Smith was the patron who had given Richard 
 reason to hope for a living as soon as he should be old 
 enough to hold it, and I think that efforts were being 
 made to admit our young man a little earlier than usual 
 to ordination. 
 
 On September the 22nd he wrote, evidently with a new 
 pen, and in what he himself might have called " a very 
 superior style of calligraphy," the following letter : 
 
 ^ep, 22, 1773. 
 
 Once more my dear Brother I am set down to answer 
 your Letters & hope I shall make an end of it this Time. 
 
 It pleases me not a little to hear the D' continues 
 to pay quarterly as I intend to make an attempt to get 
 it renew'd. As to M' Cross I dont expect to see Him 
 again this Summer & beleive He had enough of Cam- 
 bridgeshire in the Spring — His intended alliance with 
 L"^ Bellamont is likely enough to be true & I wish it 
 may as I hear He bears a very good Character for a L * 
 
 d 
 
48 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 tho His Estate is but small — I am very much pleased 
 tho no way surprized at the remarkable instance of Friend- 
 ship our cousin has met with : all the World must 
 allow that No man can be more deserving o£ it. 
 
 I have discoverd a mistake in the first Bill you sent 
 me for ;£i 4 6 for cloth which I had paid for. I told 
 Purkis of it this morning at Breakfast & He will 
 deduct it from this Q'^ Bill. The other Articles are 
 right — you may mention it to M^ Tapp — I have been 
 oddly situated since I left you sometime alone at another 
 Time only Purkis & self who has taken me into com- 
 mons with Him & shewn me a Thousand Civilities 
 which no under Graduate ever reced from Him before, 
 but the case is He is going to leave us very soon & begins 
 to divest Himself of that reserve & Haughtiness He 
 was oblig'd to assume or in His own words to unite the 
 Scholar & the Gentleman — The Fair opend on Satur- 
 day & last Night I was at the Play Booth we had The 
 Clandestine Marriage & the Citizen. The first tolerably 
 acted, but the Farce equal to anything of the kind I ever 
 saw in Town, the Characters of young Philpot & 
 Maria inimitably well performed & upon the whole 
 gave great satisfaction. Cambridge which for these 3 
 months past has been the dullest Place on earth begins 
 to revive again, the Colleges fill apace & hope in another 
 month to see every thing in statu quo. 
 
 The Bell rings for Dinner I must break off 
 
 7 o clock. I had but just set down when a message 
 was sent in that a Gent" at the Crown woud be glad to 
 see me, as soon as Dinner was over away I posted & who 
 shoud it be but Brown the Attorney — ^We walked to 
 the Fair & afterwards drank Tea in my rooms. He is 
 just gone and left Me at leisure to finish my Letter & 
 make up the Parcel which I am sure is a better Way of 
 spending my evening than going to the Play, at least 
 a Cheaper. — Whilst My eyes will permit I can read till 
 Ten or Eleven o clock with great satisfaction to myself 
 otherwise shoud be in a dreadful situation now I am so 
 much alone — I shoud^have been happy to seen you here 
 
Richard Denison Cumherland 
 
 Aged 2 1 
 
 
The Cumberland Letters 49 
 
 this Summer had it been consistent with prudence to 
 have come down, but next Summer will do as well & 
 I begin to perceive neither your Finances nor mine will 
 permit us to put in execution any expensive Schemes. 
 At present it is very well if we can contrive to appear 
 genteel and avoid doing any thing mean. For my part 
 I have only schemed away 4' since I came down & find 
 myself not a little the better for it (I mean in pocket) 
 A year or two more may make a considerable alteration 
 in my circumstances till when I coud not possibly be 
 more happily situated than at present, you, my dear 
 Brother, have as pleasing a prospect before you ; Your 
 natural Ingenuity will always make you Friends & 
 dependance on such Friends as ours are no doubt far 
 preferable to the possession of a small Fortune, the Idea 
 of which very often fills a man with strange Notions of 
 Independance & is the greatest obstacle to His rising 
 in the World — But I am beginning to moralize & of 
 course to be very dull. I much question if you had 
 patience to read thus far — But before I conclude I must 
 beg you to thank my dearest Mother, in my Name for 
 Her intended Present, tho I have not yet receiv'd it, 
 nothing coud be more acceptable & I hope it will serve 
 me till Xmas. 
 
 I expect a Letter at the same Time but you must not 
 look for an answer immediately as I am often ashamed 
 to put you to the expence of 3^ for what can never be 
 worth a penny — present my Duty Love and Comp*' 
 where due. 
 
 With the best Wishes to you & my dear Mother 
 that a sincere affection can inspire beleive me to be ever 
 your unfeigned Friend & loving Brother, 
 
 R. D. Cumberland. 
 
 M' Geo: Cumberland. 
 
 This well-written and moral composition did not 
 obtain the prompt reply which its writer may have felt 
 to be deserved ; on October the 17th we find him com- 
 plaining that he gets no letters from his brother. 
 
 D 
 
50 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 I really beleive 'tis a full Month since I reced one. 
 ... I expect to receive a very long Epistle from you 
 next Teusday beginning with, that old threadbare 
 apology of want of Time which a favourite Author of 
 mine says is only fit to be made by a Cobbler who has a 
 Wife and Six Children to maintain with a Waxed 
 Thread. 
 
 This " favourite Author " I have not been able to 
 identify ; his dictum comes a little ungracefully from 
 a brother enjoying the leisure of Magdalen to one who 
 added all sorts of supplementary work to his daily 
 labours in a London office. The silence of George 
 had been caused mainly by a prolonged fit of depression, 
 for which Richard, in his next letter, begs leave 
 
 to prescribe as the only specific I know of a constant 
 exercise & Imployment both of Mind & Body, which 
 never fails to cure ; 
 
 — an observation from which it may fairly be inferred that 
 Richard was not personally acquainted with those horrible 
 intervals of gloom that oppress the spirits of some 
 energetic and generally cheerful persons. The incessant 
 activity and almost feverish perseverance in employment 
 which he advises may actually be the very symptoms of 
 a temperament for whose solitary hours melancholy 
 lies in wait. George Cumberland, the more vivacious 
 and versatile of the brothers, was also the sadder. 
 
 Richard heard with grief of the continued dangerous 
 illness of Mr. Petty (the family of Petty appears often 
 in the correspondence), and reflected : 
 
 how much more sensibly the loss of such a man must be 
 felt than that of such a useless Member of Society as 
 myself who instead of maintaining a Family am idly 
 spending as much as woud maintain one. 
 
The Cumberland Letters 51 
 
 On the last day of the same month he was once more 
 complaining of a lack of letters. " Pray," he enquires, 
 " did you fast Yesterday ? " 
 
 I assure You we fasted & prayed too until 4 o Clock 
 by which Time being half dead with Cold & Hunger 
 we retird from Chappie into the Hall & sat down with 
 an excellent Appetite to what is here called a Feast 
 which is only three Times our ususal Commons, observe 
 how ingenious we are to fast & feast too in the Space 
 of one Day. 
 
 He had been drinking tea with 
 
 a Mrs Green a maiden Lady about five & Thirty — 
 Mrs. Ashby introduced me — she was so obliging as to 
 give me a general Invitation to Visit Her whenever 
 she was in Cambridge where she resides every Winter. 
 As this Acquaintance is a little out of the common 
 Way here, it is the more agreeable. 
 
 Among many small requests contained in this letter 
 is one for a " piece of Elastic Gum to rub out pencil." 
 If we may judge from this and some other passages of 
 Richard's letters, india-rubber was a commodity not 
 procurable in Cambridge in the year 1773. 
 
 Towards the end of November the collegiate tran- 
 quillity that pervades several of these letters had under- 
 gone some disturbance, and the sober Richard reports 
 what in modern slang would be called a " rag," but in 
 1773 was called, for reasons which the letter itself sug- 
 gests, " a scrape." The 
 
 severe Procter (i.e. Mr. Purkis) last week find a Trinity 
 Man 20s for walking without a Gown and it was 
 agreed to scrape him on the Sunday following when He 
 was to preach at St Mary's in the afternoon — accord- 
 ingly about the middle of His Discourse the Trinitonians 
 began the Scrape & it was continued to such a Degree 
 
52 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 that he was obligd to break off several Times being unable 
 to make Himself heard, but no sooner did he begin again 
 but the Scrape was resum'd in this Manner He finished 
 His Sermon. The Vice Chancellor then got up, orderd 
 the Door o£ that Gallery where the Noise was most 
 observable to be lockd & desired the Porter to take all 
 the Scholars names who were in it one by one as they 
 came out. We all crouded towards the Door & whilst 
 He was waiting for Pen & Ink a violent Hiss ensued & 
 those behind pressing forwards, the Door was forced 
 open about 30 amongst whom was Your humble Servt. 
 were forced out the rest being stopped by those who fell 
 in the Passage had their Names inserted in the black List 
 to the Number of about 300. It was expected that since 
 it was impossible to distinguish the Innocent from the 
 Guilty they woud have been decimated that is every 
 tenth Man expell'd — nay one Man went so far as to 
 assert that every -fijth woud be decimated — but it ended 
 less tragically for at a Meeting of the Heads of Colleges 
 about it next Day, it was agreed that each shoud send 
 for the Men of His College who were in the List & give 
 them only — a private reprimand. 
 
 To-day I become Jun' Soph or in other Words enter 
 into My second Year — the Freshmen used to give 
 an Entertainment in the Hall on such days — but alas 
 poor Maudlin has not produced any this Year & so we 
 must even be contented to go without our Supper. 
 
 He concluded his letter by a list of things which he 
 desired sent to him, to wit : " i pr. of raw Silk Stockings 
 — white, 2 red & white spotted Handk^ 2s 6d each, the 
 old Hat, a piece of pencil rubber," and — a request which 
 suggests that the new bedmaker was not entirely irre- 
 proachable — " the best new invented Lock or padlock 
 for a Box, that cannot be opened by a common Key 
 or picker, to keep Tea & Suger in if it does not cost too 
 much." It must be recollected that these commo- 
 dities were of a price very different from their modern 
 
The Cumberland Letters 53 
 
 ones ; in a previous letter he had asked for " 2i lbs of 
 10/ Souchong (let it be packed in Lead)," and perhaps 
 this store was disappearing more quickly than his per- 
 sonal dispensing of it could explain. 
 
 On November the izth, according to the written date, 
 but really I feel pretty sure a month later, Richard 
 acknowledged the receipt of all these objects : " the 
 Eraser was as large as I wanted," and "all the things 
 please Me better than if I had chose them myself," 
 while the padlock" is inexpicable and has already puzzled 
 the best Math"^"' in College." It had now occurred 
 to him that he would like to learn to draw, and that his 
 brother might be able to instruct him by correspondence, 
 " at least for those parts of Drawing which require only 
 a Mechanical Genius for that is all I have to boast of. 
 I think however it is an Art and perhaps the only one 
 which may be communicated by Letter, as you may 
 set me a few Copies every week with Direction's on the 
 same Sheet how to use My pencil &c — please to begin 
 with the rudiments of portrait painting. I mean the 
 human Face & then proceed to the Limbs &c." 
 
 With this request the ever obliging George complied, 
 and two or three letters exhibit various carefully pencilled 
 eyes and mouths of the classic type, such as used to appear 
 in very old-fashioned drawing-books. 
 
 The account of " the Scrape " had evidently rather 
 shocked the younger brother, and the elder now offered 
 his justification : 
 
 I can only assure You that it was impossible for Me 
 to behave otherwise than I did without drawing upon 
 Myself the Odium & Contempt of all the Undergraduates 
 in this University, which I shoud have esteemd worse 
 than any punishment that coud be inflicted on Me, 
 even worse than Expulsion itself, which woud then have 
 
54 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 been desireable — I know of nothing so shocking to a 
 Man of any Feeling's as the Scorn & DisHke of Men of 
 His own Class. 
 
 Richard's Christmas was passed this year at college, 
 whence, on December the 22nd, he wrote : 
 
 We pay little regard to Times & Season's except 
 being allow'd to play at Cards & drink Ale in the Hall 
 for three Days after Xmas a Favor We shant accept of. 
 
 The New Year 1774 opens with a letter, dated January 
 the 2nd, in which Richard mentions having heard from 
 " Mr. Cumberland " — i.e. the dramatist — who had 
 hinted that, on account of another family claim, outside 
 his own immediate circle, 
 
 it woud not be convenient to give Me any assistance 
 towards defraying this Year's Expences, but desired Me 
 to let Him know the Situation of My affairs & He hoped 
 to be able to do Something for Me another Time. 
 Before I answer this I shall be glad to have the opinion 
 of My Friends in town whether it woud not be better 
 to acquaint Him with the real State of My Finances 
 as to Exhibitions &c which I have lately got or expect 
 to get & that at present I have no immediate Need of 
 Assistance — for I perceive there is but little Prospect 
 of ever deriving any pecuniary Favors from the Bishop 
 or His Son, nor all things consider'd, have I any reason 
 to expect such. All I have to hope for from that Quarter 
 is the Gift of some small Benefice in Ireland at the Inter- 
 cession of Friends if the Bishop lives a few Years longer 
 & I think it will be best not to trouble them in any other 
 Way. 
 
 Among " all the things " to be " consider'd " were the 
 facts that Richard Cumberland was the father of a 
 large and expensive family, and that his relationship to 
 the heroes of this correspondence was no nearer than 
 the fourth degree. He seems to have been resolved 
 
The Cumberland Letters 55 
 
 to step in, if necessary, to save his young kinsman from 
 absolute hardship, but to have felt, not unnaturally, 
 that it was not his province to furnish any superfluities 
 whatever. He kept a kindly eye upon both brothers, 
 but seems, as far as I can judge, to have preferred the 
 society of George, whom he asked to dine with him pretty 
 frequently. George was undoubtedly good company, 
 keenly interested as he certainly was in various branches 
 of art and science, and quick-witted as he probably 
 was in conversation. There is plenty of evidence in his 
 accounts of his free time that, wherever he went, he was 
 pressed to stay and that he fell naturally into sympathy 
 with his companions for the time being. He goes to 
 see his Balchen cousins at Newington, falls into a romp 
 with them and helps to " turn the house out of window." 
 He writes letters for Mrs. Mole and performs commissions 
 for her ; he draws " shades," or, as we now call them, 
 " silhouettes," of the ladies of his acquaintance, and gives 
 them hints about their drawing and painting ; suburban 
 matrons ask him to call upon seedsmen in town for 
 them — any unoccupied persons, in short, found it the 
 easiest thing in the world to put upon the shoulders of 
 young Mr. Cumberland, whose hours of leisure were 
 always few, any bit of trifling business to which they 
 might feel themselves disinclined. 
 
 Richard was now looking forward to obtaining, while 
 still at college, and presumably while still in deacon's 
 orders, a curacy with which and his exhibitions he would 
 be able " to maintain myself comfortably in College 
 for a few Years till something better offers." His 
 annual expenses, he mentioned, amounted to about 
 eighty-six pounds. 
 
 On February the 26th, 1774, George wrote the first 
 letter to his brother that appears in this collection, which 
 
56 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 becomes thenceforward distinctly the more interesting 
 on account of his share in it. His principal theme on 
 this occasion was the death of a Miss Betsy Small, who 
 seems to have been a relative of that Mr. Smith who 
 played an important part in Richard's affairs, and to 
 have been staying in Mr. Smith's house when she died. 
 Both brothers had known her — Richard wrote of her as 
 '* that amiable Girl I was once permitted to call by the 
 endearing Name of Sister " — and both appear to have 
 been sincerely grieved by her death. The form of 
 memento desired by Richard, although perhaps trivial 
 in modern eyes, was common enough at the time. 
 
 If you can fancy any Emblem in memory of that 
 sweet Girl whose grateful Idea is all that remains of Her 
 in this World You cannot oblige me more than by exe- 
 cuting it either as a Watch Case or otherwise with room 
 for an Inscription which I will think of in the mean 
 Time. 
 
 Few readers, I imagine, have ever seen those circles 
 of silk, satin or paper that were drawn, embroidered or 
 engraved with a design — apt to include a classic female 
 figure like those on Wedgwood china — and were placed 
 between the inner and outer cases of a watch. The one 
 that is especially present to my own remembrance was 
 of white satin, and upon it was depicted a lady, resting 
 one elbow upon a pedestal or short column beneath the 
 branches of a weeping willow. Whom it was intended 
 to commemorate, and whose was the watch in which it 
 was carried I have long since forgotten, but I well 
 remember gazing at it as a child and having its purpose 
 explained to me by my grandmother. 
 
 The letter which asks for the watch-case reports an 
 exciting incident in Cambridge. " A Fellow of St 
 John's," whose name suggests a foreign origin, 
 
The Cumberland Letters 57 
 
 was last Sunday committed to the castle for Murder. 
 The Story is this : about 4 Years since being in a passion 
 with his Bedmaker He beat Him with the Butt End of 
 his Whip — the poor Lad died in 3 Days after, 
 
 and the assailant " absconded, but has now surrendered 
 to take his Tryal." 
 
 A further testimony appears to the rarity of india- 
 rubber in University circles. " Some one has stole my 
 rubber-out," says Richard, and begs to have another 
 piece sent to him. In the matter of those drawing lessons, 
 for which he had been so eager, the zeal of the learner 
 proved to be less than the energy of the teacher. A 
 letter of March the 30th observes : 
 
 I received your last kind Letter containing a Lesson 
 of Faces & wish it was in my Power to say I have profited 
 by your Instructions as I ought & to send a Specimen 
 which I cannot venture to do just now : but indeed have 
 been so much employ'd with Business for these three 
 Weeks past that I have scarce been able to take a pencil 
 in Hand. However, when I shall be under your imme- 
 diate Direction & attend to Your friendly Lectures, 
 I do not despair of making some Progress in that elegant 
 Study in which I cannot but envy Your Skill at the same 
 time that I admire it. 
 
 A letter from Mr. Gooch, in America, is peculiarly 
 interesting as being written by an Englishman established 
 in Boston during the War of Independence. 
 
 Boston Afril V^ 1774. 
 M"" George Cumberland. 
 Sir, 
 
 I had flatter'd myself of having the satis- 
 faction of Procuring a Correspondence which I have 
 indeaverd to Cultivate by omitting no opportunity 
 of writing but it seem's to be declin'd on your part, 
 as I have not been favourd with a Letter since Aug' 
 
58 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 Last, it would ever afford me the greatest satisfaction 
 to hear of the Wellfare of M^^ Gooch's Friends, and 
 their silence gives her Great uneasiness. 
 
 All is Tumult and Confusion here and the Mob 
 seem to have taken the Reins of Government, a most 
 miserable Chariotteer, and I fear Order will not be 
 Restor'd, without Bloodshed, they are in General both 
 gentle, & simple. Learning the Art Military, that it 
 is now grown unpolite, not to have that Soldierly 
 accomplishment that in all probability, we shall soon 
 be stild the Nation of Soldiers. 
 
 M" Gooch joins with me in Dutifull Regards to 
 your Mother & Love to self & Brother M'' Gooch 
 intends writing by Next opportunity in the meantime 
 I am with Respect yr most obd' 
 
 & most h^^* Servant, 
 
 Jn" Gooch. 
 
 To 
 
 M' George Cumberland, 
 
 London. 
 
 The chronological successor to this letter from Mr. 
 Gooch is one from Richard that has been misplaced in 
 the collection and that narrates the details of his return 
 to Cambridge after the Easter vacation, in which he had 
 no doubt enjoyed the opportunity of drawing under 
 George's " immediate Direction." 
 
 Eastwick 12 clock. 
 Dear George, 
 
 YouU be surprized to hear I am got no further 
 yet than 22 miles & have been out 4 Hours & a half, 
 but to tell you the truth I have not began to Travel 
 & have hitherto had the pleasantest ride I ever took — 
 111 tell you particulars if I have Time — was on Horseback 
 by -i- past 7 just as the Sun began to warm the Air — 
 canterd on to Kingsland & overtook an elderly Gent: 
 the very picture of avarice in His dress but extremely 
 well mounted, we joined Comp: S: He entertained 
 
The Cumberland Letters 59 
 
 Me as far as Stamford Hill with Storys of Highwaymen, 
 so well that I was sorry to part — reached Enfield by 
 nine, gave my Horse a Bait in the mean Time I walked 
 into the Feilds — set out gently to Waltham where I 
 fell into Conversation with a Gent travelling on a Blood 
 Horse were agreably entertaind with observing the 
 Number of Quakers on the Road going to Cheshunt meet- 
 ing. Chaises, Carts, Horse & Foot & all most neatly, some 
 elegantly Dress'd — ran a Race dropt My Hat and parted 
 — ^When I came to Hodson a thought struck Me to turn 
 off By the Rye to Hockrill a Way I once came with M*" 
 Cross & it has already made ample amends for going a 
 few Miles about I think in all My Life I never travelld 
 a more pleasant road or through a finer Country. Hills 
 — Meadows & Woods most delight^ interspirssed the 
 Banks coverd with Vilets & primroses & the Trees filled 
 with the sweetest Warblers I ever heard on either side 
 the Road — indeed it was quite enchanting & I coud not 
 forbear frequently stopping to enjoy the Scene — past 
 by M"" Blackmores elegant Seat & park & am now at 
 the Green Man in this Village drinking a Gill of Wine 
 & water whilst My Horse eats his Beans — more anon 
 
 6 clock Chesterford, 
 
 45 iti.Jrom London. 
 From Eastwick I rode thro' Hockrill to Stansted on 
 the Way met whole Legions of Turfmen from the 
 Races of all Ranks & Degrees & such a scarcity of Post 
 Horses they are obligd to borrow from the Plough 
 tackle & all, so that many of them put me in Mind of the 
 Disobligeance Francois — Did not much like the House 
 at Stansted so just baited Hobby ; drank a Glass of Wine 
 & away tho I was kindly invited to Dine on Bacon & 
 Veal by thre Gentlemen Turfmen & committed an 
 unlucky mistake by asking the Landlady if they were not 
 Graziers, but she assured me they were Gent of London 
 coming from the Races — Set off at four o clock & got 
 to this Place without meeting with any thing remarkable 
 except a Sporting Lady who complaind she Had been 
 robbed of 4 guineas by a pickpocket — Newmarket 
 
6o The Cumberland Letters 
 
 Gleanings— Have just drank a Dish of Tea at my Lord 
 Gardners for so the man of the House is called from the 
 freedom he takes with Titles— There are some excellent 
 Storys told of this Man ; as You will Hear one Day or 
 other — Hobby holds out surprizingly & the Weather is 
 excessive fine without being too Hot — so hope to sup 
 in College tho by the bye this Road is 6 miles about never 
 was less fatigued with travelling or in better Spirits — 
 shall not have time to write when I get to Camb: so 
 you will take the rest for granted — adieu (Dear George) 
 You & My dear Mother share My best Wishes— have 
 time for no more. 
 
 Camb: i past 8 o clock. 
 
 Arrived in Port safe & well. 
 
 Good night. 
 
 George, on May the 5th5 replied that he would '' have 
 liked to have rode with you . . . but should not have 
 approved of your method of going without a dinner." 
 Were no fasting involved, 
 
 Methinks I could travel over the world on foot — the 
 sweetest part of Don Quixote is ; when tired with the 
 fatigues of the day's Journey they seat themselves under 
 the shade of some spreading Cork Tree and Sancho 
 produces from his capacious Wallet some homely 
 fare. 
 
 Another of Mr. Gooch's communications was indited 
 upon May the 13th and appears at that date, although it 
 cannot have been received in England till considerably 
 later in the year. 
 
 Boston May 10,^^ 1774' 
 M^ Geo: Cumberland. 
 Sir, 
 
 My last by Cap* Brown inclosed you a Bill 
 of Exchange being the first I now Inclose the Second, 
 for your proceeding I refer you to my former letter 
 Inclosing the first Bill, all our Vessells are arrived but 
 
The Cumberland Letters 6i 
 
 M" Gooch has no Letters from her friends ; The 
 measures taken by the Ministry has thrown all into 
 Confusion the shutting up of the Ports is a proceedure 
 equally Pernistious to both Parties as the Colonies are 
 united in the Common Cause every Port will be shut 
 up on the Continent so that fleets and armies can pro- 
 duce no other effect^ than the accumulating Charges 
 the Spirit of Resenment Rises so high thro' all denomina- 
 tions that they ridicule the measures adopted to reduce 
 them and spurn at the threatened storm, and tho' the 
 measurs adopted are Big with the ruin of thousands yet 
 the Gloomy Prospect serves but to sharpen their resent- 
 ment they never will submit to Termes they think 
 unjust unless Reduced by Conquest, the Consequence 
 of which must be mutual ruin, Great Britain knows but 
 Little of America & should they proceed to hostillities 
 I'm very doubtf uU wether they would be able to say with 
 the Roman Tyrant Veni Vidi Vici the Americans are a 
 resolute hardy & I may ad an obstinate people that are 
 not to be Dragoond into Compliance with arbitrary 
 measurs, most of the Inhabitants will quit the Town and 
 retire to the Country leaving behind a subsistance for 
 the Poor mecanicks a Large fund being raised for that 
 purpose, as they are already turnd out of imploy for im- 
 mediately on the arrival of the news the ship Carpenters 
 etc dismissed all their hands The present situation is 
 very melancholy and alarming but I make no doubt of a 
 happy Conclusion as I'm firmly perswaded their will be 
 no Concessions on the part of America for the provinces 
 are determind strictly to adhere to the Union, which 
 will Infallibilly work out our political salvation and save 
 us from a Slavery more abject and scandaleous than 
 the Egyptian Bondage. 
 
 M" Gooch is in the Country with her Aunt to 
 spend some time and as soon as the Troops arrive I 
 intend to remove into the Country & their remain 
 till peace, or the Clangor of War shall urge my return 
 to either of which I'm sincerely disposed but with the 
 former if Consistent with the Liberties and interest of 
 
62 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 America. M7 best Recpects to your Mother, M" 
 Sarah Cumberland and all M^^ Goochs Friends. 
 I am with all Sincerity, 
 
 Your most obedient 
 
 & most hub'* Servant, 
 John (Gooch erased). 
 P.S. You'l Excuse this Blotted Letter as I have 
 not time to copy. 
 
 To M"^ Geo: Cumberland, 
 
 Royal Exchange Assurance Office, 
 London. 
 
 A visit from George to his brother at Cambridge 
 had long been planned and Richard's next letter is full 
 of arrangements for it. This time it evidently took 
 place, for on June the 19th Mrs. Cumberland, in the 
 hand of a person to whom writing is not easy, wrote : 
 
 My Dear, Monday June 19 1774. 
 
 After being under the greatest uneseness about 
 
 your health ever sene satterday Last : I was rcleved by 
 
 the arrival of the Post man this afternoon I was afraid 
 
 you was ill as you had a cold upon you when you set out. 
 
 I could not think of going out till I heard from you but 
 
 intend to take your kind advice and set of for Camberwell 
 
 tomorrow & jint about as much as I can, for I am very 
 
 dul without you, and long for your return I spent the 
 
 day yesterday at M'' Tapp heard of the Death of M' 
 
 Ab"™ Hankel who died on Satterday, but I amageng 
 
 you have heard of it before now I hope you will meet 
 
 your Dear Brother well & that you will have a great 
 
 deal of pleasure with him pray my Love you must excuse 
 
 this bit of cool as it is Late and as I intend to gad about 
 
 thought I wol*^ let you know I had receavd yours and was 
 
 well, shall conclude with my Blessing to my Dear Boys 
 
 and prayers for thear health & happyness and am your 
 
 affectinate Mother, -^ r^ 
 
 Lliz Cumberland. 
 
 P.S. my Compliments 
 
 to all friends. 
 
The Cumberland Letters 63 
 
 On July the i8th George wrote apologising for a long 
 silence : 
 
 Yet it has not been for want of inclination on my 
 part — but from an Inatention which has already brought 
 me into many disagreeable situations, and which I fear 
 will accompany me thro life — in short I am Idle : I have 
 never told any body this but yourself, for in you I can 
 place an intire Confidence. . . . Your Mother is better 
 in health than she has been for some time, owing I 
 believe to her having been cupped the other day it has 
 removed that swimming in her head which had troubled 
 her some time attended with a Numbness which I imagine 
 to be a little Paralitick. 
 
 " Our Aunt Cumberland " was well, was staying at 
 Abingdon, and desired a letter from Richard before she 
 came to town. 
 
 our Aunt Man I know nothing of she never calling on 
 us. I am sorry she does not know her friends, there is 
 nothing but what I would do to serve her in my 
 power but her unhappy pride, and tenatiousness will 
 never let her make a friend but perhaps she is pre- 
 vented by a certain person of whom the only good 
 news I coud send you would be that he has ceased 
 to plague Mankind. [Whether this uncomplimentary 
 description applies to one of Mrs. Cumberland's brothers, 
 for one, at least, of whom George had neither esteem 
 nor affection, or whether it is a periphrasis for Satan, 
 I am unable to determine.] Nancy (I should have 
 said Miss) has paid Mr. Tapp another visit lately, she 
 asserted so many lies before his Customers and vented 
 so much abuse, because he would not pay her beforehand, 
 that he was obliged to turn her out of doors. Our Cousins 
 at Newington are all well and Sally is going to be 
 married. 
 
 The Newington relatives were the widow and children 
 of Mrs. Cumberland's brother. Captain William Balchen ; 
 
64 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 and an affectionate intimacy existed between the juniors 
 and their Cumberland cousins. Miss Sally's bridegroom 
 was 
 
 the son of a Mr. Read— a Baker in the Burrough, he 
 has no Fortune but he is going into partnership with 
 his Uncle who is an eminent Attorney, and who 'tis said 
 will leave him the business very soon, having acquired a 
 tolerable fortune. 
 
 This young gentleman was 
 
 about 19, excessively thin, and pitted with the Small 
 pox, a Man of few words and what is remarkable in a 
 young Attorney or indeed in any profession A Modest 
 Man. 
 
 So deceptive, however, is youthful promise that this 
 modest man lived to send in to the Cumberlands a bill 
 for professional services which George stigmatised as 
 exorbitant. 
 
 I went with them all the other night to Vauxhall 
 for the first time this Season we staid till Eleven o 
 Clock and the lover proposed a Supper but a Young 
 lady in company an Acquaintance of Cousins insisted 
 on going home ; it cost me 3/. 
 
 Mr. Smith having requested George to " lay in his 
 house " during the family's absence, the latter reports 
 that " that worthy man has always been imposed ori 
 by his servants." The first three nights of George's 
 guardianship were marked by the sojourn of three dif- 
 ferent strangers. " This I took notice of and have not 
 seen any one since." 
 
 From a marriage the letter diverges to a death ; 
 Mr. Ekins had lost his mother, who was 
 
 near 90 years of age and retained her faculties to the 
 last. ... I believe her Joynter is a pretty good one : 
 I must not omit to tell you that I have got a new Master, 
 a Mr. Lucas, a young Clergyman of Lincoln Coll; 
 
The Cumberland Letters 65 
 
 Oxford, who is going abroad for 6 or 7 Years he called on 
 me to pay some ground Rent and asked if I could recom- 
 mend him to any one to take care of his Estate wile he 
 is gone (the rest of course) : it is three houses One of 
 ^105 p ann. and 2 others of ^30 so that my profits will 
 be about ^6 which will buy me a Suit of Cloths. 
 
 In walking over Blackfriars Bridge the other day, 
 I saw the machine to go without horses and worked it 
 round the garden several times Myself, it is really an 
 ingenious contrivance and much simpler than I conceived 
 it to be, I wish I had time to sketch you the plan of it. 
 
 This wish George's readers may well echo, since this 
 " machine " was probably a direct ancestor of the bicycle. 
 Instead of its portrait he sent that of 
 
 a great curiosity shewn me by a Mr. Serocold one of 
 our Directors & a West India Mercht. tis the Vegetable 
 fly he had two of them in a Box, and desired me to make 
 him a drawing of one that he might shew what the Insect 
 was without opening the Box. — This fly is found in the 
 West Indies only at a certain age it burys (or sets itself if I 
 may use the Expression) in the Ground and there grows 
 out of its Breast a little blue Flower, what this flower 
 turns to is not I believe known as when they are found 
 they been generally taken up immediately being great 
 rarities, there is one of them in the Museum. 
 
 George's sketch of this remarkable creature fails to 
 inspire confidence, since he plainly represents it as a 
 biped. From beneath what, in a human being, would 
 be the chin grows a curved proboscis ending in a sort of 
 knob, and a note explains that this knob is " the pod of 
 the flower." I commend these surprising statements to 
 enquiring naturalists. 
 
 Mr. Lucas did not go abroad, and probably never 
 intended to do so ; he remained for at least a year 
 in a remote part of Cornwall, and did not give his exact 
 
 £ 
 
66 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 address even to George, his agent, whom he constantly 
 requested to conceal his whereabouts. Not impossibly 
 he had creditors. At a later period he was a Navy chap- 
 lain, and apparently prosperous. He retained a grateful 
 sense of George's business-like and friendly dealings, 
 and continued to write to him for many years. The 
 rather mysterious reference to ground rents is to be 
 explained, most likely, by the fact that George was 
 employed both by Mr. Cross and Mr. Long — whom 
 I believe to have been Mr. Cross's brother-in-law — to 
 collect ground rents for them. 
 
 In a large, sprawling, but perfectly legible hand Mr. 
 Thomas Smith, at whose London house, it may be 
 remembered, George was spending his nights, wrote, 
 on " August ye 3rd," from Buscot to " Mr. George 
 Cumberland, at Mr. Thos Smith's, No i Suffolk Lane, 
 Cannon Street, London." He had " this Instant re- 
 ceived Your Brother's Letter." 
 
 It will give both me & my Wife great Pleasure [ ] 
 Him at ye Hill, as my Mother has often expressd a desire 
 of seeing You all at Oxford. . . . You may let Him 
 know I shall take no Denial. 
 
 The house numbered i Suffolk Lane is probably that 
 of which George took charge, but seems to have under- 
 gone alterations ; it still possesses an attractive curved 
 flight of steps to its door. 
 
 Once more an interval, corresponding to a vacation, 
 breaks the thread of the letters. On October the 2nd 
 Richard was back at College. 
 
 Dear George, Cambridge 2 Ocf 1774. 
 
 Notwithstanding the little prospect of it when 
 I set out I have had an exceeding pleasant Journey 
 hither. The morning proved wonderfully fine & the 
 bad Weather wh. has predominated these three weeks 
 
The Cumberland Letters 67 
 
 seemed to be at an end. I walked as far as Kingsland 
 the Coach being full & then rode outside to Ware when 
 a storm of Rain falling I jumped into a returnd Chaise 
 wh. very luckily overtook me at that moment & was 
 conveyd to Barkway like an Emperor — The Weather 
 still continuing show'ry I was considering wether I had 
 better stay all night or proceed on the Top at the hazard 
 of getting Cold when my good Genius appear'd in the 
 form of M' Smith a fellow of Mag: returning to College 
 after a Western Tour. He shook me by the Hand & 
 kindly offerd me a seat in His Wiskey to wh. he was en- 
 deavoring to add another Horse to spare His own with 
 much difficulty, at length we made a Tandem (for the 
 Horses were all taken up in carrying expresses & the 
 Hostler gave himself airs of consequence on acct. of 
 having a vote for the County) & were in College before 
 7 o clock — so much for my peregrination — 
 
 Have had so many people calling on me this morn & 
 have so deeply engaged my self this afternoon that I 
 coud only spare half an hour to write to you & half 
 sheet of paper you'll say — but indeed I did not think to 
 have half filled it when I began — cannot send any other 
 news than that I am much as I was when I left you 
 I hope you are a great deal better — remember me to 
 mother & all Friends & 
 
 beleive me ever yours, 
 
 R. D. Cumberland. 
 
 N.B. The Pocket Book was among 
 my cloaths. 
 
 To M"" Geo: Cumberland, 
 
 Exchange Assurance, 
 London. 
 
 On the loth Richard wrote to describe the hubbub 
 of the Cambridge election. Among the throng that 
 filled the Senate House on this occasion was Omiah — 
 a prince, if I remember right, from the Sandwich 
 Islands — of whom our young gentleman evidently took 
 careful note : 
 
68 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 He is a stout well made Fellow ; in Features & 
 Complection something betwixt the Negro & Indian ; 
 was dress'd in a plain Suit with His Hair in the modern 
 Style seemd to talk & laugh much tho I was not near 
 enough to hear Him & in short gave great Satisfaction 
 to all about Him. A re[pl7 he] made to one who offer'd 
 Snuff was very good — '' No tank You, Sir, Me Nose be 
 no Hungry." 
 
 Richard announced the despatch o£ " a Barrel of 
 Oysters for You & My Mother," and begged that they 
 would 
 
 not send them any further for a particular Reason. 
 Have sent likewise some Volumes of Humes Hist of 
 Eng: wh. beg You will convey directly to the Ladies at 
 Newington (with my kind Love & Comp*^) for their 
 perusal and afterwards read them Yourself, when You 
 have nearly finished these will send the others. 
 
 George, replying on the i8th of the same month, 
 remarked succinctly of the elections in London, that 
 " Riot disorder & confusion prevailed," that he had 
 " sent two or three Squibbs to the papers," and that 
 " on Friday H.M." (probably his cousin, Harry Man) 
 " and my self where busily employd at the hazard of 
 a broken head, in sticking up Bills which we had printed 
 again's the King of the City." 
 
 Ten days later the elder brother congratulated the 
 younger upon his appearance in print. 
 
 What tho' by your own Confession it was but in the 
 form of a Squib ; yet. Courage mon Frere, who knows 
 to what a height Your literary Fame may one day be 
 exalted ! Who can tell but with a httle practise You may 
 be able to write Treason with the Pen of a Junius, or 
 what is a greater Degree of Glory be wispered for Junius 
 Himself ? 
 
 " To be serious," however, Richard had 
 
The Cumberland Letters 69 
 
 too great a value for You, My dear Brother, to wish 
 to see You attempt shining in the laborious and un- 
 profitable Sphere of an Author. 
 
 Not, of course, that the ability of George was doubtful, 
 
 but Nature has kindly pointed out to Your pursuit 
 a Study far more pleasing and genteel than that of a 
 Writer — has taught You to copy (and convey to the 
 Mind a Description of Her) Beauties ; not by the vague 
 and uncertain Medium of Words wh. are liable to have a 
 false or doubtful Construction put on them, and besides 
 do not always convey the Idea they are put for, but 
 by a much more sure and likely Method, which is not 
 like a Language confined to the Use of one Nation, but 
 readily and with Ease understood by all Mankind. Both 
 the Learned and the Vulgar are struck with astonishment 
 and delight upon Viewing the Works of a good Painter, 
 while a Poem, the more sublime and excellent it is, the 
 less universally it is admired and understood I wish 
 when you have any Leisure You would oblige me with a 
 neat Etching of our Coat of Arms and Name below k. 
 The same Plate might serve both of us by only changing 
 the Christian Name or initial Letters & I woud have a 
 hundred or two Struck of to put in my Books. 
 
 This commission George executed, and his sketch — 
 less " neat " than an engraver might desire — still exists 
 in a scrap-book belonging to Richard's descendants. 
 
 A piece of a letter, the rest of which has been cut 
 off, requests George to send 
 
 a few good Quills about i a Hundred or so no matter 
 of what sort, they will be very acceptable for I can meet 
 with none here worth the cutting. 
 
 In spite of this complaint, however, Richard's writing 
 was at this time far better than it had been two or three 
 years earlier, or than it became at a later period. Cam- 
 bridge would appear to have been ill-supplied with good 
 
70 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 shops of any kind. Richard, who, as a young man, was 
 not strong, and who was always extremely careful of 
 his health, asked, in the same letter, for a supply of 
 various " medecines." " I hope there is no immediate 
 occasion for them," but he did not " chuse to trouble the 
 Apothecary " at every trifling ailment, 
 
 and as for sending to the Chemist. We have but one, 
 and He always charges exactly double the London price 
 for the most infamous Medicines that were ever vended 
 on a Mountebank's Stage so You may observe it is only 
 a little frugal Scheme of mine. 
 
 The " Steward of Magdalen " was almost as exorbitant 
 in his charges as the sole chemist of Cambridge, and 
 Richard waxed righteously indignant : 
 
 He has charged Me no less than two pounds more in 
 my last Bill, tho I resided but one Month than in that 
 for the Quarter before when I resided there. . . . The 
 Steward's Bill is a Mystery here as great as that of free 
 Masonry — no one except Himself knowing of what 
 Articles it is made up except the Sum total. 
 
 Richard made an appeal to his tutor in regard to this 
 supposed error of calculation, but its result does not 
 appear. 
 
 On November the nth or 12th the heart of the Mag- 
 dalen student must have been rejoiced by the receipt of 
 the following communication : 
 
 Friday night Nov 10 : 1774. 
 By the immortal Soul of my Grandfather I am 
 more than happy ! — I have such news for you my dear 
 boy as you have not heard this many a day ! news that 
 I wish I was able to deliver in person, nay, I have a great 
 mind to take a ride to see you to Night — however I 
 have the happiness of being the first to inform you of 
 it, let that suffice. Now to the news it self. — M' Smith 
 sent for me to day to dine with him, after dinner I was 
 
The Cumberland Letters 71 
 
 shewn a Letter from the Vicar Bray^ in which he says 
 he is presented to a Living worth ;^200 p. ann ; and is 
 ready to resign his when ever M' Smith thinks proper, 
 in your favor ^ that i£ M' Smith pleases he will retain it 
 till you take orders, as he has the Tutorship of two 
 Young Noblemen who live in the neighborhood of the 
 Parsonage, — the account of the living is this. — M'' 
 Smiths Father gave him the living to hold for his Son, — 
 he died, and Doctor Bray succeeded to the Livings, and 
 could now hold them with this other but that he thinks 
 it a point of honor to resign, — ^he says in his Letter, 
 ' if the young man will remove to this University I will 
 give him every assistance in my power ' — the short of 
 the matter is this, — M'' Smith desired me to tell you that 
 the two Livings are ready for you as soon as you can take 
 them — ^the parsonage house is in compleat order, and the 
 Livings produce about ;£i35 p. ann; — after dinner we 
 drank success to you, and wished it I make no doubt ; 
 adieu ma chere Frere. 
 
 all the good wishes of my Heart 
 attend this epistle, 
 
 G. Cumberland. 
 
 P.S. Mother is at M^ Longs but shall be informed 
 of this presently ; I have sent the Rum by Salmon's 
 Wag. of Wednesday — it comes to 19/- the cash 1/2 
 if you have a mind to send it back they will return the 
 money the coat of arms is in hand, — I hardly have time 
 to read what I have writ but would not delay a moment 
 to inform you of it after ... 
 
 George's pen, misled, no doubt, by habit, has in this 
 postscript substituted " cash " for " cask." 
 The next two letters need no preamble. 
 
 I give you a thousand Thanks (My dear Brother) 
 for your kind Letter, containing News of the most 
 happy Evant, that has ever yet befallen Me ; and for the 
 generous and (I am very sure) sincere Satisfaction that 
 you express upon this, and have done upon every other 
 occasion in which my Happiness has been concernd, 
 
72 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 You may in some Measure Judge of the pleasure your 
 Information gave me from that you yourself conceivd at 
 hearing it. I was indeed so sensibly affected with the Sense 
 of M' Smiths Kindness to Me, and my own good For- 
 tune, which was quite unexpected that upon reading your 
 Letter (to you I may venture to confess My Weakness) 
 for the first Time in my Life I shed Tears of Joy : but 
 perhaps that was owing to the want of such a Friend 
 as yourself, to whom I might communicate My Satis- 
 faction and unburthen My Mind. But these sensations 
 are much easier felt than described, therefore laying 
 aside the attempt I will acquaint you with my present 
 Situation as to taking a Degree or going into Orders, 
 that you may be able to inform my Friends who may give 
 themselves the trouble to inquire about it — 
 
 Out of 12 Terms requisite for a Degree in arts I 
 have resided lo, and may take my Bachelors Degree, 
 the latter end of April or beginning of May next, and 
 three years after that a Master of Arts Degree, without 
 any Residence. In June next I may get into Deacons 
 Orders and serve a Curacy, but cannot be ordain'd 
 Priest till four and twenty of which, you know I want 
 above two years, and then and not before may hold two 
 Livings, if they are consolidated ; otherwise must be 
 Master of Arts and have a Chaplains Scarf besides 
 tho I imagine the Livings in question are consolidated 
 or the Doctor could not hold them together with a third 
 as it seems He may. But tho it must be at least two 
 years before I can begin to enjoy any Emoluments from 
 them, yet their being held for me in commendum, 
 the mean while, will be of no trifling advantage, as it 
 gives Me a kind of nominal Independency, oftentimes 
 of great use in the World, for with some People the man 
 who wants nothing may have anything ; and makes me 
 easy with regard to my Expectations in Ireland, about 
 which I began to be very anxious ; for, not to mention 
 that one ought not to lay too much stress on a Great 
 Mans Promise, a Gentleman was here the other Day 
 from Kilmore, who mentiond that the Bishop was ill 
 
The Cumberland Letters 73 
 
 of a Dropsy I told this to M' Purkis, and he advised me 
 to proceed to a Degree as soon as possible, and promised, , 
 when it was proper, He woud write to the Bishop in ^ 
 my Favor. Shoud I be sent for to Ireland next Summer, 
 I shall go over on a much more eligible footing than I 
 cou'd before, But am very easy about it at present. 
 
 D"^ Bray has behaved so very genteelly in this 
 affair by offering to resign, when He might still retain 
 the Living, that I imagine M'' Smith will accept His 
 proposal of holding it for me, since it will save the 
 Expence of an Institution and after what He has done 
 it woud be impossible to doubt His Honor, I did not 
 mention any thing of this to M' Smith in My Letter, 
 because nobody can know better than himself what is 
 proper to be done in this case, and it woud have appeard 
 too presuming in one so highly obliged as myself to 
 attempt to bias His Inclination by any means whatever, 
 but wish to know how it is determined — This Event, 
 tho it has highly improved My prospect in Life, will 
 not, I take it, alter the Plan laid down for me to pursue 
 as to taking a Degree or Orders for tho' the D" offer 
 of assisting me, if I will remove to Oxford is a very 
 kind one, yet I fear it is too late for Me to think of 
 leaving this University, when so near taking a Degree 
 in it. But of this may consider more — I have my 
 Hands full of Business at present, having to dispute 
 in the Hall and Declaim in Chappie this Week, but am 
 in such [ ] that nothing can come amiss to 
 
 me just now. I shall get a Letter from you by to morrows 
 post. Pray make My Duty to my dear Mother to 
 whom I will write at the first Leisure I am obligd to 
 conclude being interrupted, and can only assure you 
 of the Sincere Love and affection of (Dear Broth), 
 
 Your ever faithful Friend, 
 
 R. D. Cumberland. 
 
 11^^ Nov"" 1774. 
 
 By the carelessness of the Bedmaker the above was 
 not sent last Night, as intended. I have therefore 
 broke it open to acquaint you I have reced yours and 
 
74 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 thank you for it. The little Box came safe and all the 
 articles were right — Send to Salmons Waggon on Thurs- 
 day next for a Barrel. Excuse my saying more for 
 want of room. 
 
 To M^ Geo: Cumberland, 
 
 Exchange Assurance, 
 London. 
 
 Monday 14 Nov: 1774. 
 
 What a lucky fellow are you ! — I dont mean in 
 getting your Livings so soon ; but in being so well 
 able to express your sentiments of gratitude upon the 
 occasion ; I profess to you I hold it a most singular 
 happiness, to be able to acquit ones self in these situations 
 with so much propriety. — I declare it requires a presence 
 of mind — but I am drawing conclusions from my 
 stupidity — I have this moment come from Suffolk 
 Lane ; your letter arrived after dinner, it was handed 
 to me to read, I need not say it was universally approved 
 when I tell you, you had so feelingly expressed your 
 thanks, that it was with some difficulty I got through 
 it, I have just left them full of your praises, and will 
 now answer your letter which I have just received, you 
 say you expected a Letter by Sundays post, you would 
 have had one, had I gained any new intelligence, there 
 are some questions which we might be glad to know, but 
 which are not so proper to ask M"" Smith, and M'^ Tapp 
 is sent for express to Mr. Clavey, who is by this time in all 
 probability Dead : however, he told me after dinner to 
 day that he had wrote to D"" Bray, to desire him to keep 
 the Livings for you, and hinted as the house is well 
 Furnished if he can spare the Furniture, or any part of 
 it, he should be glad to have it left behind him, what 
 you mention about serving the curacy I shall hint at if 
 convenient but imagine the Doctor means to hold it, 
 till you can take the whole into your hands. — all your 
 Friends here think you can take Priests Orders as soon 
 as turnd of Three & Twenty : when you come to Town 
 at Christmas, these affairs may be talked over, and 
 
The Cumberland Letters 75 
 
 perhaps it will be better then to pay a visit to the Rector 
 yourself, but would not have you, think of coming to 
 Town before your usual time, as it is by no means neces- 
 sary. Well, this affair settled, let me wish you much 
 joy, you are now set above want, so long as you live, will 
 be a respectable caracter in Life, and are under no re- 
 straint if you should choose to marry ; I doubt wether 
 there is a Fellow in Cambridge who would not wish . . . 
 
 Certain financial statements in George's postscript 
 of November the loth refer to a consignment of rum, 
 which Richard had ordered, and to the price of the barrel, 
 which would be refunded upon its return. The rum, 
 I hasten to add, was to be shared with a friend. Ap- 
 parently spirits, like drugs, were inferior in Cambridge. 
 The history of this transaction was not yet concluded, 
 for on November the 24th (he dates the 25th, but the 
 postmark remains to confute him) Richard wrote a letter 
 containing this melancholy paragraph : 
 
 As to the Barrel or Rum Cag just as You please to 
 call it. I sent it by Salmons Teusdays Waggon directed 
 to You to be left till called for. And by way of Ballast 
 threw in a few Oysters, a Musick Book and a Line for 
 my Mother, it is certainly at the Inn, and as surely the 
 Oysters are spoil' d by this Time — so pray throw them all 
 in the Kennel and return the Cag. However, by the by, 
 You may first try an Experiment with them, open one 
 of them in a*^ dark place and it will, most probably, seem 
 all on Fire — this you may easily account for, if you have 
 read Chesterfield's Letters. 
 
 The next letter or two made arrangements for one of 
 those meetings between London and Cambridge, of 
 which the brothers were fond. On Saturday, December 
 the 3rd, Richard was to ride and George was to " coach 
 it " to Hertford, where they were to sleep and remain 
 together until after an early dinner on Sunday. That 
 
76 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 the scheme was carried out is shown by George's account 
 of his return journey and of the prosings of his fellow- 
 passengers. 
 
 An undated and extremely agitated letter from George 
 is placed at this point in the collection, but belongs, I 
 beheve, later. It reveals him very much dissatisfied 
 with himself and very desirous of " being blessed with 
 the regard of an amiable female." What lady was in 
 his mind is not revealed, but it is plain that he was at 
 the time of writing warmly in love. 
 
 Upon George's daily occupations some light is thrown 
 by a statement in a letter to Mr. Gooch, that he was 
 
 employ'd at a public Office from 9 in the morn, till 
 7 at night, and after that in the collection of ground 
 rents from about 200 different people. 
 
 Yet, with the remarkable energy that distinguished 
 him, he contrived to read much, to draw and paint, 
 to make experiments — optical and chemical — and to 
 write " squibbs " and paragraphs for the newspapers — 
 to say nothing of the commissions which he was always 
 undertaking for his brother and for other people. It is 
 not strange that at times he was overwrought, irritable, 
 or weighed down by depression of spirits. 
 
 It seems, however, to have been his characteristically 
 English habit to reserve his melancholy for private 
 consumption, and it shows itself in his letters chiefly 
 as a reason assigned for having kept silence. He was 
 at all times rather an impulsive than a regular corre- 
 spondent, and defends his practice on various occasions, 
 for example in the following letter : 
 
 Mar, jth 1775. 
 Dear Richard, 
 
 I think it is a prodigious wile since you have 
 received a decent Line from me, the last was put up in 
 
The Cumberland Letters 77 
 
 such a Hurry that if you read it as fast as I wrote it, 
 you did me but Justice ; but I have a better opinion of 
 you than to beheve you are actuated with the fury of 
 that Virtue unalayed with mercy. I am the better 
 sattisfied you are possessed of a true Christian spirit 
 from having received two letters since without a word of 
 Reproach — there is more Friendship perhaps in this 
 circumstamce than you are aware of : — I assure you 
 I feel a sort of [sort of] satisfaction when my friend is 
 guilty of inattention to me, because if he is my friend, 
 he must be employed about something very pleasing to 
 him, & friendship cannot bear the thoughts of con- 
 straint, which is the reason so few kindred are real 
 friends ; — but I hope we are and ever shall be an excep- 
 tion to that received opinion ; I could run on to the 
 end of the Chapter ; now this is my fault I can hardly 
 write a letter without making a preface — but I shall not 
 make an excuse for it to you, for sooner then not write 
 as my mind dictates I will not write at all ; every man 
 is not alike happy in a mode of expressing his thoughts, 
 if I was to attempt to form a Style, I should always be 
 dry ; — now sometimes it so happens a man writes well 
 by taking no pains at all : — If I am a Hottentot, let me 
 appear like One. It would be a weak attempt to think 
 of keeping off the Rain with Brown Paper it is equally 
 weak to conceal ones defects from a friend by shallow 
 contrivances such, would be My attempting a Style in 
 writing to you I should run into Verbosity — but why 
 so much of my self ? — for the same reason I would tell 
 a Physician my Constitution : — I hope one day to know 
 by your assistance what I am. One thing I must mention 
 wile I think of it, in your late Epistles you continue 
 thanking me as you have always done, for every trifling 
 Commission I execute ; now I insist in future on having 
 no more of them ; if you do I shall suppose you give 
 them in payment & shall think I have no claim to recip- 
 rocal Services ; wile I write this I expect every moment 
 to be called to see an Execution, which is to be per- 
 formed before the Exchange gate — viz. the Burning 
 
78 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 of the two Crisis's by an Order of Both Houses, one of 
 these, the Periodical Paper published in the Strand, I 
 have read ; it is a Composition of the most iUiberal & 
 scandalous, abuse on the Person of his Majesty & Minis- 
 ters, tho you have in all Probability seen it at Cambridge, 
 as these sort of papers are generally pretty well difused ; 
 I am really sorry to say I know some people (for nobody 
 attempts to defend it) who betray a disapointment at 
 its fate & who I believe wish it might have been Circulated 
 every were. I have always taken our modern patriots 
 (except a few) for men only imposed upon — but now I 
 have conceived a much worse opinion of their Patriotism 
 
 as they term it. 
 
 I have just returned from viewing this Ceremony 
 of burning — About 12 o Clock a number of people to 
 the amount I s[ Jose of 5000 assembled in Cornhill 
 in about half an [ ] a body of about 50 Constables 
 
 placed themselves [ ]fore the Exchange Gate 
 
 and soon after a man was [ ] into the Croud with 
 
 a bundle of faggots on his head, as Soon as he arrived 
 at the destined place the Mob set on him & by dint of 
 blows obliged him to relinquish his load, they now 
 carried them into the Exchange were they flew in a 
 Variety of directions, to the great amusement of this 
 respectable Society, at last about 4 or 5 were collected 
 by the Assistance of the City Marischal Mr Gates who 
 arrived on horseback, and by whose Dexterity & Resolu- 
 tion, a Ring was at last formed they now produced their 
 dead dogs & Cats, and among the rest an old pair of 
 leather Breeches, which after having been well soaked in 
 Channel water stuck pretty close to many of their Chops ; 
 this divertion lasted for about a Quarter of an hour longer 
 when the Sherrifs made their apearance preceeded by 
 the Common hangman with a lighted Torch & a rein- 
 forcement of faggots they were on foot, which I think 
 was very prudent, and passed through the Croud without 
 insult but now a fresh uproar began the ring lined with 
 a treble row of Peace Officers was once more broken & 
 all mingled indiscriminately the Head Constable rode 
 
The Cumberland Letters 79 
 
 among them and by dint o£ blows which he dealt pretty 
 thick about him formed the lines again, but so con- 
 tracted, it was utterly unsafe to set fire to the Bavins 
 lest the Sherrif should be consumed with the papers ; 
 however repeated blows which will in time make the 
 hardest sculls give way opened a small passage, when 
 they received the reward all Traytors ought to receive. 
 — ^The Mob diverted themselves with the remains of 
 the fuel for near half an hour & many were the good 
 Coats & Waistcoats Spoiled — but this minute I hear a 
 man has had the daring effrontery to read the paper 
 aloud on Change but the City Marshall is after him & 
 I hope he will be made an example of. — ^we do not want 
 in this office [i.e. are not without] men who call this 
 Spirit. I would not have you think I rank Mr. E [ ] 
 among them — who detests all Licentiousness. 
 
 I have filled a sheet of paper without mentioning 
 one word I intended when I set out therefore you may 
 expect another soon. I have only time to say all your 
 Friends here approve intirely of your conduct with 
 regard to the Curacy [the correspondence does not 
 supply information as to what Richard's conduct had 
 been] & that our mother is well. Adieu, Dieu vous 
 Benir. 
 
 G. Cumberland. 
 
 P.S. You want Osterwald not Scougal as you men- 
 tioned in your last in a mistake I take it. 
 
 Mr. Cumberland, 
 
 Magdalen College, 
 
 Cambridge. 
 
 Time has stolen most of the interest from the com- 
 munications that went this spring between Cambridge 
 and London, and that dealt mainly with the securing 
 of a curacy for Richard and the purchase of clerical 
 garments for his use. Early in April George wrote a 
 long letter of gossip, one paragraph of which runs 
 thus : 
 
8o The Cumberland Letters 
 
 Our Tenant at Mile End has thought proper to 
 decamp without beat of Drum, however he has paid 
 his Rent, & it is Lett again to a Neighbour for Four 
 Years certain ; we had very near Lett it to a Swindler, 
 but for Captain Kent who knew him. 
 
 Proceeding with the general news of Mile End, he 
 mentioned that a lady whom we will call Mrs. B., 
 
 who hved next door but one, is now in Newgate ; after 
 having for some years kept 3 Servants at the expence of 
 the Credulous part of Mankind. 
 
 Whether Mrs. B. practised fortune-telling, or whether 
 the credulous persons were those who lent her money, 
 I cannot tell. Another neighbour, '' Miss G that was^ 
 keeps a Brandy shop in some part of the road." George 
 has spent an evening at Newington with the Balchens, 
 " they were never better in their lives, & we turned the 
 house out at Window." 
 
 Richard, who had reached the age of twenty-three in 
 the previous December, was, towards the end of April, 
 hoping to be ordained in about six weeks' time, and at 
 Cambridge, " which will be very convenient to me if 
 I can get a Title & Test'^ " (i.e. testimonials). Mr. 
 Ekins, frequently mentioned as the official superior of 
 George, had a brother who was incumbent of Pebsmarsh 
 and was disposed to receive Richard as a curate. The 
 young man set out one Sunday in May to pay this gentle- 
 man a visit, but lingered so much upon the way that he 
 did not arrive until the evening. Passing through 
 Linton, he was ^' detain'd " to breakfast by a friend, 
 whose name, as far as it can be deciphered, seems to have 
 been Longmire. At Haverhill he happened to recollect 
 that " Ch. Brown " lived at that place. 
 
 I called (while my Horse baited) to know if He was 
 down & When I found He was He was not there, woud 
 
George Cumberland 
 
 Aged 19 
 
The Cumberland Letters 8i 
 
 have returnd to the Inn, but His Father & Mother gave 
 Me so warm an Invitation to stay Dinner with them, 
 and then there was a Sister o£ His, a Fine Girl about 
 Eighteen, came in and determined me to accept it so 
 that it was late in the Afternoon before I got away. . . . 
 I found Mr. Ekins at Home, and met with the most 
 genteel and friendly Reception that You can possibly 
 conceive, ' 
 
 After breakfast the next morning, for the visitor 
 stayed all night, Mr. Ekins 
 
 signed an Instrument appointing Me His Curate, which 
 is a Favor of such a Nature that had I known the 
 full Extent of it sooner I shoud never have had the 
 confidence to have asked. ... I have not Time to give 
 You a Description of Mr. Ekins Situation any Further 
 than that He Lives in the most pleasant and elegant 
 Parsonage I anywhere remember to have seen, and in 
 a Country so much superior to that I came out of that 
 I began to think Myself in Paradise." 
 
 On his return, late on Monday evening, to Cambridge 
 Richard found " the Parcel on My Table," which parcel 
 contained, if I rightly interpret the recipient's comments, 
 a tragedy in manuscript and some copies of a printed 
 satire, both being the work of George. " I will try," 
 wrote Richard, 
 
 to get them off among my Friends here who unluckily 
 have but little Taste for things of the kind and will 
 subscribe to it at the coffee Room. Without Flattery 
 (My dear Brother) I shall be proud of shewing Your 
 first Publications to every body I know. 
 
 A certificate of age being required, George was re- 
 quested to obtain this at the cost of a shilling, " from the 
 Minister at Bethnal Green," and no doubt made the 
 little pilgrimage, in which I have followed him, to 
 Bethnal Green Church, and saw there the entry of his 
 
82 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 brother's baptism and the marginal record in which is 
 noted each infant's tale of days. Richard Dennison 
 Cumberland, as his junior remarked, was not christened 
 until he was thirty days old. 
 
 The next letter preserved is one from Mr. Lucas, 
 whose ground rents George collected, and who desired 
 his agent to enquire at a certain coffee-house for a 
 letter for him said to be lying there, and to forward it 
 to him in his Cornish retreat. 
 
 I will conclude with reminding you of the Promise 
 which you were kind enough to make me, viz: that, 
 whatever were the Pretence^ you would carefully conceal 
 from every Inquirer the Place of my Residence. 
 
 Richard's affairs were now progressing very much to 
 his satisfaction. The necessary preliminaries were all 
 happily adjusted, and he was to be ordained, as he had 
 hoped, at Cambridge on Trinity Sunday. Meanwhile, 
 
 Make my Compliments to Mr. Ekins and tell Him I 
 have begun to follow His advice as to practising in My 
 Room, which is happily situated for that purpose, 
 being not unlike a Church, and out of Reach of hearing. 
 
 On June the nth, however, he was feeling disturbed 
 at not hearing from home, and was moved to 
 
 lay by my Concordance and beg the favor of a Line 
 from You just to satisfy Me You are all well. I wrote 
 to My Mother on Sunday Night to acquaint Her the 
 Business of ordination was over. 
 
 He had been having one of those bad colds of which 
 in his younger days he so often makes mention : 
 
 but thank God it is going off, and I hope by Sunday 
 to be well enough to do duty at Pebsmarsh. 
 
 He sent his " best Respects " to various friends, and 
 begged George to tell Mr. Smith that 
 
The Cumberland Letters 83 
 
 I hope soon to have the honor of sitting at the Bottom 
 o£ His Table In quality of Chaplain. 
 
 George, replying on the iSth, after explaining the 
 reasons that had kept him from writing, announced that 
 the contents of Richard's letter to Mrs. Cumberland 
 had remained unknown to him, she being away on a visit 
 and not expected home until the coming Wednesday. 
 
 You may call me an odd fellow, but tho I knew she 
 could have no objections, tho I knew it came from you 
 — supposed it containe[d] welcome news — whished to 
 hear that news — and to have a line — yet I would not 
 have opened it for the Indies ; so inviolable do I hold a 
 sealed correspondence — if a Letter fell into my hands 
 which I supposed was meant to injure me — I would not 
 hold it up to a Candle. 
 
 He mentions in the same letter that John Man is 
 " at last " married, and that his " father has given him 
 half his school," a statement that is somewhat confusing, 
 in view of the fact that not many years later George 
 was applying to this same John for a legal declaration that 
 he had not seen or heard from his father for seven 
 years. The explanation probably is that George, like 
 most of his contemporaries, often failed to make any 
 distinction between relation by blood and relation by 
 marriage, and that the " father " here mentioned was 
 the parent of Mrs. John Man. 
 
 An opportunity presenting itself of sending a letter 
 free of charge, George wrote, on July the 3rd, to beg 
 that his brother 
 
 should never see any thing curious without letting 
 me know of it : either House, Church, View, medal, 
 coin, inscription, vegetable, insect or any thing that 
 relates to Antiquities &c. 
 
84 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 On his own part : 
 
 I will tell you of a curiosity I saw yesterday, it was 
 at Gordons the Seedsman, he has lately had sent him 
 two Beetles (of about the size of our Black ones) from 
 the Brazils, their proper names is the Cruculus Im- 
 perialis, but he knows nothing of their history, apropos 
 if you have any body amongst you learned in this Way 
 be so good as to inquire into it a little, they are contained 
 in a tin Box lined with Black Velvet and appear like 
 stripes of emerald Rubies & Diamonds on Black Velvet, 
 the smaller is like spots of diamonds which dazzle the 
 Eyes if the Sun shines. 
 
 . . . T. Cotton is well & I believe succeeds. 
 
 On July the 25th Richard sent a most cheerful 
 report of his curacy : 
 
 You cannot conceive how much delighted I am 
 with My Curacy. I was there for the first time, last 
 Sunday, and met with a very genteel Reception from 
 the Squire — I have not Time now to tell You particulars, 
 but will only say in general that I have the Use of His 
 Coach to Church, having put My Horse into his Stables 
 — say Grace at His Table, and as we always do the whole 
 Duty before Dinner, have Leisure to drink a Glass of 
 excellent Wine with the old Gent^ and Tea with the 
 Ladies before I return, which makes it very agree- 
 able. 
 
 The affairs of George also were at this time taking 
 a turn. On August the ist he wrote a letter, undated, 
 upon which he has at some later period noted in pencil 
 " about Augst 1775." By turning over the sheet, he 
 might have observed an unusually distinct postmark of 
 " AU. I." Two letters not preserved must have passed 
 between the brothers, one from the younger giving 
 particulars of a vacancy in the office of the Royal Ex- 
 change Assurance Company, and of his inclination to 
 apply for the post ; another from the elder advising 
 
The Cumberland Letters 85 
 
 that the application should be made. Now George was 
 writing for the second time about this matter. 
 
 ' At first in the warmth of my gratitude to M^ 
 Ekins who proposed it, I would have given up every- 
 thing advantageous, sooner than part with such a Man ; 
 and my heart suggested to Me I ought to sacrifice every- 
 thing, to pay him a Comp* and give him an instance of 
 that gratitude — I am ashamed to own My weakness 
 but I narrowly escaped bursting into Tears on the 
 Occasion — ^however a moments cool consideration, con- 
 vinced me of the propriety of embracing this offer. 
 
 He had since been engaged in calling upon the various 
 officials of the company, but, although so busy on his 
 own behalf, his active mind had at the same time taken 
 up another interest, in which he was anxious to secure 
 his brother's sympathy. 
 
 I wish you could make a Charity sermon, and collect 
 some Money, for the Society lately established to 
 recover dround Persons — never any publick Charity so 
 recommended itself to me. 
 
 On August the loth the great event had been 
 decided, and George wrote to announce the result. 
 
 Aug lof^ 1775- • 
 Dear Richard, 
 
 It is Thursday and I was elected yesterday into 
 my new office but had no time to inform you of it — or 
 to thank you for the kind letter of advice, for which I 
 esteem myself obliged to you, — tho I am so hurried I 
 can scarce find time for these lines, I know you will be 
 glad to hear of my success. — on Wednesday I was in- 
 formed I should be called in to hear my petition read, 
 and having retired, should receive another summons 
 to be informed of my having been chose : — I waited in 
 the Committe room accordingly, when the door opened, 
 as I supposed for my entrance, — but instead of finding 
 them sitting to receive me, M^ Knox and M^ Henckell 
 
86 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 followed by the whole body of Directors entered before 
 I could make a retreat : and M' Knox said Sir we have 
 chose you in the room of M^ Dod and M^ Henckell 
 added at the full Salary.— the Directors wished me joy 
 etc etc — I come in at ^60 p. ann: which is ^^lo more 
 than M^ Dod had at first and he had great difficulty in 
 getting that. 
 
 I cannot say a word more — I am broke in upon 
 Good night. 
 
 ever yours, 
 
 G. Cumberland. 
 Let me know when you will meet me. 
 
 Rev. M^ Cumberland, 
 
 Magdalen College, 
 
 Cambridge. 
 
 Richard's answer, identifiable as to date by a somewhat 
 blurred postmark, and like the previous letter, misplaced 
 in the collection, must have been written on the 13th 
 or 14th. 
 
 Most heartily and sincerely do I congratulate You 
 My dear, deserving Brother On Your new Preferment 
 and thank for releiving Me from the disagreeable 
 Suspc^ I have suffer'd about it since Your last . . . Sixty 
 Pounds p^ ann., let me tell You is no contemptible 
 Salary to begin with, at least for such a Minor as You — 
 Why, this is more than Your elder Brother can earn, 
 tho he shoud ride and read and write and Preach, till 
 He wear His Breeches to a Rag, His Pen to a Stump, 
 and crack His Brains and Wind into the Bargain. Go 
 but on at this Rate and by the Time I am arrived at the 
 Summit of all My ecclesiastical Dignities You will just 
 have overtaken Me in the Value of Your offical ones. 
 And then whilst the poor Parson sits down contented 
 with an easy, and therefore to him a happy Lot, do You, 
 who are blest with Health and Spirits and Ingenuity, 
 make the best use You can of them, till You have ac- 
 quired that independence. Of which no one better 
 
The Cumberland Letters 87 
 
 knows the Value, or is more capable of enjoying than 
 Yourself. , 
 
 Further particulars of the new appointment are 
 given in a letter of a week later. 
 
 London Aug 17. 1775. 
 Dear Richard, 
 
 Your kind last Letter I have received, and ought 
 certainly to have answer'd it before this but have always 
 been prevented when I set about it, (now it is past 6 
 
 clock and Kekewich and M^^ Ekins are talking away 
 like mad) for I have not got out of the Treasury yet, 
 
 1 stay this week to assist M^ Ekins, whose new clerk 
 comes on Monday next, he was Journey man to M^ 
 Prowton the apothecary, has a Wife, and one Child, 
 and will have nothing to support them but the salary 
 of this Office ! unless his wife gets any thing. — M' 
 Ekins has advised him to keep a Chemists Shop — he is 
 frightned out of his Wits least he should be unfit for 
 the Place — and I will venture to say M^* E. has no other 
 motive in accepting him but the situation of the Person 
 he assists : — 
 
 With regard to my new Office, it is the farthest 
 from the Committee room, and has a much better light 
 than that I am in at Present ; the Business is better 
 suited to my purposes than the Treasury, and I will 
 tell you why : — in the Treasury, we have a certain busi- 
 ness to do every month, which if closely attended to, 
 would take us up about 1 2 days, but we are every moment 
 called off from it to receive Money, and pay dividends 
 etc etc — so that it is impossible to say I will set down for 
 half an hours quiet. — in the Acomptants I have a certain 
 business to do, which I may apply to when I please, 
 and they generally work in the Morning, and amuse 
 themselves in the Afternoon indeed there is little 
 ocasion for any attendance there of an afternoon, and 
 Dod and Clift seldom were there both together, — they 
 keep all holidays by Turns ; and it is no difficult matter 
 to be absent a day upon letting the other know, M^ 
 
88 The Cumberland betters 
 
 Clif t generally goes out of Town to some Watering Place 
 for a Month every Summer, and Dod was once at Fal- 
 mouth for 4 months but this was a great favor, — ^With 
 regard to my Superiors disposition, I beUeve him to be very 
 good natured, — he is rarely grave — and has none of the 
 formal Man of Business about him — I am less acquainted 
 with him than any one in the Office, have dined with him 
 twice at Fennings he once drank Tea with me — and I 
 met him once at Dods where I spent the evening — I 
 beUeve he is as much the gentleman as any in the Office 
 — ^he knows I am fond of drawing and will not cavil 
 at my amusing my leisure time in that way, on the Con- 
 trary, he has been at the pains of clearing out two or 
 three presses for my Portfolios and shews me every 
 civility in his power — 
 
 Your several Schemes I have attentively considerd, 
 and think either of them very eligible, but cannot 
 persuade Mother to trust herself in a Postchaise — nor to 
 think I shall be able to meet you so soon as I wish, for 
 M^ Clift talks of going out of Town tomorrow for a 
 week — unless I could meet you on a Sunday I have had 
 my schemes — what do you think of Hockerill 30 m. or 
 Harlow 23 m. — we must meet somewhere soon — 
 
 M' Ekins Nephew arrived in Town last Saturday 
 from his Tour, if he is not worse, I think I cannot 
 say he seems better, he is now at Pebmarsh, and greatly 
 rejoiced they are I make no doubt to see him again — 
 at Foote the other day I spied Master J. T. Waters in 
 the side Boxes with a fine Girl, one I believe that you 
 have had the Pleasure of seeing 50 miles from London — 
 he cut a flaming figure I assure you with his loud waist- 
 coat and diamond Ring — another gentleman of our 
 acquaintance was there likewise Young Symonds and 
 another Lady I met him the next day in Cheapside and 
 he desired Comp*^. Westcott stopped me on Tuesday 
 his Sister was with him and he told me he has been 
 dangerously ill with a fever this two months, he appeard 
 much thinner than he used to do, and has promised to 
 call on me — 
 
The Cumberland Letters 89 
 
 My paper is full before I was aware, or I have other 
 things to say to you — therefore Adieu for the present, 
 ever yours, 
 
 G. Cumberland. 
 Pray is not your Curacy at Swasy — have you any 
 prospect of another. 
 
 Rev<i Mr Cumberland, 
 
 Magdalen College, 
 Single — Cambridge. 
 
 The proposed meeting between the brothers took 
 place, and on the 25th Richard wrote describing his 
 adventures after their parting. He had intended 
 " when I mounted my Horse in Lad Lane " to get home 
 the same night, but 
 
 a strange Revolution happend in the Weather since I 
 set out the Morning before for instead of being so sharp 
 that a Great Coat and a round Trot woud scarcely keep 
 me warm, it was now become sultry Hot and quite 
 overpowerd my Resolution by the Time I had rode to 
 Stamford Hill. 
 
 Recollecting that he had a friend living within a 
 ., V quarter of a mile, 
 
 I turnd out of the Road and found Him just set down 
 to Breakfast with His Father & Mother. 
 
 After breakfast these hospitable people would not 
 hear of his leaving them, and, in short, he had dined at 
 Stamford Hill, and spent a second night on his journey. 
 
 On August the 30th George, having evidently ob- 
 tained his brother's consent while they were together, 
 took a further step in regard to the society for recovering 
 " dround Persons." He called upon " Dr Cogan of 
 Paternoster Row " and informed him that " a Clergy- 
 man of my acquaintance at Cambridge " wished to be 
 of service to a society " founded on such generous 
 
90 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 Principals," and to assist in " Circulating their method 
 of Treatment as much as possible." Dr. Cogan there- 
 upon presented his visitor with various " Papers and 
 pamphlets." The handbills George advised should be 
 nailed up with tacks 
 
 and a peice of red Tape round the edges, which I have 
 sent you with the parcel, it not only confines them 
 better, but serves as a sort of Frame, and is a security 
 against their being tore down — at the same time it 
 makes them more conspicuous — I am sure it is no shame- 
 ful Office ! . . . You may have seen by the News 
 papers that Mr. Long was robbed coming from Car- 
 shalton on Tuesday — & Mrs. Smith lost her Watch at 
 the proclamation on Wednesday. 
 
 Of his own doings he reported in the following terms : 
 
 Was at Foote's on Teusday, Marybon on Wed^ and 
 spent the last evening at M^^ Read's. 
 
 Foote's was, of course, the theatre of which that 
 objectionable person was manager, and at which he 
 produced farces wherein his contemporaries were pre- 
 sented under the thinnest of disguises. " Marybon " 
 stands for Marylebone Gardens, a less dazzling Vauxhall 
 in the north-western suburb. Mrs. Read was the lady 
 who, until recently, had been Miss Sally Balchen. 
 
 On September the 8th Richard expressed his gratitude 
 for a long extract which George had at his desire copied 
 for him from The Village Memoirs^ and which " pleased 
 me so much that I have since procured a sight of the 
 Book." George had also sent a 
 
 Pacquet which I reced this afternoon containing Your 
 Letter, Bills & a Tongue, upon which I am this 
 Moment about to Feast & will tell You before I end this 
 how I like it. 
 
 He rejoiced in " the opportunity You have procured 
 
The Cumberland Letters 91 
 
 Me of promoting so charitable an Undertaking," but 
 wished that 
 
 the Composer of the Bills had studied Elegance of 
 Expression less — stimulating Medium — Subject — Medi- 
 cal Art &c are all Greek to the country people for whom 
 mine are intended. 
 
 Also, George had not remembered to enclose the red 
 tape. 
 
 On the last day of September George described his 
 visit on the previous evening to Drury Lane Theatre, 
 which had, it would seem, been undergoing repairs or 
 renovations and had now become " a most elegant 
 Theatre indeed." He had witnessed a performance of 
 
 the Comedy of " As You Like it " and never was better 
 entertain'd the Caracters where all so well cast and the 
 Unities (I think that is the Stage term) well preserved. 
 
 It seems safe to say, considering what the play was, 
 that " the Unities " was not the " Stage term " that 
 George needed on this occasion. A piece of this letter 
 having been torn away, its readers are left with only 
 fragments of a tale about some unnamed person who was 
 left with but " 6d pr Diem for her support " and was 
 now proposing to " retire from the World," after having 
 called upon Mrs. Long, " her Cuzz,in and employed 
 every endearing expression for assistance but in vain." 
 
 Richard, busy, as he himself confessed, but for one 
 day in the week, seems to have been leading at this 
 period a pretty easy life. Here is an account of one of 
 the little jaunts in which he delighted : 
 
 DUXFORD lo^'^' Ocf, 
 Dear George, 
 
 On Saturday last I had the Pleasure of receiving 
 a very kind Invitation from qur good Friend M^ Cross 
 
92 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 to come over here the first opportunity. Sunday was 
 a busy Day with me, so was obHgd to defer till yesterday 
 when I got here by the Fly, just Time enough to make 
 one in a Coursing Party, and had the good luck to find a 
 Hare in her Form before we had beat more than an Hour. 
 She gave us an excellent Chase, and was caught just 
 before she reached the cover — soon after we picked up 
 another, and then returnd in Triumph — M^ Cross was 
 so good as to give me one, which I have sent by this 
 morning Fly to M' Ekins, to whom beg my Com- 
 
 Dined at M^ Vechells & staid till near ten and came home 
 to supper. This Morning was so elate with yesterdays 
 success, that I prevaild with M^ Cross to let me go out 
 again with the Greyhounds, James and two Farmers 
 went with me, we met with a Brace and run one above 
 a mile & half and lost her after all — ^The other served us 
 in the same manner. I am just returnd and M'^ Cross, 
 who has taken Ward with him fishing not being come 
 in I set down to scribble this. Any one woud suppose 
 we were in a Plot to destroy the Game this Morning 
 for Chapman has been out with the Pointers & has just 
 brought in a Leash and some Larks. & Rainer is gone to 
 shoot Snipe. Tomorrow M^ Cross goes to Dine with 
 M^ Darrell & I shall return to Colege — I have a number 
 of Things in view relative to Curacys and hope soon to 
 fix on something for my self and Friends you may depend 
 on it I shall take the first opportunity of seeing you in 
 Town for a few Days, and am sorry you coud not con- 
 trive to come down to Cambridge — Duty to Mother 
 I must dress before Dinner so adieu Dear George, 
 
 Yours most affect'^, 
 
 R. D. Cumberland. 
 
 The Misses Balchen being now of an age to attract 
 suitors, George's letters frequently report the addresses 
 of some gentleman to one or other of them. Richard 
 had recently enquired whether Mr. Joachim, " Susan's 
 humble servant," was descended from an abbot of the 
 
The Cumberland Letters 93 
 
 same name who pretended to inspiration. George, on 
 October the I4th5 informed him that : 
 
 Tis not Susans humble Serv* (to answer the fag end 
 of an old Letter of the 24 Sep^ whith an affidavit) but 
 Mary's, at that time we suspected otherwise, but 
 it has turned out as I say. I'll tell you more : — the latter 
 end of September — She refused Him : — the begins of 
 October called Him Friend : — ^Two days after Smiled in 
 His Company : — the Next day talked of 3 Years : — 24 
 Hours after, said, She did not want to be Married, 
 and Yesterday He called on M^ Tapp : — (who was 
 her uncle and perhaps her guardian) did not you 
 expect I should roar out Curse her I hate Her — Fire ! 
 Furies ! Death & D n ! and then whine like a Milk- 
 sop. — Nothing like it I assure you — sound, sound as a 
 Roach, give me your hand my good Friend, and Con- 
 gratulate me — there ! 
 
 From all which protestations we may surmise that 
 Mary Balchen may have been the " amiable Female " 
 with whose affection George would have liked to be 
 blessed. Richard, some days after, did, as requested, 
 congratulate him heartily, 
 
 on having once more regain'd your Liberty which I 
 really thought at one Time in Danger, tho' I cannot give 
 credit to all the unconcern you express upon the Occa- 
 sion. 
 
 The vanity of George, if not the heart, must surely, 
 his brother opined, be touched by the rivalry of the 
 " Vender of Nutmegs." Even vanity, however, had no 
 reason long to feel a wound, for neither of the Balchen 
 sisters married Mr. Joachim. 
 
 One of George's visits to Cambridge was now being 
 arranged, and he was bidden not to forget his 
 
 Pencil as you will see some admirable Subjects for 
 
94 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 Caricature among D's and Freshmen. — Never talk of 
 the Desarts o£ Siberia but retreat into the Desarts o£ 
 Cam. where You'll find more Prodigies and Monsters, 
 and if You please be as little troubled with Society. 
 
 George recurring, rather suspiciously, to the subject 
 of Mr. Joachim, protested that he felt no ill-will to him, 
 and proceeded with a statement about Mary that de- 
 serves some attention, considering how important a 
 part she played in the lives of both the Cumberland 
 brothers, and some, perhaps, too, as an example of the 
 eighteenth-century attitude towards marriage. 
 
 Situated disagreeably as I know she is at home, a 
 Man offers himself, not disagreeable in his person, 
 approved by her friends, and in a thriving business : 
 she knows her own fortune to be no large one. I am sure 
 she has no vanity and therefore thinks nothing of her 
 personal qualifications ; all this considred, I think in 
 prudence she could not refuse ; As I am enterd into the 
 subject I will tell you (my father Confess^) what my 
 thoughts have ever been, and how they got their rise 
 — for to no one but yourself, have I ever divulged them, 
 nor do I now ever intend so to do. For the sweetness of 
 her temper, unaffected Humility and some little strokes 
 of [an unintelligible word, which may possibly be 
 meant for " invincible "] integrity, joined to my own 
 Observations, I always gave her the preference to one 
 Sister ; — there was a bashfulness, a modesty, which in 
 my Eye, gave her a preference to both [ ] Age 
 
 had some share in it ; after the death of Eli%a (for whom 
 I boast to declare, I would have encounterd every 
 difficulty that could have fallen to the lot of Man) my 
 partiallity was encreased to esteem from some conversa- 
 tions I had with her on that ocasion ; since : I have 
 gradually discovered new beauties in her Mind : and I 
 will frankly confess to you were I in a situation to marry 
 any woman without injuring her, she would be the woman 
 of my choi[ ] And my only hopes, (if I hoped at all) 
 
The Cumberland Letters 95 
 
 were that s[ ] she remain single, I might one day 
 
 have it[ ] my power, honourably, to ask her hand — 
 
 but my circumstances must be good before d[ ] 
 
 because I am fearful of my own extravaganc[ ]. 
 
 On the outer leaf of this letter is a list as follows of 
 the " contents of Parcel " : 
 
 I loaf of gd i.e. suger. 
 lib of 12/- green tea 
 i/i fib souchon 
 a Letter. 
 
 Eleven days later George was writing again, and his 
 first paragraph is a little mysterious. I venture to sur- 
 mise that " a waiscoat shape " means a pattern for the 
 cutting out of a waistcoat. 
 
 Nov 2. 1775. 
 
 I reced the little Spirit in the form of a Waiscoat 
 Shape, and rece'd him gladly, because he brought me 
 the news of your safe arrival : — ^Tho my heart reproached 
 me bitterly, for not dispatching a messenger of the same 
 sort as soon as I arrived, to declare to you the lively 
 sense I have of the many favors, and Civilities, I ex- 
 perienced, from your assiduity and attention to oblige 
 me while at Cambridge perhaps you had not heard from 
 me even now, had not M^ Ekins, (who is always thinking 
 to do you a service) proposed a thing to me which I 
 think you will hardly hesitate accepting — tis this — A 
 Gentleman a relation of M' Ekins and a Friend, known 
 to M' Cross, M^ Weyland and others of our friends, of 
 about five & Thirty, a good natur'd man, having lately 
 lost his Wife has retired from the business of a Mer- 
 chant, purchased an Estate and settled about 15 miles 
 from London near Kingston, he has two sons, lads about 
 6 y'« old, and proposes to take a Clergyman as their 
 Tutor for two Years, when they will be fit to go to School; 
 his the clergymans Salary will be ^40 or ^50 p ann : 
 to live in the same manner with himself^ and he will 
 keep him a horse ? in short at the same time that he 
 
96 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 assists him in educating his Children, he hopes, he will 
 be an agreable companion to himself : the gentleman — 
 Your first consideration must be what Exhibitions you 
 can retain in this situation — M^ Ekins says if any of them 
 require a small attendance that may possibly be no 
 objection as the pupils make a visit every year to their 
 Grandmother for two months or more — but really 
 this offer appears to me in so advantageous a light that 
 were you obliged to give them up it would be a better 
 situation — for there, even if you had no Curacy, you 
 would be able to save. — and in your present situation 
 should you get two Curacys they will hardly support 
 you — the gentleman keeps his Coach — has good connec- 
 tions — and a small family — ^you will have little to do 
 and will be rather treated as a Superior than the contrary 
 — these outlines I have from M^ Ekins to lay before you 
 & when you have made a judgment you will let me know 
 as in offers of this nature there is no time to be lost — 
 if he should drop this scheme I will let you know im- 
 mediately — 
 
 One more piece of news, Mary's affair is entirely broke 
 of, whether by the hand of Avarice, or by the effects of 
 indiference on either side, I can hardly tell you till I 
 have heard more : 
 
 In the mean time I subscribe myself 
 
 unalteraby 
 
 Your friend, 
 
 G. Cumberland. 
 
 P.S. M^ Smith who has had a fever is better today ; 
 and my cold & sore throat, which has been getting worse 
 and worse till yes^ is now diminished a little : — I go 
 about muffled up like a Spy — wear worstead stockings, 
 and two socks, and appear a verry suspitious person 
 indeed : pray keep inquiring for my stick : and let me 
 know what I owe you beside the money you have in 
 hand. 
 
 Rev: M'^ Cumberland, 
 
 Magdalen College, 
 
 Cambridge. 
 
The Cumberland Letters 97 
 
 Only a fragment remains of Richard's discreet reply, 
 written probably on November the 3rd or 4th. 
 
 Dear George, 
 
 Your Letter is come to my Hands, so late that 
 I have scarcely Time to answer it by the last Post, this 
 Week. As yet I hardly know what to say to the Pro- 
 posals farther than that I feel Myself infinitely indebted 
 to M^ Ekins for his kind Intentions. The offer is no 
 doubt an advantageous one, and I should not hesitate 
 a moment, as to accepting it, if I thought myself capable 
 of doing Credit to our Friends recommendation. With 
 regard to undertaking the case of two young Pupils of 
 the age you mention, I have the Vanity to think myself 
 in some Degree Qualified, (tho you who have read 
 Rousseau, will say it is no trifling task) my only Doubts 
 arise from that Qualification you mention of being an 
 agreable Companion to the Gentleman himself. This 
 depends on so many Circumstances of Genius, Temper, 
 etc that all I can say to it is, that you who best know 
 mine, and M' Ekins who is probably acquainted with 
 his, must do me the favor to determine that Point in 
 the most impartial manner you can, since that alone 
 will either make my situation a very elegible or a very 
 uneasy one — ^you must be sensible of this, that I have 
 but few prejudices, am not difficult to be pleased, and 
 can easily conform myself to any thing reasonable, this 
 is all I can say for myself, and should my Employer 
 want these Qualities we shall never do together, as he 
 will have sufficient occasion to exert them, in having 
 such an awkward fellow as myself for a Companion. 
 
 However, should M' Ekins think there is a probability 
 of My answering His friends expectations I am ready 
 to accept the offer either immediately or whenever it 
 is agreable, having no settled Church on my Hands at 
 present, and besides have reason to think I can keep 
 most of my Exhibitions with a very trifling Residence 
 — Make my resp* Compos to M^ Ekins M' Smith & family 
 etc — I cannot make out by you which of them has been 
 ill, but am heartily sorry to hear of it. 
 
98 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 By November the loth the tutor in fosse was suffering 
 severely from suspense and impatience. A week had gone 
 by since he had heard of 
 
 M' Ekins kind Proposal, the Advantages of which 
 appeared so evident . . . but suppose from Your Silence 
 You have nothing further to communicate. 
 
 He was uneasy, too, about that cold which George had 
 mentioned, the rather that he had heard " frightful 
 Stories of Plagues & Pestilences among You." He had been 
 
 Myself confined to My Room for more than a Week 
 past with a lame Leg, owing to a fall ... I made shift 
 however to hop out and preach a very unpopular 
 Sermon last Sunday in favor of Moderation and forgive- 
 ness &c &c. 
 
 George replied next day in one of his flourishing moods 
 to an observation that Richard had made about his own 
 last letter — not quite unjustly. 
 
 Not worth postage ! my dear friend tis worth a 
 thousand Letters of business ; tis the offering of 
 Humanity, from the hand of fraternal kindness ; and 
 the Oblation has a sweet Savour ; — " if I do not feel for 
 thee, I am a Villain ; if I do not write to thee, I am a 
 Jew " ; — now go search for this ; — but tis no divinity^ 
 therefore I will save you the troble ; I had it last night 
 from Benedict ; aye, at the Play my good Sir, and 
 Garrick acted, and the House was full so full you could 
 not have thrust your little finger in, notwithstanding 
 your Plague sweeps us away by dozens ; the truth is 
 every body has had Cold, and many violent ones too, 
 but I trust none dangerous ; many must die in such a 
 City as this every Day, and most Hkely this Cursed Cold 
 has helped Death to carry off His prey — but the wind 
 has changed and people get better — the Sons of Galen 
 have made a Harvest of it ; and much human Blood 
 has been Spilt every Hour ; but I took Care to keep out 
 of their Clutches, and with the assistance of Black 
 
The Cumberland Letters 99 
 
 Currant Jelly, Warm Broth for Dinner, Egg Wine 
 at Night, join'd to abstinence from Malt Liquor — I have 
 nearly got the better of as violent a Cold and Sore Throat 
 as most have a had : — a Cold, let me tell you that would 
 have produced an Apothecary five pounds with good 
 management, 
 
 George began by writing that everybody had had 
 " colds," and then scratched out his " s," but failed to 
 bring the rest of his composition into harmony with 
 the absence of the plural. The point may be worth 
 noting as showing the transition from the early expression 
 " having cold " to the later " having colds." 
 
 That this prevalent cold was not the influenza of our 
 own day must be concluded from the odd circumstance 
 that " few people's Spirits are lowered by it, and mine 
 were increased." 
 
 The tutorship being still not " determined on," 
 Richard prudently resolved to think no more about it 
 until further hearing, " tho if your Sketch of it, is 
 strictly just it appears to me a very desireable Object." 
 He wrote to this effect on a Sunday night after 
 
 the fatigues of the Day, which have been great beyond 
 Description. I am just return'd from Ickleton to which 
 Place I rode this Morning with a Coachmans Coat over 
 my own and yeF was wet thorough, tho but one hour on 
 the Road. 
 
 His uncertainty must shortly have been alleviated, 
 though not removed, by a letter giving further particu- 
 lars of the tutorship negotiations. 
 
 Nov, 25. 1775. 
 Let the Substance compensate for inacuracy of Stile — 
 
 Dear Richard, 
 
 I have some intelligence and instructions to 
 forward to you concerning your affair with M^ James 
 
loo The Cumberland Letters 
 
 which may be of service, I picked it up this morns 
 and tho I have but lo minutes to spare cannot omitt 
 informing you of them a moment — 
 
 M' James is in treaty with a Cambridge man about 
 the Tutorship — the man demands ^^80 for the first 
 year & ;£ioo for the second, because he must give up 
 pupils there : — M^ James will be at Cambridge some 
 time next week, he has your direction from M^ Ekins, 
 and may possibly call at your Rooms, but you are 
 not to know a word of this, nor of his business, for 
 he may possibly not mention it, but only call as a 
 friend of M^ Ekins, (I have just reced yours and from 
 a glimpse of the contents, am almost angry, that at 
 the time I was employd about this aflFair, I should 
 be censured for silence — I could give you reason that 
 would put you to silence — ^you impatient fellow — but 
 you shant put me in a passion till I've finished what 
 I had to say). — Now I go on overleaf — if he does not 
 mention any thing, you may conclude he has agreed with 
 the other — but if he talks to you about it, and asks your 
 terms, you may propose £60 p ann: (he has offerd that to 
 the other and will not think it unreasonable) should he 
 object, you may leave it to his discretion, and M^ Ekins, 
 these hints (which are the first I have been able 
 to pick up) I think may be of service to you — by all 
 means keep in the way this week, and remember 
 you are to know nothing of the proposal, or of his 
 coming down to Cambridge — now Sir I shall read your 
 Letter — 
 
 Why tis somewhat civiler than I expected from the 
 beginning, and I thank you for the inteligence of your 
 being alive, but for the load of private news I am to rake 
 together, you must wait — one piece only excepted 
 I had this morn^ an opportunity of shewing that I am 
 not destitute of gratitude — I had been soliciting a place 
 in our office, much better than my own, nobody opposed 
 me — M^^ Ekins proposed his Nephew, and I instanly 
 dropt my claim — the circumstance has contributed 
 to my happiness for I have long wished for some 
 
The Cumberland Letters 
 
 lOI 
 
 opportunity of this sort — God bless you my dear 
 friend. 
 
 Accept this as a peace offring, from 
 
 Your best Friend, 
 
 G. Cumberland. 
 We are all well excepts Colds, dont mention any 
 thing about Jack Ekins place to any one of the family. 
 Rev. M' Cumberland, 
 
 Magdalen College, 
 
 Cambridge. 
 
 On December the ist George sent a sermon of his own 
 composition together with the following cheerful letter : 
 
 Dec I. 1775. 
 Dear Richard, 
 
 According to promise I have sent the enclosed 
 threepennyworth of my divinity — I could have made it 
 more to my liking by throwing in a little more spirit 
 but as you desired it might be sober, and such as a small 
 Orator might venture on — I think I have suited it to 
 your purpose — for length, it is I am sure long enough 
 for any Sermon, and if you preach verry slow will last 
 a good twenty minutes — I dont know wether it would 
 suit your Church at Iccleton — but if you were to say 
 you should not be much ashamed to sport it at Pebs- 
 marsh, with corrections etc — I should think myself a 
 lucky fellow, for when all trades fall to the Ground — 
 if I can but earn half a Crown a piece by writing 
 sermons — I will never want a dinner — I skecthed this 
 out on Wednesday night & wrote it fair yesterday — 
 the latter part of the task — cost me more trouble than 
 I shall be willing to go thro' some time again — one thing 
 I must tell you for your satisfaction — that I had no 
 book but the Bible to assist me in the composing it — 
 as I have no copy left — ^if your worship should be so 
 good as to be so kind — as to think it worth copying ; 
 I shall be obliged to you to put it in your pocket when 
 you come to Town — only because as I have long been 
 Jack of all callings — I may keep it as a specimen against 
 
I02 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 I want a place of all work — Adieu we are all well here 
 except colds, my Mothers cough is a bad one, and keeps 
 her close prisoner. 
 
 Let us hear of your health etc soon — I am going to be 
 hard at work for some time — Once more Adieu, 
 
 G. Cumberland. 
 Rev: M^ Cumberland, 
 
 Magdalen College, 
 
 Cambridge. 
 
 The negotiations about the tutorship were now in 
 the hands of the two principals, and a letter, undated, 
 but postmarked on December the 4th5 gave George 
 news of the further steps. 
 
 Dear George, 
 
 Your eloquent tho' unpopular Discourse arrived 
 just in Time to be dress'd & served up this morning had 
 there been an opportunity for doing it, but since you 
 left me I have been altogether unemployed — M^ James 
 called on me last night and this morning came again to 
 my Rooms with M^ Squire of Caius and we had a long 
 Conversation about the Tutors Place, the result of which 
 was, that if the Person He is in Treaty with does not 
 accept what He has offered Him I have agreed to under- 
 take it for 50^ Salary without being tied down to hold 
 it for any stated Time — He has promised to let me have 
 an answer by Wednesday or Thursday next and as I 
 have long had thoughts of making you a Visit, which 
 has been only prevented by the badness of the Weather 
 and a violent Cold, which is considerably better You need 
 not be surprized should you see me in London tomorrow 
 or Teusday — M^ James will be there by that time, and 
 I have made an appointment to call on Him in Austin 
 Friors should that offer fail I shall then proceed to deter- 
 mine on some other Plan for the ensuing year, being 
 heartily ashamed of the immoderate tho' unavoidable 
 Expence attendant on the Life I lead in College, which 
 rather increases than diminishes with my Standing. 
 You alarm me by saying my Mother's cold is very bad — 
 
The Cumberland Letters lo;^ 
 
 tell Her I am coming to be her Nurse, a far more agreable 
 and honorable Employment than that I am solliciting 
 which to me appears neither more nor less than that of 
 Dry Nurse to a couple of children — but no matter, twill 
 put money in my Purse & so I shall find a Way to 
 bribe the Stings of Pride & Vanity to be at Peace — 
 Adieu. 
 
 R. D. Cumberland. 
 Magd. Sunday. 
 
 M^ Geo: Cumberland, 
 
 Exchange Insurance, 
 London. 
 
 Probably Mr. James and Richard met, but the other 
 Cambridge man had agreed to undertake the oversight 
 of the little boys, and Richard was left with a polite 
 assurance — afterwards fulfilled — that if at any future 
 time the post should be vacant he should be the person 
 asked to take it. 
 
 Mr. Lucas asked George's services in a matter that is 
 always appearing in eighteenth-century correspondence. 
 That obliging young man is often requested in letters 
 from the country to look up the numbers of somebody's 
 ticket, and almost as often reporting that such-and-such 
 a number is a blank. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 I am an Adventurer in the present Lottery, and, 
 from a careful Inspection of the news-papers, I doubt, 
 an unfortunate one ; however, you will greatly oblige 
 me in inquiring, and letting me know, the Fate of the 
 
 two following numbers ; viz No. l^^l ^3^ and '^^'/"'^^r 
 I could wish you would take the Trouble to examine 
 these numbers at two of the most accurate Offices ; 
 and, as I am, I confess, foolishly solicitous about the 
 Event, that you would be kind enough to write to me 
 by the Return of the Post. I thank you for the com- 
 
I04 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 fortable assurance, which you give me with regard to 
 my Bills ; and am. Sir, 
 
 Your most obedient and 
 
 most humble Servant, 
 
 W. Lucas. 
 Afternoon, 
 
 'Jan, 2. 1776. 
 
 M^ George Cumberland, 
 Assurance-Office, 
 
 Royal Exchange, 
 London. 
 
 A brief note from Richard, written on the fourth day 
 of the new year, mentions rather mysteriously that he 
 was 
 
 setting out on a Visit for a Week or Ten Days after 
 which shall take Possession of My Curacy. All I can 
 tell You at present is, that Business has a larger Share 
 in this Excursion than Pleasure. 
 
 His promise that George should " hear more when I 
 return " cannot have been immediately fulfilled, for 
 on the 19th George is found expostulating : 
 
 Jan, 19 : 1776. 
 For the sake of Civility my Dear Friend do let us 
 hear something about you, if it is but to satisfy us you 
 are not buryd in the Snow, Alas you people in the country 
 (who are said to want Bread) know not what difficulty 
 we encounter here in London, why man there hardly 
 any possibility of going to the Playhouses not a Soul 
 at Court on the Queens Birthday ; nor a morsel of Salary 
 or Endive to be procured with our roast Veal ; we eat 
 saltfish without Parsnips, and mutton without Turnips ; 
 and then our Butter ; hardly any fresh to be had : 
 these are real hardships : and for amusement if it were 
 not for the plentiful account we have from Dunstable 
 an Birmingham of poor old women buryd alive waggons 
 overset near London Ships run from their Anchors etc 
 
The Cumberland Letters 105 
 
 etc and above all the behaviour of the [ ] we 
 
 should certainly become the dullest creature alive but 
 seriously are you so badly off as it is described Roads 
 stoped, no passage for a horse Inns full of Passengers and 
 nothing to give them Battles for Mutton Chops etc etc 
 here tis cold enough but I have not yet put on a great 
 Coat : and a fellow is at this moment winding a cursed 
 Clarionet under my Office Window which is a proff a 
 man may move his fingers, tho possibly he plays in Gloves 
 for the Musick is so miserable as to produce no Ideas, 
 that Frost and Snow will not : — at the close of the last 
 paragraff I was siezed with as sudden and Violent a 
 Headach as I ever experienced : tis not 5 min. since, 
 and has gone off almost intirely. I only mention it 
 because remarkable in me who rarely complain of that 
 excruciating disorder but it has hindered me of saying 
 something I would otherwise have said ; before Bell 
 turned me out, all I have now time to say is, I make no 
 apology for this chat, & that by way of setting you a 
 good example — we are all well here and wish to hear of 
 you or see you, adieu. 
 
 Yours Sincerely, 
 
 G. Cumberland. 
 
 The account which Richard wrote, on January the 20th 
 and 2 1 St, gives so minute a picture of the hospitable 
 country life of his day that it seems worth printing in 
 spite of its prolixity. 
 
 Cambridge, 
 
 ^at Night 20^^ Jan 76. 
 Dear Geo: 
 
 You may well be surprizd at my long and unusual 
 Silence of which had you known the Cause, there had 
 been Reason enough to suppose Me in good earneast 
 buried in the snow, as You jocosely hint in your Letter 
 but let this certify that I am, not only alive, but well 
 & in excellent Spirits, tho just come off a Journey of 
 near 600 Leagues. If My retentive Faculty is not quite 
 
io6 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 frozen I will endeavor to give you some account of this 
 strange, unseasonable Expedition. And first for M7 
 Inducement to it, know then, that on My return to 
 Colege before Xmas a Friend of Mine applied to Me, 
 to know if I woud undertake the Care of a couple of 
 Churches for two Months. As they were situated in 
 the Neighbourhood of Jame's Curacy [this odd posses- 
 sive represents the name of a gentleman called James] 
 in Leicestershire I listend to his proposal with Pleasure, 
 however before his Letter arriv'd they were engaged 
 to another, and I thought no more of them, till Thursday 
 the nth Inst: when the Principal call'd on Me to know 
 if I coud make it convenient to visit My Friend James 
 for two near [or perhaps " next "] Sundays only. 
 He having alterd his Plan of Absense. At the same 
 Time offering Me three Guineas, the use of his Horse 
 & that of his House &c during My Stay. After some 
 little consideration I accepted his Proposal for these 
 Reasons. I had a particular desire to see My old Colege 
 Companion in his new Situation and he had laid a great 
 Stress on it in several of his Letters — besides as Degree 
 Time approachd & I had no Concern in it (farther than 
 exchanging Gown) I wished to be out of the Way. So 
 putting the three Peices only in My Pocket & packing 
 up two Shirts a pair of breeches &c in my blue Surtout 
 by way of Cloak Bag, I began My Journey that afternoon 
 drank Tea at Huntingdon and went to the Oratorio 
 (the Messiah) at Hinchinbrook — the best Peice of Musick 
 perform'd by the compl^ Band in the Kingdom. Sig. 
 Galli assisted Mad. Ray &c &:c — met with some acquain- 
 tance and was introduced to a M^ Nap, his Wife & 
 Daugh*r of Stamford & engagd to sup with them at 
 Alconbury Hill 5 Miles farther on My Road — procured 
 a good Bed, and set out next Morning for Stamford 
 through a fine Country entirely new to Me, and shoud 
 have thought it a very pleasant Ride had the Roads been 
 made of Gravel instead of Stone — arrived at Stamford 
 about 12. A large but dirty Town ill paved and uneven 
 — the Houses cheifly built of a darkish Stone which has 
 
The Cumberland Letters 107 
 
 not half so pleasing an Effect in Towns as Brick — Dined 
 with Purkis who has taken one of the best Houses in 
 the Town — ^he reced Me Politely & insisted on My 
 staying with Him that Evens, which I did much to My 
 Satisfaction over a Party at Whist, with two or three 
 Brothers of the Cloth, and his Wife & her Sister. — Got 
 up early next Morns and reached Oakham before 
 Breakfast. It is the Capital of Rutlands'^ 12 Miles from 
 Stamford situated in a Clayey Country, and the worst 
 Roads about it, I ever m^t with [The reader will ere 
 this have remarked how invariably Richard's experiences 
 of all sorts transcend any previous ones of a similar 
 description.] Lord Winchelsea has a noble Seat on 
 the Summit of a very high & steep Hill near the Town, 
 which I passd, but the Weather here was hazy, and I 
 had not the Resolution to climb the Hill for fear of 
 being bathed in Clouds — Oakham is a decent little Market 
 Town noted only for the Horse Shoe Charter granted 
 by Queen Elizabeth. Of course I walked to the Castle 
 and was not a little diverted at seeing My own Name on 
 the first I cast My Eyes on, which was placed in the Center 
 of six others on the Castle gate. Determined not to 
 come away without it I actually staid two Hours in 
 Oakham, endeavouring to get Possession of it — but was 
 obHgd to set out, with a Promise of having it sent after 
 Me to Melton Mowbray a Market Town in Leicestershire 
 10 Miles off at which Place after taking a Whet I en- 
 quired the Way to Wastnaby where Cant My Rector Lives, 
 and got to his House just as it grew Dark. Was Welcomed 
 in by His Mother, a good kind of an old Lady, who 
 lives there in a very genteel Stile. Drank Tea and spent 
 the Evens Tete a Tete, went to Bed at Eleven State 
 Chamber, a good Pit Coal Fire & a pretty Maid. Rose 
 early on Sunday Morning with a design to view the Pre- 
 mises and discover where I was, when Alas ! to my great 
 Disappointment and Surprize, Nature had thrown a 
 Milk Wite Veil over her verdant Face, and Nothing coud 
 be seen but one uniform, unvaried Plain of Snow. — 
 However I dress'd and my Spirits being sharpned with 
 
io8 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 the air, resolv'd to go through with the Duty which 
 brought me down. It was Sacrament Day at Wastnaby 
 & I had engagd the Night before to exchange Duty 
 with a Mr. Burnaby [Richard, as a deacon, not being 
 allowed to administer the sacrament] who lived at 
 the Distance of 3 Miles. At Ten I set out fortified well 
 with My two great Coats & mounted on a strong hunting 
 Hobby of Cants, His Man Dick leading the Way on a 
 Monster of a Coach Horse, away we scamper'd at a 
 prodigious Rate through Drifts & Grips (?) immea- 
 surable. Dick Horse tript up & fell but no Bones were 
 broke, and glad was I to find My self at Asserby [pre- 
 sumably Asfordby] When we came to the Vicarage 
 Burnaby was just returnd, having in vain attempted to 
 reach Wastnaby and turnd back. The Reception I met 
 with from Him, made Ample Amends for all My 
 Dangers & Fatigues. He introduced Me to his Sister, 
 a genteel Woman between 20 & 30 & two Neices, fine 
 Hobbydahoy Girls. And insisted on my not leaving 
 their House till the Weather was better. As I liked 
 My Situation extremely I soon consented and took 
 Possession of the Parlour Fire while they went to Church, 
 having previously took Care to strew the Table with 
 Books and Bottles. After an excellent Dinner, being 
 proof against Cold or fear B. & Myself in spite of the 
 Ladies Remonstrances, determined to serve two Churches 
 about two Miles off but in the same Line, tho the bad 
 Weather woud have been sufficient Excuse. As the 
 Thing was entirely of My own seeking, I will say nothing 
 of the many Perils and DiflSculties we encounterd in our 
 Way there & back. How my Horse was buried in Snow 
 and Myself obligd to roll of before he cou'd get out &c 
 &c &c Suffice it we both got safe Home, and soon ex- 
 perienced that kind of Satisfaction, which they only 
 who have sufferd Cold & Danger can have an Idea of. A 
 Noble Bank of Pit Coal Fire — a Smiling Family & a 
 Dish of Tea made us soon forget or at least laugh at 
 our Distresses. But I must begin to shorten My Narra- 
 tive or Paper will fail before I am half through — Passed 
 
The Cumberland Letters 109 
 
 my Time in the most agreable manner possible till 
 Teusday Morns when after Breakfast B. accompanied 
 Me into the Turnpike Road leading from Melton to 
 Rhodley [Rothley ?] where James Lives — a pleasnt 
 Ride of about lo Miles brought me to His House — 
 heard He was gone to Dine with a M^ Ball a Parson 
 'or perhaps " at Paston " or " Poston "] 3 Miles cross 
 Country. After a Whet, took a guide and set out after 
 Him. The Roads being stopt up with Iced Snow, we 
 cleard our Way through Hedge & Ditch to Ansty, 
 found a free & hearty Welcome to a good S^^ Loin & 
 Pudding. Plaid at Whist the Evens and coud not come 
 a[way] till next Morns visited on our Return the Ruins 
 of L^ Jane Greys at Bradgate park (of which more when 
 we meet) took a Glass of Ale & Luncheon with the 
 Ran[ger] next Morns went to see Loughborough & 
 Mount Sorrel Friday to the Slate Pits, in the Evens 
 danced & plaid at Cards till 3 o Clock, next Morns at 
 Eleven James accompanied Me part of the Way to 
 Burnabys where I dined, and afterwards rode over with 
 his Servant to M^^ Cant to Tea & take my leave. The 
 Evens at Burnaby's, Cards &c &c. Sunday serv'd Asserby 
 & another Church. Monday Morning, rode with Bur- 
 naby to Leicester, dined with his Brother, and being 
 engaged to make one of a large Party at Rhodley, promised 
 to breakfast there next Morns and set out to Jame's 
 with whom I drank Tea, and afterwards Spent a chearf ul 
 Evening with a wealthy Yeoman in the Town. Teud: 
 Morn: James rode with Me to Leicester ; we breakfasted 
 with B. then walked round the Town, at one I took leave 
 of them and set out for Haselbeach in Northamptonshire 
 where M' Ashby constantly resides, 22 M from Leicester 
 found Him & M^^ Ashby at Home, with a Lady whom I 
 used to visit at Cambridge. Staid there till Yesterday 
 noon, during which Time I reced a Thousand Civilities 
 from that worthy Family, and to Day dined in College, 
 without having met with the least Accident or Dis- 
 appointment throughout my long and unseasonable 
 Tour. On Summing up my Expenses I find upon the 
 
no The Cumberland Letters 
 
 whole they amount to only 2.5.6. so that I am something 
 in Pocket. I shall take charge of Stansted next Sunday 
 & hope to be in Town perhaps this or next Week. To 
 morrow I will get the Certificate signd again. Adieu 
 Dear George, remember me to Mother. I am Yours 
 
 R. D. Cumberland. 
 
 M' Geo. Cumberland, 
 
 Exchange Insurance, 
 London. 
 
 The following account of the " Horse Shoe Charter " 
 appears in the Penny Encyclofcedia : " The gate of the 
 Castle-yard and the interior of the county-hall are 
 covered with horse-shoes ; the lord of the manor being 
 authorized by antient custom to demand of every peer, 
 on first passing through the lordship, a shoe from one 
 of his horses, or a sum of money to purchase one in lieu 
 of it. Some of these shoes are gilt, and stamped with 
 the owner's name." 
 
 On February the 8th George, evidently in a mood 
 of depression, was deploring the want of feeling and of 
 intelligence of the persons with whom he chiefly asso- 
 ciated. 
 
 I can remember the time (tis a proof how our 
 though[ts] change in every Stage of Life) when I have 
 been plunged in Melancholy to think what a Multitude 
 of worthy Men there might be in the World with whom 
 it was impossible I should ever be acquainted — behold 
 the reverse — 
 
 In short, how few worthy men were to be found among 
 those with whom he was acquainted. 
 
 On April the 3rd George wrote in great haste to inform 
 his brother that : 
 
 M^ James who you negotiated with about the 
 Tutorship, and who told you, if the gentleman he had 
 
The Cumberland Letters 
 
 III 
 
 engaged did not stay, he would give you the preference 
 to any other, was with M^ Ekins this Morns he sent for 
 Me, and informed me that the gentleman he had en- 
 gaged is going to leave him, and that if you are still 
 indinable to accept His proposal, it is at Y' Service ; 
 that he shall be in town from tuesday to Friday, when he 
 may if convenient to you have an interview, in the 
 mean time you may answer me wether you chuse to 
 accept his proposal. 
 
 Richard was " still inclinable " and the bargain was 
 struck. The next letter comes from a friend to whom 
 he had applied for assistance in securing a substitute 
 to perform the duties of the curacy which he had under- 
 taken ; and, as the letter is addressed to him at " Ham, 
 Richmond, Surrey," it would appear that he was already 
 established under Mr. James's roof. 
 
 A hiatus of more than six months occurs at this point 
 in the letters of the two brothers, no doubt because, with 
 so short a distance dividing them, they frequently met. 
 I think it must have been in this year, 1776, and probably 
 at the house of Mr. Smith, that George first met Miss 
 Townsend. Like many young ladies of her day, she 
 drew a little, and George undertook to guide her 
 efforts. He must have written to her, a letter mainly 
 of artistic instruction, after she left London, and she 
 must have replied before September the 17th. A very 
 neatly written letter to her of that date appears in the 
 collection, where its presence indicates that it can hardly 
 have been the final copy. It contains sundry erasures 
 and corrections which may have rendered it, in the writer's 
 opinion, too untidy for the eye of his fair correspondent. 
 
 Now believe me Miss Townsend I am much beholden 
 to you for the favor of that easy and obliging Letter I 
 reced last night at M^ Smiths, where I was so fortunate 
 to call the moment y^ packet arrived. To say the truth 
 
112 
 
 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 I conceived I had been troblesome, in taking advantage 
 of 7' ready permission to write, by loading you with 
 precepts you might not now have any inclination to 
 practise. In short I felt as one may be allowed to feel, 
 who imagines he has abused a liberty — but this sets 
 every thing to rights — 
 
 To hear any Lett^^ have been acceptable conveys a 
 satisfaction, the addition " that they were worthy of 
 more than one perusal," confers an obligation the most 
 flattering ; — and tho you tell me you have not practised 
 my instructions I am pleased — because I am convinced 
 by it you have not been distressed for amusement : — 
 But I am not to go on thus these elevations are to be 
 lower'd, and you in a manner dash my satisfaction by 
 accusing me of flattery, a vice to which I am the most 
 averse, and which those who have conversed with me 
 most have join'd to acquit me of — 
 
 I was going to say you had wronged me there — but 
 I recant — I am, on consideration convinced / was to 
 blame — if I had penetrated your character at all, 
 I should studiously have concealed the opinion I had 
 formed, and not have paid a tribute of praise where a 
 system of abasement was adopted. 
 
 I am one of those singular people who would rather 
 have their judgment suspected than their honesty, and 
 of this be assured my characteristic!?: Indolence, will 
 secure me at all times from soliciting a correspondence 
 of mere compliments. 
 
 Apropos of correspondences, — ^you perhaps suspect I 
 am endeavouring to draw you into one — that I am not 
 so disinterested as I appear to be — and that the price 
 of my instructions is to be dearly paid with the loss of 
 your time. — I will confess it was my wish, but I deny 
 that it was my only motive ; I was more than once going 
 to acknowledge it in my former Letter— and I have been 
 thinking since we are too scrupulous in these affairs — 
 In asking a correspondence we are afraid of the demand, 
 when in fact it is no more than requesting your con- 
 versation — and why should you refuse us that conver- 
 
The Cumberland Letters 113 
 
 sation at a distance which you would Hberally indulge 
 when present with us ? — my motives for requesting such 
 a favor from you, Madam, are perhaps selfish as I propose 
 to myself a satisfaction from it, yet depend on it I am 
 not so impertinent as to demand, I only petition that 
 when a few minutes can be most conveniently spared, 
 you will not think them thrown away, in directing me 
 a line. Every one here is rejoiced at the recovery of 
 your health — and the spirits which you say accompanies 
 it — the best assurance of a continuance — but my brother 
 who the other week was at Bristol was not a little 
 chagrin'd (when I told him he might have seen 
 you there) at having lost an opportunity of paying his 
 respects. 
 
 M's Smith desires I will thank you in her name for 
 y^ Letter, and says she is intirely pleased with the 
 apern : — she has lately met with a troblesome accident, 
 last friday sevenight in getting out of a Coach at M^ 
 Tapp's door, her foot slipped and threw her down 
 against the threshold ; the force of the fall cut her 
 knee, and bruised it much, so that it was not before 
 last Sunday that she could get out of her bed — ^Truly 
 this amiable woman has put in practice all that the 
 stoicks have made such a talk about, yet not from a 
 regard for their doctrines but merely from a goodness 
 of disposition habitual to her. 
 
 I have enclosed the ticket, you did me the honor to 
 commission me to purchase, and shall really think my 
 self a lucky man if it should turn out a prize I have 
 marked the price on the back, and will take the first 
 opportunity of discharge N & H's Bill. M^* Smith's 
 family my Mother etc congratulate you on the new 
 acquisition to yours, and I request of you. Madam, to 
 believe that no one is more sincerely at y^ service, than is 
 
 o ^ ^ G. Cumberland. 
 
 Cief 17. 1776. 
 
 Richard, on October the 15th, wrote in some uncer- 
 tainty as to his movements in the immediate future. 
 Mr. James had gone to " Brighthelmstone " and 
 
 H 
 
114 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 talks o£ fetching us there i£ He likes the place. Before 
 He went He turn'd awa^ the Children's Maid, for behav- 
 ing disrespectfully to Me, tho without my even knowing 
 the Occasion for it. ... A Relation of M^ James 
 a Lady . . . called on Me this Morn^ to beg me to 
 procure for her perusal, a 4° Book lately publishd by 
 a M^ Gibbons, to which (not being Orthodox) some 
 Bishop has lately wrote an answer ; this is all the De- 
 scription I have. The Price is a Guinea. She wont 
 buy it, but is willing to give a Crown for the reading of 
 it, so if You can borrow it at your Library or elsewhere 
 pray do. 
 
 In November Richard was taking steps for his ordina- 
 tion as priest, and the testimonial sent in to the Bishop 
 of Gloucester, with all its assurances concerning his 
 sobriety of life and soundness of doctrine, has been 
 carefully preserved and put into its chronological place. 
 On a Thursday in that month — the blurred postmark 
 indicates a double number for the date — ^he wrote to 
 his brother in some vexation. The Bishop — it was 
 William Warburton — had made some 
 
 objections to the Papers sent, and further required 
 a Certificate of My Intention of taking Orders having 
 been pubhshed in the Church on a Sunday and a presenta- 
 tion to Driffield. 
 
 Driffield and Harnhill, in Gloucestershire, were the 
 livings to which Mr. Smith had promised to present 
 Richard. By December the 12th all obstacles must 
 have been cleared away, for he was able to write from 
 Cambridge : 
 
 on Sunday next at seven o Clock shall be ordained 
 Priest with about twenty others in Trinity Chapel. 
 
 He proposed to return to London on the Monday and 
 to proceed to Gloucestershire — presumably to Driffield 
 
The Cumberland hetters 115 
 
 — on " Teusday." On December the 27th, however, 
 he was still at Cambridge, whence he wrote to his 
 brother (by the title of " Dear Sub-Sec ") to thank 
 him for 
 
 Your welcome Intelligence and to assure that had a 
 little Bishoprick been presented to Me I could not have 
 exulted more sincerely than I now do at your late Success, 
 in spite of so many Obstacles as seemed to oppose it 
 ... it is a most convincing Proof that your Interest 
 in the Company is very considerable and you are now 
 placed in a Situation where you will have many Oppor- 
 tunities of improving that Interest and making a further 
 use of it — add to this that your Colleague in Office is a 
 Man of Character and one whose acquaintance I could 
 wish you to cultivate as much as possible. 
 
 The first letter of the new year (1777) comes from 
 George, who was at the time overwhelmed with affairs : 
 
 A business for Cotton, My Ground Rents — my 
 Account with M^ Cross — a siezure to make for Ground 
 Rents &c. &c. have kept me constantly employed — in 
 Short all my own private affairs go to pot in the Mean 
 time — I shall certainly lose ^10 this Xmas for want of 
 time to consider how to apply, and tho I have wrote a 
 letter to M^ Long for his Assistance shall not have time 
 to copy it. 
 
 So busy was he that he was obliged to send a message 
 which I am sure he would have preferred to write himself. 
 
 If you see Miss Townsend tell her her ticket is a 
 Blank — I have no time to write. 
 
 The unused page of this letter has been used at a 
 later time by Richard for the draft of a letter of thanks 
 to somebody for a present of " a Dozen of Arrack," 
 a " Liquor my Mother is very fond of." 
 
 Richard had returned early in the year to his pupils 
 
 \ 
 
ii6 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 at Ham, whence, on January the 14th, he wrote the 
 following letter : 
 
 Dear George, 
 
 I thought to have seen you this Week and to 
 have done a little Business in Town, but M^ James 
 when I mention'd it proposed taking Joseph to Town 
 with us, so I turn'd it off and said next week would do 
 as well, for I hate to have the Children separated and 
 used to so unsettled a way of Life — I wrote this morning 
 to a Clerk in the First Fruits Office to enquire whether 
 Driffilde is discharged or not and expect an answer 
 tomorrow — Dined at M' Cross last Thursday, since 
 when we have had a house full of company till this 
 morning when M^ James took them all to Town with 
 him and has left me in peaceable possession of my little 
 Pupils. He has said many civil things lately and wishes 
 me to stay with him till I go to Driffilde, so shall endeavor 
 to avoid going to College next month if possible, and 
 after going to Driffilde till Lady Day or later. As yet 
 he has engaged nobody to succeed me and when I 
 proposed James to him as the only person I knew that 
 woud suit him, he only objected to his being of the same 
 name, so that I much doubt if he is serious in that 
 Intention. At present there is no small Prospect of 
 my having the Children home with me, if not imme- 
 diately, yet as soon as he finds his present scheme im- 
 practicable which he certainly will do in a short time. 
 When I see a proper opportunity I shall lay the following 
 plan before him. That if he will intrust the children to 
 my care I will make my House fit for their Reception, 
 and his, when he pleases to come down, and will engage 
 a Gentleman whom he approves to Hve in the House 
 and assist me in the care of them and the three Churches, 
 by which means I shall be able to bring one or both of 
 them on a visit to him whenever or as long as he choses, 
 for which shall expect at least 150 or 200 a year, this 
 scheme suits his prevailing passion so much that if 
 he cannot keep them at home with him I know he will 
 readily adopt it. But this twixt ourselves. If you 
 
The Cumberland Letters 1 1 7 
 
 receive a Certificate from College either make use of it 
 or keep it till I come if any Letters send them by M^ 
 James and pray look in all the new Catalogues of Old 
 Books for Doddridges Family Devotions, and let me 
 know the Price. M^ James will be down on friday or 
 Saturday, when shall expect to see your hand at least 
 Pray remember me a notre Mere M^' & M^s Smith etc 
 I am Dear George, 
 
 Your very sincere Friend 
 
 that is, more than Brother, 
 
 R. D. Cumberland. 
 Ham. 14 Jan^ 1777. 
 
 M^ Geo: Cumberland, 
 
 Exchange Insurance, 
 London. 
 
 A fortnight later the young tutor, as ^' a humble 
 Imitator " of his brother, was " setting about a Back 
 Gammon Table." He had " bespoke a Mahogany 
 Bottom, which shall inlay with white and Black." He 
 therefore, as usual, requested George to make the neces- 
 sary purchases for him of various pieces of shaped wood. 
 
 A letter from George, addressed to his brother " At 
 Jno. James Esq^® Ham Common," probably belongs to 
 this season. He was expecting to come to Richmond 
 some Sunday with Mr. Cross (who had a house at Rich- 
 mond called " The Hill ") 
 
 to consult about placing some pictures over the 
 Chimney in the new room ... he has made me a present 
 of T. Jones, Jos. Andrews &c lately and has discoverd 
 a Mahogany Cheese Tray for you, and also intends to 
 present you with the two India Pictures over the Chimney 
 peice in the Back room at Richmond with all the apurte- 
 nances. 
 
 The time was now approaching when Richard might 
 hope to be settled in his own parsonage and his own 
 parish. Dr. Bray, I think, must have already left, and 
 
ii8 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 his place was being supplied by a Mr. Dyer, a friend of 
 Richard's. The new vicar began, as he wrote on Feb- 
 ruary the 25th, " to turn my thoughts entirely towards 
 Driffield where I hope to be settled about the middle of 
 April." As to furnishing, he rather hoped that Dr. 
 Bray might leave his goods at least until Midsummer, 
 in which case Richard might make use of them for the 
 time, " and buy mine at Bristol, for as I cannot spare 
 more than thirty pounds for that purpose we must go 
 the cheapest way to work." He calculated that his 
 income for the year, after payment of taxes, would not 
 exceed ;^ioo, " but hope in a few Years to add another 
 ^50 without starving the Livings or quarrelling with 
 my Flock." The father of his pupils had now " entered 
 into an [enjgagement with a Gentleman of Magdalen 
 to suceed your humble servant," but this successor being 
 unable to take up his new work before Easter, Mr. James 
 desired that Richard should remain at Ham until after 
 that festival, and Richard had consented ; " in all 
 which," remarks the young man, '' I think he has behaved 
 very genteelly." 
 
 The next two letters belong to the same period, and, 
 although their substance is trivial, they are characteristic. 
 
 Cirencester March 8 77. 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I was just about to take up the Pen to write to 
 you when your Letter was put into my Hand. 
 
 I yesterday rec:^ a Letter from a worthy Friend in 
 Hampshire who has obtained for me, (all things con- 
 sidered) the most elegible Curacy in the Kingdom, but 
 which the Incumbent wants supply'd the latter end of 
 this, or the begining of next month. I hope therefore 
 you will not be displeased if I beg you to come down as 
 soon as you possibly can get according to your proposal 
 not to exceed the time I mention, as from my connexions 
 
The Cumberland Letters 119 
 
 in that part &c my accepting the Cure will be of the 
 utmost consequence, let me have a Line, as soon as pos- 
 sible that I may proceed accordingly. If you have any 
 thoughts of Proctor Curacy write what you would have 
 me say on the subject to M^ Hanbury. I am distressed 
 much concerning some Business I undertook to do for 
 M' Smith, having some apprehensions of my own when 
 I returned, I ask'd the advice of a Friend who knows 
 the Timbrels disposition and he thought it would be very 
 imprudent to transact the Business unless M^ Smith 
 commissiond me by a Letter which I could put into 
 
 Z s hand, otherwise not all the world would be able 
 
 to convince them that I had not officiously taken the 
 Business voluntary from or said something to set M^ 
 Smith against him ; and having such an opinion of the 
 matter would certainly do me some ill turn. Give 
 therefore my most respectful Compliments to M^ Smith, 
 tell him my reasons for wishing to decline the transaction 
 of such Business, unless authorized as above and I could 
 wish he would not mention in the Letter, having had 
 any conversation with me before on the subject. Apolo- 
 gize for me in as handsome a manner as you can, for 
 there is no Gentleman I would with greater Pleasure 
 oblige, than M^ Smith, and am willing to do so in this 
 affair, but I must not put in my Enemy's power to Kindle 
 up a Flame afresh which I hope is almost extinguish'd. 
 Stand my Friend in this and set it in the proper Light 
 for it would hurt me exceedingly to be thought worse 
 than my word &c. My most respectful Compliments 
 to your Mother and Brother & beleive me Dear Sir, 
 
 Your sincere Friend 
 
 and obedient Servant, 
 
 W". Dyer. 
 
 Teusday ii March. 
 Dear George, 
 
 Tho I am never sorry to see your hand writing 
 I was nearly as much surprized at receiving so speedy 
 an answer to my last, as you could be at the demand of 
 it. You might well be at a loss to see the necessity — 
 
I20 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 the truth is it was either a piece o£ officiousness in the 
 Waterman or one of WilUams blunders. — 
 
 I have just received the enclosed Letter from Dyer, 
 and must beg of you to serve him, as much as you can 
 in that part of it which relates to M^ Smith. The 
 case is this. Timbrel, a mercer in Ciceter, used to re- 
 ceive M^ Smiths Rent etc but having lately been ex- 
 tremely dilatory & negligent M^ Smith desir'd M' 
 Dyer when in Town to do that business for him, and 
 Dyer, pleased with the commission, without considering 
 the consequence, promis'd I suppose to do it. Now it 
 happens that D & T. being upon very ill Terms together, 
 what the former says in his Letter, is not without 
 foundation — and as I shall be at Driffelde so soon, 
 I hope M"^ Smith will excuse his declining it, and employ 
 me in future to transact his Business. — Let me have 
 an answer, as soon as you can, that I may be able to 
 releive Dyer from his perplexity, and pray make my 
 respectful Compt^ to M^ & M^s Smith. — 
 
 I receiv'd your Letter by M^ James and wrote to Gilpin 
 accordingly. If you see M'^ James you may acquaint 
 him with the former part of Dyers Letter, as it concerns 
 my leaving him — he has wrote to my successor to come 
 to him the 15*^ of next month, so that I may go down 
 within a Sunday or two of the Time mention'd I am very 
 unwilling to refuse the offer of Preston as it will be con- 
 venient at present, and I coud wish to keep it, for a 
 Friend, if I cannot hold it myself but of this shall 
 consider further — 
 
 I am Dear Brother, 
 
 Yours in haste, 
 
 R. D. Cumberland. 
 
 George, the ever-serviceable, waited on Mr. Smith 
 the very next day, and " after an hour's conversation " 
 convinced him that a letter to Mr. Dyer was necessary, 
 wrote a suitable one, got Mr. Smith's signature to it, 
 and posted it away to the anxious clergyman at Ciren- 
 cester. 
 
The Cumberland Letters 
 
 121 
 
 On April the 9th the younger brother heard from 
 Mr. James that his senior would conclude his tutorship 
 within the next fortnight, and thereupon offered the 
 following highly characteristic counsel : 
 
 Before you clap your hand to the plough, I would 
 advise a little of the Town diversions if it is but to make 
 you despise them, as I almost do. There is one tho I 
 have not yet seen where I think you might contrive to 
 meet me, and go afterwards to Ham, I mean Ranelagh 
 w^ is now open. But whether I meet you at Ranelagh 
 or at less crowded places, depend on it you will be the 
 chief part of the company. 
 
 Driffield, which lies in a tableland of the Cots wolds, 
 is probably very much such a village to-day as it was 
 when Richard Cumberland rode towards it from London, 
 full of hopes and plans. He came, doubtless, by the 
 good road that runs from Oxford through Swindon — 
 a rural Swindon innocent of railroads — to Cirencester, 
 turned to his left opposite the house of Cam Court, 
 of which he was one day to become owner, and took the 
 lane that passes through Harnhill to Driffield. Gentle 
 J green hills, a brook and bridge, copses and meadows 
 • met his eyes, as they meet those of the motorists who 
 follow him a century and a half later. At the end of 
 a mile and a half or so, he must have observed, on his 
 left, the spire of Harnhill, the second of his two churches ; 
 and about a mile farther on came to his destination, with 
 the vicarage of Driffield on one side of the road and the 
 churchyard gate, shadowed by an old yew, on the 
 other. The church must always have been ugly, and 
 at that tinfb had the further defect of being new. I 
 hasten to add, lest antiquarian regrets should be aroused 
 by this statement, that for the preceding edifice even a 
 county historian could find no higher praise than that 
 
122 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 of being " strong and neat." Of the existing building, 
 which was to be Richard's charge for eight-and-forty 
 years, the same description remains true. The vicarage 
 must have been pretty and unpretentious then as it is 
 still — possibly, indeed, prettier, since the addition 
 made by the new vicar himself is by no means beautiful. 
 There must have been an earlier letter written by 
 him from Driffield than the first that appears. This is 
 dated May the ist, and is somewhat dilapidated. 
 
 Dear George, 
 
 Tho I am sensible there is nothing you hate more 
 than Letters of Business, yet I must crave your patience 
 a while till all my little wants are supplied, and you 
 have executed my Comniissions. The Letter I wrote 
 on Monday was merely to satisfy you I got safe down, 
 and was done in such haste that I can scarce remember 
 what I said and forgot several things I ought to have 
 mention'd. As for D^ B s behavior, it was no more 
 than what I had reason to expect, and so far from being 
 vexed at it, I am rather pleased, as there is nothing 
 here I could wish to buy except the Beds ; and since 
 he has treated me with so little Ceremony I shall know 
 how to proceed with respect to Delapidations, which if 
 I am not much mistaken will more than make amends. 
 I found the house very clean and well aired, and my little 
 Farm and Garden in good order. Every thing here is 
 very backward, owing to the cold winds and dry weather, 
 but a warm Rain yesterday and today promises to set every 
 thing to rights and make our Fields both laugh and sing. 
 
 We have a [ ] little trout stream running 
 
 through some meadows about half a mile off, much 
 like Duxford River, with some Mills upon it, but have 
 not yet had time to throw a Line. I find too many 
 repairs wanting to admit of any alterations or Improve- 
 ments, of which could make several if I had nothing 
 else to do with my money, but first let's talk of getting 
 it. The Farmers are all extremely civil, but at the same 
 
The Cumberland Letters 123 
 
 time seem much charm'd with the notion that I mean to 
 take my Tithes in kind, partly from my coming to settle 
 among them and seeming fond of farming, and still 
 more on account of my silence on that head, and making 
 no complaints. You may be sure I do not endeavor 
 to lessen their suspicion from whatever it may have 
 arose, as it will be of infinite use when I come to offer 
 them a new composition which I shall not do until I 
 have put myself precisely in a situation to take up my 
 tithes if they reject it, however shall proceed with great 
 caution and do nothing without the advice of those, 
 who are acquainted with this Business, and are neither 
 prejudiced or interested. Horses are easier to be hired 
 than Saddles, so pray put mine, with Bridles, Boots 
 what Shoes I left, and any thing you can think of, that 
 I shall want, of that kind into a Basket or Hamper and 
 send by Masters Waggon, directed to me at Driffelde, 
 to be left at W°^ Tylers, Easington near Cicester. I 
 shall be glad to have the table Spoons & Tea Spoons 
 (which I quite forgot, and am not certain whether they 
 are in Town or College) sent with the case of Knives and 
 Forks. I shall endeavor to buy a Dozen cheap Chairs, 
 which with the six matted chairs from Town will be 
 sufficient. Then there is a Table 2 Chests of Drawers 
 3 Glasses and the Press Bed to come down, to which 
 must add two Featherbeds Bolsters and Pillows, second 
 hand will do if good of the kind. The Bedsteads I can 
 get made here, my Mother has Furniture for one for 
 herself. The other will do without for me till we have 
 Time to make it up at home : a few fire irons is all we shall 
 want besides for the parlors & Bedrooms. As for the 
 Kitchen Furniture such as spits and Ironwork it may be 
 had here, but wish my Mother woud send down what 
 pewter Brass and coppers she may have, with every thing 
 she thinks will be of any use in a Family and worth [ ] 
 which it is impossible for me at present [ ] indeed 
 you may easily judge what I shall [ ] when I tell you, 
 I have nothing here but [ ] brought down with me, 
 as the Doctor will [ ] for every thing away sometime 
 
124 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 in this month. From several circumstances I have great 
 
 Reason to think that D^ B is unwilling to let me have 
 
 his furniture for fear the payment shoud be justly 
 
 stopt for Delapidations, if so it is a good hint & I shall 
 
 see if any thing can be made of it. Shall take care to 
 
 have the Barn & Stables at D. surveyed at the same 
 
 Time with the Church at Harnhill which M' Smith 
 
 desired me to have examined. Cannot speak to the 
 
 Waggoner about the pig and pigeons till next week 
 
 when shall either write to M^ James or get you to let 
 
 him know when or where to send them. Remember 
 
 me to all Friends and beleive me, dear George your 
 
 sincere Friend & Brother, 
 
 R. D. Cumberland. 
 
 I May 77. 
 
 Direct to me at the post office Cicester. 
 
 Great rejoicings are making by the Chester party 
 a large Ox is to be roasted whole in the market place at 
 Cirencester and a proportional quantity of Beer to wash 
 it down. Every village too where the Esq^ happens to 
 be for Chester are making merry. Fortunately Driffielde 
 and Harnhill are unconcerned in this Bustle, so I keep 
 myself quiet at home, and being of no party in this 
 affair hope to stand well with both. 
 
 M^ Geo: Cumberland, 
 
 Exchange Insurance, 
 London. 
 
 George, delayed by a week's indisposition — apparently 
 what would be called in these days a " liver chill " — 
 was soon busy doing all that was asked of him ; but 
 Richard had, in the meanwhile, written also to his 
 mother. 
 
 Dear Mother, 
 
 I have wrote two Letters to George since I 
 came down, which hope you have received, as they will 
 acquaint you with the change is made in my situation 
 with regard to furniture, on account of the D^'s un- 
 accountable behavior, he has altered his mind so often 
 
The Cumberland Letters 125 
 
 in that affair that I begin to suspect there is something 
 more in it than mere whim, however it will make but 
 little difference to us whether we have his goods or not, 
 if you will give me your assistance in providing what 
 is just necessary at first setting out in a plain, decent 
 manner and for that purpose I will endeavor to give 
 you an Idea of what will be necessary to be sent down 
 as soon as possible as D^ B talks of sending for his some 
 time in this month, tho I have wrote to desire he will 
 give me a weeks notice and hope it will not be before 
 the latter end. The Rooms I must furnish are, the 
 Kitchen a parlor, a study : 2 Bedrooms, one for you, 
 the other for myself, and a servants Room, I need not 
 tell you what will be wanting in the Kitchen, some 
 few things you have (if they want it, they had best be 
 repair'd and sent down in Hampers) the rest we may 
 buy here very reasonable. For the parlor we have a 
 Glass and Carpet, there is a Stove fixed. Chairs and 
 Tables I can procure in the Country, the Study too I 
 shall furnish myself. For your Room, which has blue 
 and white paper, you have the Furniture of a Bed, 
 a Glass and chest of Drawers, so need only buy a Bedstead 
 and Bedding, the former as plain as you please but new, 
 the latter you may meet with second hand ; or if I 
 knew the size I woud get the Bedstead made here. 
 Blankets and sheets you have the Six chairs stained will 
 serve the two rooms. For mine, there is an old Bedstead 
 with green Curtains which the D^ found in the House 
 and intends to leave so that you need only buy me a 
 Featherbed Bolster etc of the common size, which will 
 serve me for the present. You have a Chest of Drawers 
 and may get a new plate put in the old frame for a glass 
 — My Brother can spare me two of the Tables whichever 
 they are I wish you would get them clean'd and repaired 
 before they come down. Whatever China too he can 
 possibly spare you must bring with you. Your Press 
 Bed is compleat for a servant, at first setting out, and will 
 always be useful as a spare Bed. I mention these things 
 that we may know what each has to do in providing 
 
126 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 Furniture and act in concert. The sooner you send 
 down every thing you can well spare, the Better, as I 
 do not know how soon I may be stript of Furniture, 
 and do not wish to be beholden to D^ Bray for his any 
 longer than I can help. I know my dear Mother will 
 say this is all very right, but how is it to be done, where 
 is the money to come from ? It is true there is a great 
 deal to be done and very little to do it with — my Ex- 
 pences at this time are on all accounts at the greatest 
 — and my Income much less than it is ever likely to be, 
 and yet if I could wish to improve it, appearances must 
 be kept up, and no signs of poverty must appear, or all 
 my hopes on that head (and they are at present extremely 
 flattering) will be ruined. Something I have great reason 
 to expect from D^ B for Delapidations, but cannot sue 
 for it immediately, and about 30^ for the last half 
 year is due for Driffeld, but it will be proper to defer 
 receiving it, till I have determined in what manner to 
 proceed as to raising the Tithes, and besides that must 
 be set apart to keep house with till Mich^ when a whole 
 year will be due at Harnhill and half a year at Drif. — 
 But this is nothing to the purpose, you are sensible 
 of the necessity of my keeping House, of my furnishing 
 it immediately, this may be done at a small expence 
 with what we have already, but even that is more than 
 I can bear at present, without running into Debt, unless 
 you will endeavor to help me out by applying some part 
 of what remains after the account is settled with M^ 
 Tapp towards defraying your expences in coming down, 
 and purchasing the Things the two Beds only I men- 
 tion'd above, as it is not in my power to remit a single 
 shiUing for that purpose, without leaving myself in a 
 situation the most disagreable, that of having nothing 
 to defray incidental expences, which arise every day, 
 or borrowing money in a place where I am scarcely 
 known. If you have so mean an opinion of me as to 
 think I mean to lessen the little you have left by taking 
 anything from you, which I shall not have it in my 
 power to return, I am sorry for it. My intention in 
 
The Cumberland Letters 127 
 
 bringing you down here, is to enable you to live in a 
 more comfortable quiet manner than you have hitherto 
 done, and therefore I think you are as much interested 
 in our setting out as myself, with good management 
 and frugality we may do very well. I cannot boast 
 much of the former, but in point of frugality have 
 practis'd as much for the last twelvemonth as any one 
 of my age could do, or should not be in so good a situa- 
 tion as I find myself at present, being free from Debts 
 of every Kind, and if it was not for this awkward affair 
 of Furniture as much beforehand as I need wish — Take 
 notice, this Letter was wrote on a cloudy afternoon or 
 it woud not have been so serious and grave, tis a subject 
 I hate so let us drop it. I walked to Cicester yesterday 
 and saw Miss Small, who told me she had a Letter from 
 you — they were quite out of spirits about the turn the 
 Election has taken, so I left them, and dined at Timbrels. 
 He is going to town to . . . and intends to call on 
 M^ Smith, of whom he speaks with the utmost respect, 
 but thinks, and with reason, that he has not been well 
 used either by Dyer or Howel, by whom M' Smith must 
 certainly have been prejudiced against him. I hope 
 they will meet and settle the affair on its right footing, 
 as they are old acquaintances, and I was introduced 
 there by M' Smith. Lady Coleraine is expected next 
 week, and I shall probably have the pleasure of intro- 
 ducing you to her — indeed I think you will be good 
 company for each other, tho there is a farmers wife and 
 Daughter next Door, who drank tea with me on Sunday, 
 and I think you will find them agreable neighbours. 
 
 My paper is just out, and I have to walk 2 miles with 
 this to the post, so must wish you a good night and con- 
 clude with assuring you that I am dear Mother, 
 Your very dutiful and affec*® Son, 
 
 R. D. Cumberland. 
 Dryfield &^ May JJ. 
 
 M^s EHz: Cumberland, 
 
 M^s Spawtons No. 37 
 
 Friday Street, 
 
 London, 
 
128 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 On the 13th George wrote that his mother had, 
 almost ever since receiving this the above letter, 
 
 been employd in searching for a cheap Bed for you 
 but to no purpose, as the upholders will not sell such a 
 thing under 10 or 12 pounds, and at sales they are seldom 
 to be met with without Blanketts &c. You hint in your 
 Lett^ that your expences are at the greatest and your 
 income so small as to reduce you to the necessity of 
 borrowing if you were to pay for the feather Bed &c, 
 and you propose to my Mother to pay for it, and her 
 expences in coming down, out of the Stock to be sold, 
 after defraying her debt to M^ Tapp. I could have 
 wished you had not mentioned the circumstance as it 
 has given her some uneasyness, being unable, as you must 
 be convinced, to pay for it now, and besides the uncer- 
 tainty of getting it sold at all, there is a probability it 
 may all be wanting to discharge M^ Tapp's account — 
 however should this not be the case, you may I think 
 be sure she will not refuse it you for any purpose you 
 may want it for. I am now doing every thing in my 
 power to get it done, and cheerfully, I assure you, will 
 I give my release to my future claim. 
 
 George had hoped that his brother's savings during 
 his residence with Mr. James would have covered the 
 expenses of settling in at Driffield, and regrets that his 
 own small salary has not permitted him to lay up any 
 " fund." On the subject of his mother, he adds : 
 
 One thing I must observe. You should by no means 
 look on her coming down as an expence. It will at the 
 years end, turn out a saving, which I have experienced 
 even here in this extravagant place, altho house rent 
 is so dear and I had not the additional ^20 till last 
 year ; what she will bring with her in cloaths will be 
 sufficient to appear genteel for some length of time 
 and her ^20 a year will more than pay for her board. 
 
 I have not been able to arrive at any definite view as 
 
Mrs. Elizabeth Cumberland 
 
 Aged 62 
 
The Cumberland Letters 129 
 
 to Mrs. Cumberland's financial position, but I think 
 the case must have been somewhat of this kind : Certain 
 stock had been left to her (I surmise by her mother, 
 or possibly under her father's will), and Mr. Tapp and 
 Mr. Man, her brother-in-law, were her trustees. Mr. 
 Man had disappeared — under what circumstances I 
 have not the smallest idea, but in those days of press- 
 gangs, Algerian slavery and very indifferent postal 
 facilities the fact was not necessarily by any means 
 discreditable — and in his absence Mrs. Cumberland 
 had not been able to receive her dividends. Mr. Tapp, 
 knowing the money to be safe, had made those advances 
 to her that were absolutely needed for the family's 
 support ; and it was now proposed that steps should 
 be taken to enable her to sell her stock and repay him. 
 To George's slightly censorious letter Richard replied 
 by return of post, explaining that he 
 
 never thought of taking anything of my Mother 
 which I did not intend to return and that only to the 
 amount of ten or twelve Pounds at the most . . . 
 neither shoud I have done this if my mother herself 
 had not told me, she should have about ^80 left when the 
 account was settled. 
 
 Each brother had evidently taken rather amiss the 
 behaviour of the other, and was a little aggrieved, 
 George on his mother's account, and Richard on his 
 own. 
 
 Next in order comes a letter from Dr. Bray, who dates 
 from Exeter College, and fulfils Richard's anticipations 
 by not having expected 
 
 after my expensive Civilities to the Livings of Driffield 
 and Harnhill to be called upon for Dilapidations ; 
 especially as I am not apprehensive that the Barn, 
 
I30 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 Stable and Brewhouse are in such a ruinous State as you 
 represent. 
 
 However, he did not, as obviously he legally could not, 
 *' decline giving you reasonable Satisfaction." 
 
 On the 23rd Richard was writing to his mother to 
 thank her for a letter just received, and to express his 
 astonishment at 
 
 what you tell me of M^^ Man's refusing to serve you 
 in seUing out the Stock ... as it can never be of any 
 use to her Family and must proceed from malice and ill- 
 nature, tho I much doubt the sincerity of your Uncle 
 in endeavouring to persuade her to it. However let 
 it turn out as it will, you have no need to make yourself 
 uneasy about it, as it will remain full security to M^ 
 Tapp, and we shall do very well, never fear. 
 
 This uncle of Mrs. Cumberland's was, I think, John 
 Balchen, possibly the husband of "Mrs. Balchen of 
 Goodman's Fields," whose death is mentioned. Her 
 other uncle, Henry, and her father, both carried on their 
 occupations in the Minories — in their day a thoroughfare 
 very respectably inhabited. In Goodman's Fields the 
 houses were, like many of those then standing in Mile 
 End, excellent and substantial residences, with gardens. 
 The fact of Mrs. Man's living in Mile End, where Mrs. 
 Cumberland possessed a house, suggests that their father, 
 the " druggist and apothecary " had acquired property 
 in the East End of London. Mrs. Man had clearly 
 been asked, either to take action as her husband's 
 representative, or to make a declaration from which 
 his death might be presumed. True to her invariable 
 character in the correspondence of her nephews, 
 she had behaved ungraciously and had refused. Harry 
 Man, whom we have seen assisting George to placard 
 the City with political bills of their own composition, 
 
 N N 
 
The Cumberland Letters 131 
 
 was about to marry a lady whose Christian name was 
 Eleanor and whose surname does not appear. Richard 
 observed of the match that it was 
 
 a good one — because it is as equal as any thing of this 
 kind can be, tis a toss up which has the best of the 
 Bargain. 
 
 He begged his mother not to concern herself 
 
 on account of my situation as to furniture, very little 
 will serve us at first setting out and things will be better 
 bye and bye. 
 
 He had been adding to his stock, not from " Ciceter,'' 
 where he could find nothing to please him, but from 
 Gloucester, where he had bespoken some chairs, bought 
 a bed " of the best mill puff Flock," and " cheapend a 
 great many things which can send for if I want them,^ 
 He had also ' 
 
 bespoke a Bedstead for the Blue Bed [by this term 
 he means the elaborate draperies required by the fashion 
 of the time] which am determined to fit up as neat 
 as I can, since there will be no other for M^ Smith 
 when he comes down. ... I begin to wish for you more 
 than ever, but cannot think of seeing you here before 
 things are in some order and our House furnished, 
 it would neither be to my credit or satisfaction. . . 
 When you come down we must take a Servant and keep 
 House in a regular, decent Stile, and I have not a doubt 
 we shall be able to make the pot boil and have a Barrel 
 of as good Ale in the Cellar as any in Glostershire, so 
 pray keep up your Spirits and if you cannot settle affairs 
 in Town to your mind, e'en leave it and think no mord 
 about them. 
 
 A postscript adds : 
 
 liOve to George and tell him if I took anything 
 wrong I have forgot it by this time and there need 
 be no more said about it. 
 
132 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 Evidently the rather captious spirit which seems to 
 have been the besetting weakness of the Cumberland 
 temperament was in abeyance when Richard wrote 
 this kindly letter. George, who had probably not yet 
 received the reconciliatory message, was in a condition 
 of mind best to be described, perhaps, by the word 
 " huffy " when on May the 27th he wrote thus to his 
 brother : 
 
 Your last to me seemed to be wrote in the hurry of 
 misconception. I will not tell you it was an agreable one, 
 and it came the more untowardly, as by being directed 
 home I was obliged to let my mother read the contents, 
 which you might have supposed would afford her no 
 pleasure, and naturally made her suspect I had in my 
 last (which from the nature of the subject it was impos- 
 sible I should show her) treated you in a harsh unjustifiable 
 manner. ... I approve your frankness, in convincing 
 me by this method, how disagreeable it is to you, when 
 I mention your affairs, and that I shall never dip my pen 
 in Ink for such a purpose, unless you desire it. 
 
 As to some complaints of the way in which various 
 articles had been sent, he could but say that 
 
 every one of them should have been properly packed 
 if I could have prevailed — and but for my exerting a 
 little activity you would not I believe have had any of 
 them yet. ... It was not until yesterday I was able to 
 convince my mother it would be impossible to send the 
 Chests of Drawers full of things ! 
 
 In short, poor George, between his impatient and 
 somewhat exacting brother, on the one hand, and his 
 dilatory, over-economical mother, on the other, must have 
 spent a pretty uncomfortable month. From the list 
 of objects that he enumerates as about to be despatched 
 to Driffield we may judge him to have been generously 
 
The Cumberland Letters 133 
 
 disregardful of his interests and willing to have his rooms 
 left bare for the better supplying of the vicarage. 
 Moreover, his benevolent attempts in another direction 
 had not brought him much satisfaction. 
 
 I went this morning to Mile End to persuade M^^^ 
 Man to oblige us by swearing &c (John having told me, 
 he had now explained to her all we wanted and that 
 she would comply). I met him just by the house and he 
 went back with me to lend his assistance, but instead of 
 agreeing, she broke out into complaints that I and my 
 Mother had treated her with disrespect, in not calling 
 on her, before letting her Uncle know &c, &c, and in 
 the end bounced out of the Room, and John and I 
 out of the House of course, I am much beholden to 
 John for the pains he takes to serve us in this affair, 
 and sorry it has rendered his time in London so dis- 
 agreeable. 
 
 A letter had been received from Mr. Gooch containing 
 no news beyond a statement that all were well. Its 
 bearer, however, had supplemented it by the information 
 that Mr. Gooch " was taken prisoner and carried into 
 Boston but allowed to depart." He further said that 
 " when he left America their situation was very dis- 
 tressing and everything intolerably dear." 
 
 Richard, in reply, opined Mrs. Man's behaviour 
 to be 
 
 such that I cannot account for it in a more charitable 
 way, than by supposing her a little disorded in her 
 head. 
 
 In a letter postmarked, apparently, June the 6th, 
 George sent a list of articles despatched to Driffield 
 " and Packed by my own hands, so I hope they will 
 arrive safe." By " last Monday's waggon " Mr. James 
 had forwarded a sow and four pairs of pigeons, " viz. 
 
134 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 4 Capuchins, and 4 half fantails — he has no hope they 
 will arrive safe — but had the basket sealed and desires 
 his Compliments." From the precaution of sealing the 
 basket it may be presumed that human intervention 
 formed the great anticipated hindrance to the safe 
 transmission of pigeons. Upon their fate no light is 
 thrown by the letters preserved, but all the goods packed 
 by the hands of George reached their destination in good 
 order ; and on June the loth Richard was extremely 
 happy in his kingdom, with a " fine prospect " for the 
 hay and corn harvests, three successive crops expected 
 of " pease " and " a great shew of strawberries and 
 cherries." 
 
 Mr. Loveden, a neighbour of Richard in Gloucester- 
 shire, was a near relative of Miss Townsend ; he is de- 
 scribed as her brother, and may possibly have married 
 her sister, but was more probably her half-brother. 
 He lived at Buscot (or Buscott, the name appears in 
 both forms), and Miss Townsend was, it must be sup- 
 posed, staying there in the latter part of June, 1777, 
 for George, writing on the 26th, seems to have enclosed 
 a letter for her in one to his brother. A draft remains, 
 in which he expresses his anxiety to hear of her health, 
 and his regret at not having seen Mr. Loveden during 
 that gentleman's visit to town ; these sentiments, of 
 course, being duly wrapped up in the flowery circumlocu- 
 tion that was considered becoming in writing to a lady. 
 His enclosing it, so that it might be dehvered by hand, 
 was a politeness in days when postage was paid, not by 
 the sender, but by the receiver of a letter. That to his 
 brother gave an account of their mother's state of mind, 
 which George seems to have endured with remarkable 
 patience. Both members of the London household had 
 been ill, but both were mending, 
 
The Cumberland Letters 135 
 
 and M^ Johnson says the country will do her good — but 
 I say nothing on the subject — sometimes she talks of 
 one day, some times of another — one time it is to be a 
 week, then a fortnight, then a month — again the sleeping 
 in a coach all night is objected to — (you must say no more 
 of that way of conveyance) the sleeping at an Inn is 
 disliked, and the going through Oxford cannot be — 
 in short I hear much on this subject and say nothing — 
 and I cannot promise you but she may lose the whole 
 Summer thus — or be with you next week ! — however 
 whenever it is fixed you shall know by a Letter. All 
 these difficulties arise from not being used to travel — 
 and it appears in her eyes in much the same light, as a 
 Journey over land to India would appear to me. 
 
 A postscript mentions that '^ Dod it is thought will 
 be hanged " (the reference is to Dr. Dodd, a fashionable 
 preacher, who had committed forgery, and who was, in 
 fact, hanged) and that '^ Ticonderaga is said to be taken." 
 Dropping then to private affairs, it concludes laconically : 
 " M^s Man has swore. Nancy is going to Prison for ^4 
 again." 
 
 On July the 15th Mrs. Cumberland was still hesitating 
 about her journey, and Richard still suggesting routes' 
 for her approval. The domestic affairs of the vicarage 
 were getting into order. 
 
 The Servant I hired proves a very neat good temperd 
 Girl, and I dare to say wilL please her mistress. I send 
 her every day to the Field and she is now mounted on the 
 top of a Stack as high as our Steeple — Notwithstanding 
 we wash, and bake and brew at home with the Assistance 
 of lame Mary, who can keep house and cook and 
 wait on me well enough I have not made any other 
 additions to my Family except some Ducks and chickens, 
 which are handy where Butchers meat is to be had 
 but once a week, they cost from 16 to 18 pence a 
 couple. 
 
136 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 On the 23rd Richard was writing from Cambridge, 
 which town 
 
 during the long Vacation is one of the most execrable 
 places, at least to one who wears a Gown, in the whole 
 World. 
 
 He had gone up, probably, to fulfil some period of 
 residence, which was a condition of holding some one 
 of his exhibitions. 
 
 A letter, bearing only the inadequate date " Saturday 
 22nd 1777," belongs probably to about this time. 
 George enquires anxiously whether his brother had been 
 to Buscott, where Mr. Loveden lived and Miss Townsend 
 often stayed. 
 
 Do you intend to have no acquaintance in the County 
 — ^You do not expect Miss. T. to come to see you ? I 
 know you have enough upon your hands but no Man 
 was ever so busy as to have no time to do civil things — 
 unless it was a day labourer. I often have every moment 
 amply filled — am obliged to set many things aside of 
 consequence to comp[ly] with the customs of the World 
 I deny myself a thousand satisfactions for the sake of 
 others, and every day brings with it mortifications of 
 this sort — this is but little known to those who do not 
 live in a City — In y^ Village you can do as you please, 
 but do not indulge this liberty too far — ^You see how I 
 can scold when not wrote to — for the present however 
 I am patient — but remember when you a quiet settled 
 Country Divine — If you behave no better — silence is the 
 word. I shall expect then, sometimes, an ingenious essay, 
 full of novelty and wit, and instruction; wrote in a curious 
 round hand upon gilt Edged paper, with I know not how 
 many more marks of leisure, and attention to Me and 
 my consequence — a letter that I may hand about 
 with a wisper, and suffer no one to take it out of my 
 sight. 
 
The Cumberland Letters 137 
 
 It must have been about this time that George wrote 
 an undated letter, which he has marked at some later 
 day " July 1777." 
 
 July 1777. 
 
 Dear Brother, 
 
 Friday Street Thursday^ 
 
 1777. 
 I will write to you some time 
 or other I hope you will 
 hitherto have excused me. 
 I and the dear Boys are well 
 I am just returned with Joseph 
 from Northamptonshire. 
 Yours sincerely, 
 
 J. James. 
 
 If you had happened, to have followed me lately 
 proceeding on my way to the Royal Exchange with all 
 the solemnity of a Bischop going to mass, or what you 
 may comprehend better, of your Tutor to Chapel, 
 you would hardly have known me for a person who 
 generally runs along the foot way, and skips across the 
 Channels. 
 
 I have been wholly metamorposed lately. I have 
 had spirits strength, flesh, and cheerfulness — my affairs 
 have been neglected for the want of abilities to attend 
 to them, my spirits sunk with that consideration, my 
 strength wasted with the continuance of my complaint, 
 and my cheerfulness destroyed by a variety of vexations 
 and untoward circumstances, yet all these disagreable 
 sensations are I hope soon to be removed. My govern- 
 ment of myself has of late been too arhitary^ and the 
 members move for a new constitution — ease will revive 
 my spirits regimen recover my health, and a peaceable 
 enjoyment of my own schemes and reflections, renew 
 my happyness — I need not tell you^ that my favorite 
 amusements (for I dare not call them studies) require 
 retirement, stillness and uninteruption- — The necessary 
 employment to earn a competency, create of themselves, 
 more than I have Phylosophy always to bear, and the 
 
138 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 additional ones of family concerns, are a most agravating 
 accumulation of them, — as they, like a strong reinforce- 
 ment, from an enemy attack one when I am least pre- 
 pared to withstand them. — ^Thus harrassed, I am drove 
 sometimes almost to despair, I cannot quit those pur- 
 suits, which in my own esteem are well worthy the 
 attention of a rational being, nor can I foresee a time 
 when I shall be free in the uninterupted pursuit of them. 
 — These contradictory circumstances, have already, by 
 occasioning a thousand vexatious reflections — broke 
 in upon my rest— injured my memory, and decreased 
 my health — 
 
 You by this time, perhaps, begin to enquire what I 
 mean to confess by this long preface, so serious, and 
 which you may possibly take to be the effect of spleen — 
 It is to give you a reason why I shall not be less happy 
 when left alone. Tho I shall lose a few comfortable 
 conveniences of life, I shall gain a great many com- 
 fortable minutes of tranquility I mean by being alone — 
 and this quiet opportunity of pursuing my fancys, I 
 am yet to believe will conduce a great deal towards the 
 re-establishment of my health and you I think I could 
 prove will be much happyer in the country, with my 
 Mothers assistance, than you could possibly be without 
 it, for instance, when I am wishing to retire from the 
 world, you will be happy to mix with it ; because you 
 will come from solitude to your meals and I go from 
 a crowd to them, but as I have not half time to urge 
 what I had to say on this head, I must postpone it till 
 we meet, — which, if I have health to accomplish my 
 intended scheme, will be soon. — I have long thought, 
 and have often been advised to it, the country air, 
 bathing, and exercise, would be the best remedy for all 
 my complaints ; accordingly, tho nothing else would 
 have moved me this summer, I have got permission to 
 be absent for 3 weeks, which I intend faithfully to 
 employ. . . . 
 
 The rest of the letter is missing. 
 
The Cumberland Letters 139 
 
 He went during his holiday to Rottingdean, whence 
 he wrote an account, only part of which remains, of 
 such gay doings as must, one would suppose, have con- 
 siderably amazed that ordinarily sleepy village. 
 
 Rottingdean July 25. 1777. 
 
 Dear Richard, 
 
 I cannot quit this place without letting you know, 
 what I am assured, will give you satisfaction ; that I 
 have enjoy'd a good state of health, even spirits,' altho 
 alone, at a little village by the Sea Coast, unacquainted 
 with the inhabitants, and rainy weather every day. — 
 To some people all these things would be terrible 
 grievances, but to me they are none, except the bad 
 weather, and that mortifys me at times beyond measure. 
 I get wet every day, then I wonder how any body 
 can live in such a climate who can afford to reside else- 
 where. The sun shines, and I am all good humour 
 again with the atmosphere, and reconciled to the country 
 — ^This is not all spleen, you must allow it is vexatious 
 not to have enjoy'd one fine day since last summer 
 and to be wrapped up in a great coat, on the coast of 
 Sussex in the month of July — 
 
 With respect to being alone, I have not discovered 
 that yet, and the village I am at from its retir'd situation 
 pleases me. The people here are about 25 at present 
 and Sir Cha: Witworth and Lady Manners at the head 
 of them We have had Gen^ Carpenter and a Lord 
 Somebody here, I have forgot his name, and I did not 
 enquire twice after them — ^They are sociable enough 
 I believe, and a night or two ago the whole set, danced 
 to a fiddle and flute, from the Windmill at the top of 
 a high hill near this place, quite through the village 
 down to the steen, where they had contre dances and 
 Minuets on the grass till the fiddle could play no longer. 
 You may guess I was not among them, I was sound asleep 
 in my bed, — and heard it the next morning, from M' 
 Charles Son a Captain and a M'' Salt— who have both 
 made some overtures to draw me into their society, 
 
HO The Cumberland Letters 
 
 but I put them of, either with complaints of my health, 
 or else tell them, as I have no time to stay here, I should 
 be sorry to have the mortification of parting w^ith such 
 good company so soon — and therefore avoid entering 
 into their amusements that I may not leave them with 
 regret — I dare say M^ C. expects I should make interest 
 to be of his parties, and the Ladys smile at what they 
 take to be the effect of my boorishness, but I can com- 
 pound with that to have my own way — I chat with 
 them sometimes, as we walk upon the beech to dry our 
 hairs, bow when we meet, and am their humble servant, 
 but neither my pocket, plans or inclination will allow 
 me to have a more familiar acquaintance : I am proud 
 enough, tho I lodge at a Chandlers, to fancy sometimes 
 that I act more in character, than half the people who 
 come to the place — an Earl [ ] an Ironmonger 
 
 for want of better company, here ; who he would be 
 ashamed to own at S* James ; and the Ironmonger. . . . 
 The rest of the letter is missing. 
 
 Mrs. Cumberland had gone to Driffield and was 
 thoroughly settled there by August the 20th, when 
 Richard wrote that he and she had gone to dine 
 
 at M^s Small's or rather at Jack Small's, for he seems 
 Master of the House and entertaind us very genteely. 
 You will be apt to wonder how we got there, and will 
 wonder more when I tell you Mother mounted the Black 
 Horse behind your H.S. ! [i.e. humble servant] and 
 our Sancho Pancha rode the Filly after us. . . . Nothing 
 coud behave better than the Horses, on this Day of 
 Trial and I am now breaking in the Filly for my own 
 riding as she goes perfectly safe and well, and have 
 bespoke a Pillion for the old Lady, who you know loves 
 a jaunt at any rate. 
 
 From an undated letter, which occupies the next 
 place in the collection, it may be inferred that " the old 
 Lady " had passed on to her younger son her taste for 
 " jaunts." His epistle is full of dinners and expeditions 
 
The Cumberland Letters 141 
 
 and entertainments. On Friday he had spent the evening 
 with Mr. Smith, to whom he had diplomatically mentioned 
 various plans of improvement cherished by the incum- 
 bent of Driffield, and from whom he had secured ap- 
 proval. On Saturday he had gone to Carshalton, to 
 Mr. Long's, "where we had a play at night, by a stroUing 
 Company, who performed tolerably." On Sunday 
 other visitors had arrived, including one Mr. Dillon, 
 who was 
 
 the most facetious man I was ever In company with. 
 There was really a handsome dinner Venison, Turkey, 
 Turbot and french Soup, with Pines, Melons, and foreign 
 sweetmeats, after dinner Champain, languedoc. Claret, 
 old Hock and Frontiniack. 
 
 George was invited to stay and go fishing with the 
 facetious Mr. Dillon, but reflecting, perhaps, that lively 
 conversation is the last quality desirable in a fishing 
 companion, returned to town with Mr. Long " in the 
 chariot " instead. 
 
 On Monday he dined with Mr. Read, his cousin by 
 marriage, who was, it may be recollected, a solicitor, 
 " by his desire, and had some talk with him about the 
 Stock business." On Tuesday evening, after having 
 dined with Mr. Tapp, George went to Vauxhall 
 
 with Napper and two or three more and we all [all] 
 agreed (but Napper) that it was the stupidest place in 
 the World, we join'd in saying we would never go there 
 again. 
 
 Towards the end of this cheerful letter he bids his 
 brother 
 
 tell my mother to make herself entirely easy about my 
 accomodations, as I have no fault to find either with 
 my Lodger or Landlady. My rooms are to be new 
 windowed soon, and then they will be quite comfortable. 
 
142 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 Mrs Sprawston dresses my Dinner well and keeps every- 
 thing extreamly clean, and buys good meat at Market. 
 
 I think that this week of gaieties must have been in- 
 cluded in George's three weeks of holiday, and that he 
 passed the third week at Driffield. It is quite certain 
 that he made some stay there this summer or autumn ; 
 possibly the three weeks were not taken consecutively. 
 His next letter, the ink of which has faded so much 
 that I was not able to decipher the whole of it, desires 
 news of " les damoiselles " at Cirencester, and mentions 
 his having made " shades," that is, silhouettes of them. 
 
 On September the loth Richard wrote a long letter 
 full of schemes for entering into a composition in 
 respect of tithes and for obtaining a grant from Queen 
 Anne's Bounty, in order to make improvements and 
 repairs at the parsonage. Referring to George's account 
 of an interview with Mr. John Balchen, who had offered 
 to mediate on behalf of the Cumberlands with Mrs. 
 Man, Richard speaks with some scorn of his " going so 
 busily between Us and M^^ Man," and observes : '' I 
 am confident he has some bye End to Serve." As to 
 the proposal of 
 
 relieving a certain person I am sorry it was not done 
 before, if there was any Use in it. But they who know 
 her must be sensible it can't be done by paying her Debts 
 unless you have a mind to see her there again the next 
 week. 
 
 George, having in a recent letter spoken of his own 
 ardent and romantic imagination, Richard, in turn, 
 proceeded to discuss the very different disposition that 
 was his. 
 
 To own a truth which you have discovered my passions 
 have of late become extremely languid, and I sometimes 
 think I rather vegetate than live. I can account for this 
 
The Cumberland Letters 143 
 
 no otherwise than as the Effect of a Constitution early- 
 broken which instead of the Spirits and Ambition so 
 natural to youth, has made me indolent and careless 
 about what may happen to me. You may think me 
 whimsical, but I often compare myself with old Men of 
 my acquaintance, and find a great similarity of Dis- 
 position. With all this I believe I am as far from being 
 unhappy as most people and enjoy the Blessings of Life 
 as they come within my reach, without murmuring at 
 the Evils with which they are usually mixed, or looking 
 for any of those imaginary Joys, which are not to be met 
 with in this Life. 
 
 His happiness was somewhat disturbed, however, by 
 a shortness of ready money, his tithes not falling due 
 until " Old Michaelmas " and he being very anxious 
 that his new neighbours should not suppose him to be 
 in any straits. The question of borrowing began to 
 occupy the correspondents. 
 
 Sef 17. 77. 
 Dear Brother, 
 
 Why have you determined to wait for my fourth 
 Lett^ before you write ? for I think I have wrote 
 already thrice without any answer — Perhaps you have 
 not got them, nor the Profils etc yet I think you may 
 easyly once in a week, find out somebody who goes to 
 Cirencester market cannot you ask Timbrell to let your 
 Parcels etc be left at his house ? this would make it 
 convenient for any of your neighbours to call for your 
 Letters — I expect before I send this (for I will keep it 
 till tomorrow) to have a Line from you — if I do not 
 I shall be disapointed, surely your farming etc cannot 
 take up all the day, and if it does, why not scribble on 
 a piece of paper under a Sheaf of the maiden Barley — 
 I had rather have one line, wrote as I write this without 
 premeditation than all the florid orations in the world — 
 my mode of writing to you, is according to the Humour 
 of my mind, at setting down, if cheerful so ; if grave, 
 the same ; — By this means I visit and converse with you 
 
144 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 in different moods — and do not always approach you, 
 with a Pen behind my Ear — I do not discover myself 
 so much to new acquaintance — but you and me have 
 known one another some time — for this reason I will 
 tell you a truth — there is nothing vexes and mortifies 
 me more than your fixed prudence and gravity — I can 
 occasionally be both the latter more at times than you, 
 but then I can almost at all times divest myself of it, 
 to suit myself to the inclinations of others — but you, 
 keep a steady fixed seriousness about you, that will not 
 alter its attention on any account — in short, to end my 
 Lecture, you will not condescend to be trifling — ^you 
 may despise amusement a long while before you find a 
 better [ ] for the evils of care — ^you will 
 
 say my letter is full of spleen, and that I say this out of 
 malice because I have no answer to my Letters — and 
 you will say this to yourself, perhaps, if you are not 
 convicted — but I deny your assertion — I was never 
 further from it in my life — I will allow some malice, 
 because I write thus to punish you — not a word of 
 business in my paper, and you thirsting for it — so do 
 I for your answer to mine — Lex talionis et^ — 
 
 Shall I tell you how to keep me always in good humour ; 
 — reverse the correspondence — write to me always about 
 trifles, and I will make a serious answer — I dare say you 
 have a thousand times blamed my frivolity, as much as 
 I have your gravity, but your graveness is not a happyer 
 quality — I have lived, within two years, as long in the 
 world as you and am notwithstanding lo years younger 
 in disposition — here is a gain I think : — for do not you 
 look back with pleasure to the age of fifteen ? — At 
 present I have an inclination to go to bed — and therefore 
 shall say to you both, good night, in the morning if I 
 have pleasant dreams, I may possibly treat you with a 
 sober conversation in your own way^ but that as it 
 may be — 
 
 Wednesday morns. 
 No Letter yet — well — it does not become a good 
 Christian to bear malice — so I'll een give you, all the 
 
The Cumberland Letters 145 
 
 information you wish In the first place M^ Smith 
 cannot yet fix for coming — but they both desire to 
 be rememberd to Mother and you — M'^ and M^^ Tapp 
 also — ^M^ T. came to Town the other day after a pleasant 
 Journey, better in health than he has been for some time, 
 and M' Napper sets out for him today 5 w^' hence he 
 will call on you, and if possible, take a bed for one night. 
 
 With respect to the Stock affair, we have no remedy 
 with the Company — I would gladly part with ^20 if 
 it was my own to serve you — I am sure my Mother 
 thinks the same — but that is not all, it is to serve herself 
 — for if [ ] B. dies, where is the whole ? — one more 
 chance seems now to offer. If the commons will grant 
 a partial administration, which has been done, M^^ 
 Mann has offerd to accede to it — this will come in and 
 do her no injury — I am to call on Adderly the Proctor 
 to have his answer tomorrow about it — if this will not 
 do, at aU events the Stock must be secured — I saw old B. 
 today and he seemed a little apprehensive that I should 
 ment^ his refusal of [ ] as a cause of our miscarriage — 
 he was extremely civil, and pretended to interest himself 
 much in the getting it done. I have lately heard another 
 anecdote of his dissimulation, — ^he told M^^ Mann, 
 that she would by no means disoblige him by refusing 
 to swear M^^ R. [ ] this was just as we had persuaded 
 her to it — but I do not give entire credit to it — " The 
 Devil is painted blacker than he is." 
 
 With respect to your Q. Anne Bounty business — I 
 think that is all over, for / can by no means, propose 
 to M^ S. to subscribe to a thing which has all the ap- 
 pearance^at least to him, it would have that appearance, 
 of begging so much money out of his pocket — and I 
 think if you reflect, you will be convinced, such a pro- 
 posal cannot possibly come from either of us — If a 
 man gives me a horse, I must buy him a saddle, or go 
 without — 
 
 I am sorry to close this with a piece of information 
 which to you may seem surprising, but to me is just 
 what I expected and what I even told you a long time 
 
146 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 ago — as you desired it I did it, but I would not for 
 myself — I brought about the discourse with M' Ekins 
 with all the [ ] necessary — and without 
 
 asking gave such hints as could not be mistaken. He took 
 them, and excused himself by saying he could not now 
 possibly accommodate you tho I mentiond 50 or 80 
 and only for i year — but advised to apply to M^ Cross — 
 I saved your credit here (for I had not spoke out by saying 
 it was [ ] I could not expect, nor even think on — but 
 wished only to have his advice), — In these cases I am much 
 older than you — and could, and have, and so tell you — 
 that we must depend on ourselves alone for money — 
 Have not you and my Mother long been dependent — 
 because she owed an old friend a few pounds — wh. 
 she still is able to pay — amongst the present race of 
 Men, it severs friendships sooner than any thing. For my 
 own part if I wanted ^^50, with all my friends, I know 
 not where to borrow it, without commencing an obliga- 
 tion that would sink my spirits — ^These are hateful 
 truths — but they are the truth — and nobody sees them 
 in a clear light till they have occasion to ask — 
 
 Yet do not dispair of accomplishing your purpose — 
 at worst you can but write to M^ E. and after having 
 offerd it, I think he cannot refuse you — for my own part 
 I will do any thing, say any thing, to serve you in the 
 affair, — ^which you will not doubt, after my having spoke 
 to M^ E. from whom I have no favour to claim — but 
 many civilities to return — if you can think of no other 
 plan, I will (come what will of it) ask M^ Cross — but I 
 have hopes of getting the Stock business done time 
 enough — What if I was to ask M^ Rich: Cumberland^ 
 for ^20. ? He would never forgive me as long as I 
 lived — God bless you both, I hope we have none of his 
 blood in our veins. 
 
 G. Cumberland. 
 
 Rev^ M'^ Cumberland, 
 Driffelde near 
 
 Cirencester, 
 
 Glpcestershire, 
 
The Cumberland Letters 147 
 
 Dear Richard, ^^^- Exchange ^ef 20. 1777. 
 
 I wish you could bottle up and send me some 
 of that phylosophy which you say is become so natural 
 to you, you say it [is] the result of a constitution early 
 broke, which God forbid ; — ^yet I fear the want of your 
 indiference, will dissolve mine^ weaken'd it, it has al- 
 ready. — I know not how it is with you, but my mirth 
 often is turn'd into heavyness — I have got to susfect 
 good fortune, and if I have particular reason to 
 be cheerful, I take it for an omen that something 
 will soon happen to vex me — when it comes, I cry — 
 what next ? — ^however, what a difference between these 
 and our school days ! when our little misfortunes served 
 only to make us sport — now, every day brings with it, 
 grave Lessons, and serious Concerns — The World, I 
 am convinced, will not let you live in peace, unless you 
 can conceal your happyness in some retired corner, or 
 purchase its smiles, with the appearance of wealth — if 
 you have it, you are out of its power — I know not how 
 far I might run on with these reflections, if I did not 
 check myself, but I will tell you what caused them — 
 
 From the remarkable civillity of M^ Tapp to me lately, 
 and his behaviour to me at his own house, where I have 
 dined and supped since I have been return'd from the 
 country — I had ventured to think that all our offences 
 were done away, and our obligations forgiven : — 
 especially as there seemed to now be opening a way to 
 discharge all demands — for the other day he went with 
 me to M^ Adderly, and he (M^ Adderly) gave me hopes 
 that limited administration might be granted — and if 
 not, I had promissed (as he desired) that we would spend 
 ^20 in chancery sooner than not do it — this seemed to 
 put all partys in good humour : — now whether it is 
 M^ T's natural temper to elate and depress a Dependent, 
 or whether he is worked upon, either by J.B. or others, 
 I know not — but that night I was sent for, and not being 
 at home went this morning — when I was lectured in one 
 of the compleatest stiles imaginable, and in the end 
 (as Shakespear finely has it) shaken up to a warmth that 
 
148 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 convinced me it would be imprudent to reply — on these 
 occasions the old fable comes opportunely to my aid, 
 and I consider that to say white to people who are deter- 
 mined it shall be black, is but waste o£ words — when I 
 went there this morn^ — I was told " I had been sent 
 to last night but was not at home — that a man had been 
 with M^ Tapp to demand 7 years Interest on the £\\2. 
 of the Trust, and that he had a Lett^ of Attorney from 
 the Mother, and demanding to know how it was to be 
 paid — at the end of the story, he said that my Mother 
 had thought proper to take every thing out of his 
 hands — and therefore she must take the consequences 
 for, for his part, he should not pay a shilling of it — 
 this was the burthen of the song — I slightly hinted that as 
 we were about settling every thing, the person might 
 possibly be induced to stay a little ; this put him in a 
 fury — " would I undertake to explain to him how my 
 father had acted with regard to the trust — he thought 
 it would not much redound to the credit of the family 
 — ^here I had the resolution to defend my fathers ashes — 
 by saying that I thought if he left more than enough 
 property behind him to discharge the debts, he gave 
 nobody any room to believe his intentions were dis- 
 honourable ; — " it was none of his to leave, he left no 
 property " etc was reverberated from both quarters, 
 M^3 T. and M^ T. — I maintained my position by an 
 argument you will readily guess — and this threw them 
 on another ground, my Mother was a fool and a weak 
 woman etc to give up to me what she might have kept 
 for Life, and been independent of her sons, and had 
 money enough to discharge all these demands, and not 
 strip her self of every thing to [ ] her sons — 
 
 that M^ Cross and M^ Long never thought I [ ] 
 
 any benefit from these Ground Rents — but my Mother 
 — they would have given them, M^ Cross to his servant, 
 M^ Long to his Clerk,— that M^ Balchen would have 
 done it for her, had already, and would again — with a 
 vast deal more ; and that he — M^ T. would take the 
 first opportunity when he saw M^' Cross — to ask him 
 
The Cumberland Letters 149 
 
 what he thought of it — concluding that he had been 
 all along treated very cavaUierly by us all, and he did not 
 care a dam whether I was cool or warm : (upon my teUing 
 him that I was ready to answer all his arguments, but 
 found myself then too warm to enter into them) to all 
 this harangue I answ^ shortly, the substance of which 
 was, that I desired him to satisfy himself with respect 
 to Mr Cross opinion — that I ever did, and ever should 
 look on the money I earned as my own property — that 
 I beheved M' C. had a better regard for me than his 
 servant, and M^ L. than his clerk, that my Mother was 
 so far from being dependent on her Sons, that I was 
 ready and I believed you were too, to allow her any 
 thing that we could reasonably putting it out of our own 
 power to retract — and in the end that if he would send 
 the person to me, I would take care to discharge the 
 demand — he said I might if I would as he should not, 
 repeating with an echo, that he had been treated caval- 
 lierly by us all — To do this I am brought into a situation 
 that I have never before experienced — I mean to borrow 
 — and how my first application will succeed I know not 
 — but I shall ask M^ E. to lend me ^20 for 3 months, the 
 money is but ;^23. 5. so that you must remit me the 
 cash I advanced for your Bill as soon as you can, or I go 
 to pot for ^20. ! Tomorrow I settle with M^ Long, and 
 I have already paid M^ C. more than I have reced — 
 do not give yourself a moments uneasiness about all this, 
 I write it only because I know you love to be informed 
 — at present I am doubting whether I shall undertake 
 to defend the family in a Letter, or whether I shall 
 let the " weakest go to the wall " — the latter is wisest 
 I believe and easyest, but yet not altogether right — 
 only let it root in you one maxim, never, if you can help 
 it, borrow of a friend — My love to my mother — I dined 
 with M^ S. on Wednesday, and they do not yet fix, but 
 will certainly be down, as they intend spending a month 
 
 at Bath — Adieu — ^Yours sincerely, 
 
 ■D H Tv/r. i<-. 1 1 J G. Cumberland. 
 
 Rev^ M' Cumberland, 
 
 Driffelde near 
 
 Cirencester. 
 
I50 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 On the 26th his mother wrote one of her pathetic 
 scrawls to George. 
 
 My Dear Child, ^ 
 
 When you see this I think I hear you say has my 
 Mother thought of me at Last — but I do asure you are 
 sildom out of my thoughts and should I be so happy 
 to have my Children near me no place would be dol 
 I have but Littel time having a great deal of Business 
 to do — and being a very bad scribe makes me Loft to 
 set about writing your Brother had a fal from his Horse 
 above a fornight ago has been confind ever sence being 
 Laime Hand and foot but is now thank God able to 
 Hobble about but not to go far prey advice him not 
 to his young Horse agine the News of Nancy Confine- 
 ment give me great Concern and must beg you will 
 let me have the pleasore of hearing she is Releasd as I 
 think thear will be half a year due oppon the House 
 at Michaelmas I am glad to hear M^ Tapp is returned 
 so well from is journey pray my kind Love to them Both 
 if M'"^ Tapp could get me four or five pounds of Green 
 Tea I should be very much obligd to her pray pay for 
 it and give me Credit for it till you Receive the half 
 years Rent Let the Tea be put in Shet Led as I have 
 Cannersters hear — you seme to menshon my inviting 
 Sukay hear I must say it would be a great pleasure to 
 me as I have Littel Conversation hear but your Brother 
 and I think it might be thought we had some views in 
 it I shoold be much oblidg to you to now and then write 
 me Long Letter of common Accurrences of our frends 
 and pray let me hear how Dear Littel Sally Reed is and 
 very she is likly to have a Brother soon, how you go on 
 with M^s Spawcton and wether you find things Agreable 
 as I must say my Mind is continally anxious about my 
 Children pray my Compliments to all friends shall 
 conclud with prayers for your health a Happyness and 
 am Dear George your Affectionate Mother, 
 
 M^ G. Cumberland, Eliz^ Cumberland. 
 
 Exchange Assurance, 
 London. 
 
The Cumberland Letters 151 
 
 A postscript by Richard is appended : 
 
 Now let Dick add a word to tell you he has received 
 yours o£ Monday — was at Ciceter on Teusday and de- 
 livered your profiles as directed they were universally 
 allowed to be strong likenesses except Miss [this word, 
 perhaps a nickname, I cannot decipher] you know 
 which I mean. 
 
 On October the 2nd George was in a state of fresh 
 indignation — quite unjustly this time, as afterwards 
 appeared — against Mr. Tapp : 
 
 I might I think have concluded that his rage was 
 sated, and having vented his spleen, he would now let 
 me be quiet, but here I was mistaken, not content with 
 having called me to account for living without his 
 licence, and threatning to attack my bread — by injuring 
 me with my employers he has now thought proper to 
 do the remaining ill natured action he had in his power, 
 and render my office a place of uneasiness — ^The matter 
 is this, about an hour ago he sent George, who had been 
 with him to receive Nancy's annuity, to my office to ask 
 charity of me for her, telling him, as he tells me, " that 
 he knew of none in the family who would grant her any 
 assistance, unless it were George Cumberland who he 
 believed if applied to would help her." I am sorry to say 
 that this one action, so malicious, so mean and unworthy 
 of any man, even to a person that had offended him, 
 has in one moment given me the most disadvantageous 
 opinion of a person whom I had before thought incapable 
 of such a thing — he well must remember, for it was our 
 conversation the last time I was at his house, the uneasy- 
 ness I expressed at the thought of her discovering me — 
 and then in a joking manner, said he would send her to 
 me — He has now seriously as good as fulfilled his promise 
 — for George in all likelihood will some time or other 
 inform her, or his wife, and in that case, my life will 
 become really unhappy, as I shall go [ ] my 
 
 business full of apprehension — Is not this a glorious 
 
152 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 and friendly act ? — ^When he first addressed himself 
 to me I denied having any such relation and wanted to 
 persuade him he had mistaken the person — but he soon 
 convinced me he was not to be put off, by telling me who 
 he came from. — In the greatest confusion imaginable 
 I had nothing to do but to tell him I had not seen the 
 unhappy wretch a great many years, and had determined 
 not to own her, and therefore begged he would not trouble 
 me about her, as I was determined to do nothing — He 
 entirely agreed that what I said was very reasonable, 
 said that he out of compassion for her distress (of which 
 tis possible he might be a cause), had taken her out of 
 Prison, and given his joint note with hers, to pay her 
 debt at ^i. i pr Quarter — for 7 Q^^ — that he had taken 
 her home. Where she lay on his chairs, being so dirty 
 as not to be fit to go into a bed, that instead of thanking 
 him, " she had, according to her wont, been abusive 
 to him and his family," and had kicked up several rows, — 
 however as he had known something of her he was willing 
 if possible to take care of her provided she had some 
 cloaths to wear. — I considered some time, and at last 
 came to a resolution to give him one guinea, for the 
 following reasons, tho I could ill spare it at the same time 
 making him promise never to say to any one that he had 
 got any thing from me, but to lay it out in coarse clothing 
 for her use as if of his own accord and by no means to let 
 her know where I was or mention my name. — I considered 
 that if I sent him away without any thing he might 
 possibly be induced to send her to me, out of revenge 
 for having lost his labour, that if it was properly applied 
 (which he desired me to call and see done) it would be 
 a means of really assisting her, if such a thing can be done 
 — and if he put the money in his own pocket (which I 
 since hope he will) that will effectually prevent his 
 sending her where she may be informed of the cheat. 
 
 But none of these expectations can render me quite 
 easy. It will lay a dead weight on those spirits which 
 lately had been quite lightened, and serve often to depress 
 a person but too much " alive to fame " — If she comes 
 
The Cumberland Letters 153 
 
 I shall not dare to stay, or fly, i£ I retreat she will stay 
 and abuse me and family, to people who will perhaps 
 half believe her, or listen for divertion, if I converse 
 with her the Evil will be equal — either way. I shall 
 never be able to hold up my head again — such a crime 
 it is to have an infamous relation — I cannot bear the 
 thought of it — I have [ ] great inclination to 
 
 write to him, to entreat [ ] offence [ ] 
 
 given to be so persecuted, and wherein he has been 
 [ ] cavallier [ ] but as I should chuse to 
 
 write on my guard, I shall defer it till to-morrow when 
 if I am in the same mind, I think I can make him feel 
 wrong, and satisfy him that, tho I know when to be 
 silent, I am neither a Stock or a Stone, and can defend 
 my self when ill treated — I know how cautious I ought 
 to be in the matter, and that I ought to keep a copy — 
 for it is not unlikely that if I let fall any word that could 
 be misconstrued J"° B. [i.e., I believe, John Balchen, 
 the son of George's uncle Henry, not the young cousin 
 of the same name belonging to the Newington family] 
 may take that opportunity to turn it to my disadvantage 
 either by telling M^ C. [probably Mr. Cross] that I 
 have ungratefully offended M^ Tapp or something of 
 that nature to open a door to injure me — for I firmly 
 believe J.B. to be at the bottom of it all. 
 
 He concludes, in a happier frame of mind, by bidding 
 his brother take care of his health, 
 
 for I think we shall yet meet some winter evening 40 
 years hence and laugh at our trifling difficulties at setting 
 out in life — pardoning all our enemies, and defending 
 their reputations for I am apt to think that there is no 
 pleasure in revenge, and that men cannot help their 
 natures. 
 
 He learned, a few weeks later, on unimpeachable 
 authority, that the author of his discomfort was one 
 James Man, who appears, I think, on this occasion 
 only in the correspondence. He may have been a brother 
 
154 The Cumberland L,etters 
 
 of Mrs. Man's husband, or a son o£ hers, or other con- 
 nection on the husband's side. As to the identity of 
 " George " who made himself the intermediary, I can 
 hazard no guess. 
 
 Richard must have sent some letter of attempted 
 consolation, for, on October the loth, George wrote : 
 
 I receive your answer to mine as a kind endevour to 
 make a disagreeable circumstance appear trifling — and 
 I myself do not feel it so severely as I did at first, because 
 like other Uneasynesses it is not so fresh in my memory. 
 You speak of N.B., as if you knew nothing of her frenzy, 
 her artifice, her plausibility, volubility, and other abilities 
 for which she is famed — could I bear an office where she 
 came ? or live in a house where she had called on me ? 
 in short you talk like a person living at Drifiield, and 
 having no apprehension of her taking so long a Journey 
 to annoy you. If you read my Lett^ you will find I 
 do explain why she came to beg of me, she having nothing 
 to clothe her. The money he [a slip, surely, for *' she "] 
 had of M^ T. having been expended in taking her out 
 of Prison — the part of a former Letter, was, I thought 
 answered by her being released — for my own part I 
 Could not think of acting in the affair, for fear of a dis- 
 covery, and I knew not who to employ or ask such a 
 favor of if I had it in my power to relieve her which it 
 was not, having myself one evening, gone to the Prison, 
 to be informed of her situation, and finding it would 
 require ^^lo. 
 
 It must be admitted that Miss Balchen was a trouble- 
 some relative, either to serve or to offend ; but it does 
 strike a twentieth-century reader that George was more 
 discomposed than most nephews nowadays would have 
 been by her proceedings. It is true that he knew her, 
 and that we do not. 
 
 A letter from George must be missing, but its subject 
 may be gathered from a reply, dated October the 30th. 
 
The Cumberland Letters 155 
 
 Your last, mentioning your reconciliation with M^ 
 T. gave us both great pleasure, indeed it was the first 
 letter on that disagreeable Subject I had communicated 
 to Mother ; as it would have made her very unhappy. 
 Depend upon it, He has been imposed on, as he is very 
 easy to be, by certain people whom we shall soon see 
 brought to Confusion, so pray think no more about 
 it only be on your Guard against their Wiles. 
 
 That Mrs. Cumberland would indeed have been 
 made very uneasy by any dispute between Mr. Tapp 
 and either o£ her sons is clearly shown by a letter which 
 she wrote, and to which Richard added a postscript 
 and the date " 3d Nov^ ^^?' 
 
 On the 5th George wrote : 
 
 What is the reason my dear Mother and Brother, that 
 the reccit of you last Letter, affected [me] in the same 
 manner as if you had both rushed in to my room unex- 
 pectedly — it is the second time I have been overcome 
 in the same way — the moment I laid it down I melted 
 into tears — I will endeavour to account for it myself. 
 My Mothers Letters are the overflowings of a parents 
 love, yours of a fraternal one, expressed without art, 
 and I love you both more than I even suspect — do not 
 imagine I am lowi spirited — I was never livelyer in my 
 life, and the tear or two I shed trickled sweetly down my 
 cheek — I feel no shame in confessing this weakness, if 
 you call it such for I think it is more praise worthy than 
 many things we boast of — it shews, as your favorite says, 
 " We are not stocks and Stones." Shall I tell you how 
 I have employed this Morning (for I still think I have you 
 on each side the fireplace) by way of really making holi- 
 day, [evidently the Royal Exchange Assurance Company 
 treated November th^ 5th as a national holiday — perhaps 
 in remembrance rather of William the Third's landing 
 than of Guy Fawkes's frustration] I have brought down 
 my Easel, and spent the morning in painting. M^^ 
 Spawton without asking any Question brings in My 
 
156 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 Mutton Chops and potatoes, and goes out again silently 
 (for she seems to understand what I like) I had just 
 finished, thanked God, and taken a glass of Shrubb and 
 water, wishing you health at the same time, when she 
 laid the letter on the table, it came by way of a most 
 excellent desert and finished my meal most rationally 
 — ^When I have done this I shall go to the Academy 
 and afterwards to half a Play — do you think now that 
 I am ever melancholy ? on the contray I never spent 
 my time better or lived happier than I do now — the 
 feeling myself in easy circumstances goes a great way, 
 for I hope I shall be able to live as I do now, without 
 retrenching any article, and come right at the year's 
 end. 
 
 As to Nancy : 
 
 M'^ Tapp has ordered her shoes and stockings and some 
 money for tea, but she is very ungovernable, and tells 
 M^ Smith, she does not understand having cold Mutton 
 and broth, and desires to have Chicken, and Veal, 
 which she has been always used to. . . . In the Mar- 
 shalsea I find she beat all the women that came in 
 her way, 
 
 and accompanied her blows by opprobrious expressions, 
 
 but sometimes she had the worst of it — in short if she 
 had not been released I think they would have given her 
 liberty to keep the prison quiet. 
 
 The beverage which George denominated " shrubb," 
 but which is more usually written " shrub," will be pro- 
 bably unknown to modern readers ; in an old book of 
 recipes I find two varieties described : Currant Shrub, 
 which was composed by dissolving one pound and a 
 half of refined sugar in two quarts of black, red or white- 
 currant juice, and stirring the mixture into one gallon 
 of old Jamaica rum ; and Rum Shrub, the directions 
 for compounding which run as follows : " Rum, one 
 
The Cumberland Letters 157 
 
 pint; orange and lemon juice, of each half a gill; 
 orange and lemon peel, a small quantity; sugar, one 
 ounce ; dissolve in one pint and a half of water. A 
 very minute portion of tartaric acid may be added by 
 those who prefer a perceptible acidity." 
 
 In another paragraph of this same letter, George 
 announced that, if he could contrive to pack it, he pro- 
 posed to send soon " a few bottles of most excellent 
 Shrubb, as it is such as you cannot get I am persuaded 
 at Cirencester, and of a cold winter night with hot Water, 
 will, (as the Countryman said) wrap round your hearts 
 like a Blanket." 
 
 The reason, also, for preferring to see " half a Play " 
 may appear as mysterious as the nature of " shrubb." 
 There was a custom, now extinct, of admitting spectators 
 for half-price at a certain late stage of the performance. 
 
 Two days later George was rejoicing in a false report. 
 
 I hope you have seen the last Gazette and heard all 
 the good news about Burgoyne and Howes Success. — 
 which we believe here as much as if we had it confirmed 
 by authority. 
 
 Early in December George was forming good resolu- 
 tions. After remarking that he wasted all his free time 
 by jaunting about " and get colds into the bargain by 
 travelling in damp coaches," he proceeded : 
 
 I see the folly, and this day begin a reformation. I 
 go to bed to night by 1 1 o Clock, I shall carry home an 
 
 amusing book with me, or write a Lett, to T d — 
 
 and rise early walk to Black friars or round St Paul's, 
 and pursue this as long as resolution will last — is not this 
 wise done. 
 
 That he did write '' a Lett, to T d," that is a 
 
 letter to Miss Townsend, is clear ; a neat draft of such 
 a letter, dated on December the 9th, holds the next 
 
158 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 place in the collection, and on the nth he told his 
 brother that he " had this moment dispatched a letter " 
 to her. 
 
 A few days ago my brother unexpectedly gave me the 
 pleasure of his Company entering my room covered 
 with Clay like a courier. I never saw the cloth so stained 
 before, but as the outside is not all, with me I even 
 discovered the goodness of his intention through the 
 dirt of his drapery and felt myself really obliged by the 
 visit — there is a pleasure in such unexpected rencontres, 
 and I speak with truth, if I had a friend in the western 
 Isles of Scotland, who loved society (and was master of 
 my time) Gladly would I set out in the dark month of 
 January to give him pleasure, and the thought of it 
 would make every accomodation on the road agreable. 
 These are a sort of voluntary confessions of regard which 
 it is every day in our power to make, and the mere pro- 
 posing of them to ourselves serves as a very good test 
 of our affection. 
 
 Thank heaven there is yet an other way of expressing 
 our good wishes to those we esteem : if we write to^ 
 it is impossible but we should think of them, and the oftener 
 we write etc etc — ^What a fine contrivance you will say 
 have I found out to excuse my scribbling, but I beseech 
 you not to think so for I never thought of such a con- 
 struction till I had finished the Paragraph — I here 
 solemnly declare that I write to you because I cannot 
 resist the impulse and if you read and pardon, I confess 
 is all I have a right to expect from your good nature 
 but if you answer them sometimes, be assured I feel 
 how much I am your Debtor you have indeed made 
 me so by telling my brother you were obliged by my 
 little services, he gave me likewise the pleasure of hearing 
 that you talk of riding, as I am sensible if used moderately 
 and at proper hours, at this season it is very beneficial, 
 nothing will keep off lowness of spirits better, which 
 I think you are subject to : — Depend on this there is 
 no Physick like those amusements which exhilerate the 
 
The Cumberland Letters 159 
 
 spirits, the use of them and a certain portion of in- 
 diference about worldly concerns, go a great way towards 
 establishing health in a sUght constitution — I can readily 
 believe that too much sensibility has carried off numbers 
 of females, and the misfortune is there are people who 
 instead of struggling against, encourage this subtle 
 destroyer — pardon me for hoping you persue a contrary 
 conduct — 
 
 Before my brother left Town he was very desirous 
 of knowing the fate of y^ Ticket that he might drop the 
 news on his return, but I shifted him off without his 
 information — It is possible if it had been drawn and a 
 Blank, we would have been the Messenger (for I shall 
 ever feel myself disinclined to say any thing to you but 
 good) but as it was then and is now in the wheel, I confess 
 I kept my knowledge to go along with a Letter as an 
 excuse for writing again — all I can plead in extenuation 
 is, that as most people can find pretences for every trifle 
 they are inclined to, it is not to be wondered at that I 
 have one in readyness to justify what gives me the greatest 
 pleasure in the world — I mean the frequently assuring 
 you that I am in all sincerity, an admirer of your merits, 
 and your obliged friend, 
 
 G. Cumberland. 
 
 Dec 9. 1777. 
 
 Mr. Smith's expected visit to Gloucestershire occurred 
 about this time, and turned out very unfortunately. 
 The best account of the disagreement, the nominal 
 ground of which was an agreement with the local farmers 
 about the tithes, occurs in a letter of somewhat later 
 date, which will be found on p. 170. 
 
 Richard must have written particulars to George 
 (or possibly he rushed to London for a conversation 
 with his brother — ^who mentions to Miss Townsend his 
 having come up unexpectedly), for on December the 
 1 6th the younger, in the course of a letter to Driffield, 
 observed that 
 
i6o The Cumberland Letters 
 
 when 70U told me how readyly the farmers came into 
 your proposal I suspected danger immediately. I advised 
 you to be on your guard because I have ever been of 
 opinion that there are scarce any notions of honour 
 among Farmers, with them self is all, and sense is cunning. 
 Knowing M^ Smith I am not surprised that his fiery 
 temper should be blown up to the flame you found it in, 
 he is in his own disposition honest and unsuspecting — 
 but easily persuaded to suspect and in the hands of Syco- 
 phants and knaves may be worked up to any pitch of 
 extravagance. Yet I think he might (with his httle 
 knowledge of the case) have believed your story before 
 the farmers — but they used his interest as the means 
 to persuade — and he loving his own property (as most 
 people do) and abhorring ingratitude, readyly caught 
 at the bait — every thing fell before them, and it was 
 determined you must be wrong. 
 
 He mentioned also having called upon Richard's name- 
 sake, the dramatist. 
 
 My reception was polite, finding I had nothing to ask 
 and I was told they would always be glad to see me to 
 dine when I had leisure . . . the two young Ladies are 
 amazingly grown, but M^^ Cumberland younger and 
 handsomer than either of them. 
 
 Richard's next letter, which was evidently not the 
 first he had written about his troubles, expressed satis- 
 faction that 
 
 you have not mentioned our difference . . . perhaps 
 he may think less of it than I do, as he went away in good 
 Humour. Pray endeavour to see him, the first Day he 
 comes to Town. 
 
 On December the 29th Mrs. Cumberland wrote from 
 Driffield to her son in London : 
 
 My Dear Child, Driffeld 29^^ Dec^ 1777. 
 
 You cannot think how unhappy I am at not writing 
 to you in so long a time I think I am grown stupede I 
 
The Cumberland Letters i6i 
 
 am always accusin myself of neglect yet have I no 
 Resolution to set pen to paper the truth is I can nither 
 indite nor spell which is the reson I have never wrote 
 to any of my friends I thank you for your kind presant 
 it is exceeding good and very acceptable this cold 
 weather I intend to send a cake as soon as I get eggs 
 to make it I am sorry I have nothing better: I hope 
 this will meet you Return from Richmond in health 
 and spirits let me know how you spent your Christmas 
 and all the chit chat you can I am very sorry to hear 
 your Cosins are so ill pray let me know how they are as 
 soon as you can I thank God I am very well in health 
 but have not been in spirits sence the affaire with M'^ 
 Smith but I hope it will be cleard up to him. as your 
 Brother is a going to write shall say no more only must 
 desire if you have any Regard for me you will be careful 
 of your health I sumtimes please myself with the thoughts 
 of your haveing a good prise I sincerely wish it my 
 compliments to all friends wishes for your health and 
 happyness am your afect Mother, 
 
 Eliz Cumberland. 
 
 Richard took the occasion of a maternal sending to 
 enclose a few lines, without involving his brother in 
 paying postage for them. 
 
 Dear Geo., 
 
 Though I wrote but last Teusday, yet as our good 
 Lady is going to draw a hot Cake out of the Oven to 
 send you, I will not miss the opportunity of writing. 
 I am just return'd from taking a look round my Fields, 
 which I generally do after dinner, and in so doing 
 caniiot help now and then taking notice of those which 
 I have only a small share. Riding thro' the Stubble 
 Feild, I happend to ask what they little Farmers who have 
 no Cornland gave for leave to mow Wheat stubb and was 
 surpriz'd when the[y] told me 4s an Acre, which is the 
 most I can hope to get in lieu of the tenth sheaf, and sets 
 such a Composition in a very mild light. Talking with 
 Farmer Howell on their Expenses he shewed me lately 
 
1 62 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 a very fine Crop of Wheat, and solemnly assured me it 
 stood him in 6{% an Acre on the ground — if so I told him, 
 he ought [ ] make lo^s when thrashed out, and yet 
 he'd think los too much for the Tithe, to which he had 
 nothing to reply — ^You'll observe they cannot sow Wheat 
 above one year in four. 
 
 . . . On Monday last ... I took a ride to Ciceter, 
 and had the pleasure of receiving a note from Miss 
 Townsend acquainting me with her Intention of 
 dining with us next Day and taking a Bed, and desiring 
 me to meet her at Fairford I invited Miss Timbrel] 
 to meet her, and the next Morning about eleven set 
 out for Fairford. It was a thick Fog attended with 
 Frost so that the Roads were extreemly dangerous and 
 I depended on finding her in a Carriage if she came at 
 all. You may judge my surprize when about 3 Miles 
 from our house I met her mounted on a spirited little 
 palfry with only a Servant and her habit powderd with 
 the Hoar Frost — She held out her hand to me with her 
 natural Ease and chearfulness, and instead of complaining 
 of the severity of the Weather, and the danger of the 
 Road, entertaind me the rest of the Way with a variety 
 of Chit Chat, as if entirely at her Ease as we rode gently 
 on or now and then set off in a Gallop over such Roads 
 as had like to have overset both Rosinante and his Rider. 
 In short she is a wonderful Girl and has the most ex- 
 traordinary flow of spirits I ever met with. Molly 
 Timbrel came over and we passed one of the most chear- 
 ful Days I have known at Driffield. Next Morning I 
 rode with them to Ciceter — twas one before we set out 
 and we just got to Ciceter in time to dine at Timbrells 
 and then Townsend being determined to return home 
 that Afternoon I determined to accompany her — having 
 some business to transact with her Lawyer, we stopt 
 at his Door in the high Street and without dismounting 
 or being in the least disconcerted she signed her Name 
 to a Writing and made an Affidavit, notwithstanding 
 a Gentleman she knew came up and stared at her during 
 the Transaction. I mention these trifles to you because 
 
The Cumberland Letters 163 
 
 I think they are Characteristic — It was between 3 and 
 4 e'er we got out of the Town and then she had 15 
 Miles to ride thro the dirtiest Road you can conceive. 
 She did all she coud to persuade me not to go home with 
 her, but on my insisting, permitted me, and tho dark 
 soon after we set out never expressed the least alarm 
 or Apprehension of Danger or Uneasiness, but entcrd 
 into Conversation in a manner that beguiled the Way. — 
 I just took some Refreshment at Buscott, and tho much 
 pressed to stay, the next Day being Xmas Day I refused 
 and got home not without peril by 10 o Clock — By what 
 I can find her Situation at Buscot is far from being 
 pleasant, M^^ Loveden being her opposite in Character 
 and her brother a mere Sportsman. She is in better 
 health than ever and looks as well, and for want of better 
 amusement talks of hunting this Winter — and going to 
 Town in the Spring. 
 
 The first letter of the new year came from George, 
 who wrote on January the ist, 1778, and recounted 
 how he had visited Mr. James, the father of Richard's 
 former pupils, 
 
 who talked much of your situation, and said he should 
 if possible find out for you some pupils — he wished you 
 was within 30 miles of him, as then he said he would 
 immediately send his boys to you. I played with them 
 before dinner, till I could stand no longer, and to oblige 
 M^ James, attempted to get a sketch of Joseph's face. 
 . . . Sunday M^ Sam^ and Rich*^ Long came down with 
 their Sister, to go to the Ball on Monday at the Talbot, 
 where they had 100 people of fashion, luckyly I was 
 obliged to go to Town and so escaped it. . . . In 
 conversation with M^ Tapp I could not avoid telling him 
 that M' Smith had not been at Driffield. I said you and 
 him had settled the Living at the rate you mention that 
 instead of going to D. he had sent for you over to 
 Cirencester, where he staid two or three days and then 
 set out for Abingdon and Oxford, in haste I supposed 
 to see his Sister who was exceeding ill. 
 
1 64 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 He diverged to mention that " M^^ Balchen of Good- 
 man's Fields died on Monday," and that "The Old 
 Man is I hear much shocked at it," and returned to the 
 subject of Mr. Tapp, who 
 
 said to me the other day that he should by no means think 
 of John's being with you without paying in some way 
 for the trouble he gave. I told him you had I was sure, 
 no such wish, and that you would readyly afford him any 
 service in your power, without any interested motive — 
 but he rejoined that He could not by any means agree 
 to his being with you, unless you would be paid for his 
 board &c, and in that case, nothing he thought would 
 be more likely to restore his health especially as John 
 earnestly desires it. 
 
 John was their cousin, John Balchen, of Newington, 
 who was now somewhere about eighteen and was showing 
 signs of consumption, to which the whole of the Newing- 
 ton family were subject. 
 
 Richard, on the 5th, replied. He had ridden to Ciren- 
 cester " in expectation of an answer to a Letter of Mine, 
 sent to the Post on Teusday last in the Morning," which 
 letter had contained 
 
 a Page of common place from Mother — the rest was 
 filled by your humble Servant with an account of a Visit 
 made rather unexpectedly by Miss Townsend to Driffield, 
 with some little anecdotes of that Lady not worth 
 repeating. . . . What M^ 'T^PP nientiond of paying 
 for John's Board rather vexes me, as I look upon it as a 
 Cut of humble Pye, the natural Consequence of some 
 late Transactions. I shall oppose accepting any thing 
 as far as possible as I shoud be exceedingly glad of his 
 Company as a Visitor but not as a Boarder for a few 
 weeks. Mother begs you'll make her Compts to M^ and 
 M^s Tapp and tomorrow being his Birth Day, is deter- 
 mined to drink his health in a glass of his own Wine 
 
The Cumberland Letters 165 
 
 wishing him many happy returns of the Day. This as 
 opportunity serves. 
 
 George, next day, was inditing a somewhat agitated 
 letter. 
 
 i past II. Jan 5. 1778. 
 
 My Dear friend let me talk with you a Little I cannot 
 rest without convincing you at least of my inclination 
 to write — I often cry out when alone and filled with 
 careful thoughts, am I never to find rest ? must paultry 
 concerns for ever disquiet me ? shall I go on always 
 thus, and at last quit this world dissatisfied with myself 
 and every thing in it ? — Assuredly I was not sent here 
 to be unhappy — In this manner I reply — Cease to be 
 depressed at every opposition to thy wishes — desire 
 nothing which is unlikely to be, magnify thy good 
 fortune, submit to thy bad, call the ills that befall thee 
 common events and thou wilt be happy. — ^Just so I 
 thought before I took up this pen, just so, I often think 
 and the end is — I resolve within myself that I will plan 
 a life of real usefulness- — doing good and seeking oppor- 
 tunities of doing it, bearing all events patiently and 
 seeking no satisfaction but that which arises from the 
 consciousness of a life well spent — forgiving at the 
 moment I am offended, and offending no one — Charmed 
 with these delightful resolutions, I retire to my Chamber, 
 address myself to the Almighty with the utmost humility, 
 and fall asleep fill** with the pleasing vision — 
 
 If this could last it were well, — the next day perhaps 
 some unthought of concern rises in my mind I fret at 
 the neglect, — a person offends me, — and I resent it — 
 I give offence without intending it — and upon the 
 discovery, am out of humour for so doing. To be 
 short, the whole string of my good resolutions go to 
 ruin, one by one and then I begin to recollect them and 
 set out afresh : — there are two lines which I often 
 repeat and they beget in me a momentary enthusiasm — 
 They are these. 
 
 For this fair Virtue welcome all the past 
 For this fair Virtue welcome e'n the last. 
 
1 66 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 But the impression flies the moment I mix with 
 the world and then a french Ballad is perhaps upper- 
 most. 
 
 Shall I tell you the result of this ? I grow more than 
 humble — I hate myself — and am enraged at my own 
 weakness. In these moments I fall from the hight of 
 mirth into the profoundest melancholy, upon a sudden 
 thought coming cross me that it is folly — and when I 
 have been tempted to laugh at an irreligious jest — I have 
 felt a heavyness exceeding care, — Enough of confessions, 
 I must go to bed — and shall only say, that at present, 
 and always, I am convinced that content alone is true 
 happiness, and the means — by religion and virtue — 
 
 6^^ Jan, — ^These were my last thoughts, last night, 
 I read them over to see if they can be of any service 
 to me to day — I thought in my heart but this moment 
 that I would not send them to you — reflection has con- 
 vinced me that I am wrong — ^why is it that we are 
 afraid to divulge these sensations that do us most 
 honour ? Wherefore should I conceal from my best, 
 real friend, that I sometimes resolve well tho I do not 
 always act so — Good Heaven ! that example should 
 teach us to appear so unlike ourselves — How different 
 this World and the next ! what we blush to reveal here, 
 is what we shall be proud to acknowledge there — what 
 we now boast of, will be our shame — But here we are 
 judged of men, there of Angels — 
 
 Writing thus fortifies my mind — thinking thus secures 
 me from being wholly carried away by evil example, 
 and communicating such emanations of my mind to you 
 who I am sure think and act much better — is both a 
 relief and a pleasure — for as I love you I wish you to 
 think well of me — I trust I shall not be deceived in 
 the opinion I have formed of your heart — because it 
 is the result of experience — If it were possible I should, 
 I here declare to you, I should grow a Misanthrope in 
 every sense — A Thousand thanks for your last — it 
 communicated spirits to me as I read it — what you 
 mention are characteristic, characteristic of a good heart 
 
The Cumberland hetters 167 
 
 — but think you my dear friend in sincerity, I am worthy 
 of being blessed with the regard of an amiable female ? 
 and think you there are hopes from that Quarter ? 
 Weigh the matter coolly, /or / cannot — and tell me the 
 result of your opinion — fairly — openly — I have resolu- 
 tion tho I am biassed — something tells me (like prudence) 
 that I could for life be happy with her — for lo years 
 only with any other — Ignorant as I am I know the 
 difference between mere love, and love added to esteem 
 — I know the one in some circumstances may suffice 
 — I know the other can never fail — 
 
 "Jan 7 evening — ^As I had not this in my pocket yester- 
 day I was forced to scribble a line merely for the sake 
 of enclosing a Post Bill for ^lo. payable to your order 
 — it came into my head that you would possibly come 
 more immediately, indeed when I wrote last I was in 
 doubt whether you would approve of my appropriating 
 any part of the Money to the purpose of paying M^ 
 EHns tho you said you could spare ^^lo and it was not 
 much more — ^when the rent was brought to account — 
 But what was I to do, my word was given to M^ E. it 
 should be paid. — I had reced no salary nor Rent, nor had 
 any to pay it with, and you know it was not on my own 
 account I enterd into the engagement — before I got 
 your last to day, I had determined to pluck up Spirit, 
 and ask M^ E. to continue to loan again — he has done 
 so and I have again promised it shall be discharged soon — 
 if it was in my power I would pay it out of my own 
 pocket but my Mother and you are sensible it is not — 
 In consequence of this you may [ ] and if the 
 
 account be ^23. 10. 2 I am not sure that is the sum 
 and add to the other side the ;£io I have remitted 
 yesterday — I shall send no more till I hear from you 
 again — but I beseech you let my Mothers accounts 
 and yours continue in one as I have stated it, otherwise 
 with three or 4 others that I have I shall make some 
 mixture that will confuse me and as you are with her 
 it will be better — I assure you my own is a hoot^ for I 
 have no time to keep it — the first Bill for ^^20 shall 
 
^68 ^he Cumberland Letters 
 
 be paid when it comes to hand — but why do you tell 
 me of Stocks and farms as if I doubted you — believe me 
 what I have is not more my own than yours — when I 
 have a little settled my own small debts, which I always 
 call in at Xmas, if I have any thing remaining I will 
 tell you some thing I shall have, for I got ^lo added to 
 my Gratuity to buy. . . . 
 
 A week later George sent news from " St. Clement's 
 Coffee Ho. Sunday Jan. ii. 1778," of his approaches 
 to Mr, Smith, the present state of whose temper both 
 brothers were desirous of ascertaining. 
 
 No pain on my part was omitted to get informd of 
 the day when M^ Smith came to Town, that I might 
 see him before he had met that person whom I and you 
 Suspect, is the poisoner of his Mind — and accordingly, 
 I went there on Friday Evening as soon after he came to 
 Town as possible — I was let in, to the passage, and the 
 servant announced me — thro the open door I saw M' 
 Smith sitting — and had the dissatisfaction to hear him 
 say, — Tell him I am busy, am engaged — tell him to call 
 an other time — I did not wait for the maid to deliver, 
 what I had heard — and she only said — My Master is 
 not very well — ^he is tired with his Journey &c, &c — 
 I did not altogether like the circumstance but thought 
 it might be so. Today before 2 I went again — M^ 
 Smith came out — I presented my hand and he took it 
 but kept pushing towards the Street door — I asked a 
 question or two as fast as the time would permit me, 
 to which he ans^^ as fast. How does M^^ Smith ? — She's 
 Well thank you. — Your Sister ? — ^Very bad. — ^we shall 
 be glad to see you when we come to Town again — we 
 are going into the Country — to Oxford — ^Yes — ^good 
 bye to you — I wish you well — From thence I came to 
 dine here. ... I find since I was there, that they do not 
 go to Oxford till next week, so must look on M^ S. 
 behavior as a genteel way of forbidding me his house — 
 but be assured I shall make another effort — and he shall 
 
irhe Cumberland Letters i6g 
 
 speak plainer before I understand him — this on your 
 account — for on my own, I declare the friendship has 
 given me so often uneasyness, and been so tickelish to 
 manage that the loss of it without any fault of mine, 
 would give me but little uneasyness — by this I mean, 
 since M' S. has been surrounded by such a set of Syco- 
 phan[ts]. 
 
 By " Wednesday Morn^ 14. Jan." George had a more 
 cheerful theme. 
 
 You must come to Town as soon as you possibly can — 
 M' Long was with me this Morning and did me the 
 pleasure to say that he believed he had hit on a plan 
 which would be likely to turn out beneficial to you, with 
 regard to Pupils, and had an intention of sending one 
 of his own Sons, (I suppose William) to be under your 
 care — there are two others he hinted but said he would 
 talk with you when you came to Town as that he thought 
 would be the best way. M^ Cross has been with me [ ] I 
 wrote this, and we have had some conversation about it. 
 He says he believes it is Richard — if so the plan I suspect 
 will be to place him as a boarder — to amuse his mind 
 with diversion and liesure — He is good tempered, and 
 has an agreeable outward carriage — but I fear his [his] 
 mind does not afford the most promising prospect. I 
 told M^ L. I believed you could very well contrive to 
 accomodate 3 at present &c, &c — of which we will talk 
 when we meet. ... Do not forget to call at Buscott 
 in your way and tell Miss Townsend that her ticket is 
 a Blank. Ask if she got mine with an account of its being 
 undrawn and say I would have wrote again, but was 
 ashamed to be for ever tiring her with Lett^^. 
 
 The next letter from Richard, written before he had 
 received that despatched on the previous day, which 
 was to make so great a change in his domestic affairs, 
 set forth in detail his negotiations in the matter of tithes 
 with the local farmers. 
 
I70 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 Thursday night 15 Jar^. 
 Dear George, 
 
 Tho I wrote you a long Letter this week (on 
 Teusday I think) yet having left some things unsaid, 
 for want of Room, I am determined to trouble you with 
 another As I just mention'd the difference I had found 
 in assessing the Farmers at Harnhill, I will beg your 
 patience, while I state the case from first to last. After 
 having assessed Driffield at 3. 6 on enclosed 2. 6^ on 
 Common Field and 2^ on Grass Land — I turn'd my 
 thoughts towards Harnhill — and after considering it 
 in the same light as Driffield found that if I raised it 
 by the Acre the augmentation would be much greater 
 especially on M^ Smiths Farm which woud have been 
 considerably more than doubled — accordingly I changed 
 my method and knowing that an assessment on the Pound 
 woud fall easy on Howell M^ S. tenant I declared my 
 Intention of laying it in that manner and to take off 
 Imputation of partiallity said that Driffield being part 
 Tithe Free I was oblig'd to go by the Acre but Harnhill 
 not having that objection I shoud take the easiest Method. 
 The only difficulty that remained was how much in 
 the pound to demand — ^This depending on their Rents 
 — and being sensible that either 4. 6 or even 4^ which 
 M^ Ekins mentiond, woud run up higher than I wished 
 — I determined to see M^ Smith before I did any thing 
 at Harnhill, and waited on him as I told you at Bath. 
 In a long conversation I had with him — for we were 
 almost alone the whole morning — I acquainted him 
 with what I had done at Driffield and what I proposed 
 doing at Harnhill — adding that on the whole I hoped 
 to make the Livings worth 200 a year, which sum I 
 mention'd, as being the most, I ever expected to make — 
 He was perfectly agreeable, made no objections, thought 
 it a pretty Income, and what I might live very com- 
 fortably upon, and very readily acquainted me with 
 the Rent of his Farm 122^^ adding at the same Time 
 that he had been lately offered 50^ a year more for it — 
 that he beleived Howell the Tenant had a good Bargain 
 
 J 
 
The Cumberland Letters 171 
 
 of it — and told me an anecdote of that Family — that 
 when he was about to let it, the late Lord Coleraine 
 sent to him, and in the most friendly Manner caution'd 
 him to be on his Guard in making any agreement with 
 the Howells, who he represented as the most artful 
 people on Earth — tho very good Farmers — He had this 
 from experience as old Howell rents the best Farm at 
 Driffield. 
 
 A few days after my return from Bath I called the 
 Harnhill people together, and told them I shoud accept 
 3. 6^ in the pound. None of them started an objection 
 of any Weight, to this proposal and I desired those who 
 chose to agree to sign a paper, signifying that such an 
 agreement was enterd into, and was to continue three 
 years. They read the paper, saw nothing in it to object 
 to, but refused to sign till they had Leave from their 
 Landlords, and desired Time to write to them. As I 
 had not acquainted M^ Blackwell with my Intention, 
 I thought this request reasonable in his Tennants, but 
 having consulted M^ Smith but a few Days before I 
 told Howell, I saw no objection he had to make as I coud 
 assure him his Landlord approved of the measures I 
 was taking but on his persisting in not signing till M^ S. 
 gave him leave — without being asked I sat Down and 
 wrote a Direction to M^ Smith at Bath ; and giving it 
 him before the rest, said with some warmth — there 
 M^^ Howell is your Landlords Direction, but this I must 
 tell you I look on your Behavior in this affair exactly 
 of a piece with your refusing to pay [ ] Rent to M^ 
 
 Timbrell, tho he shewed you my hand writing for it — 
 and here we parted. You may remember the affair 
 I referd to when I wrote to Timbrell by M^ Smiths 
 desire to receive his Rent — and instead of paying it 
 he wrote a plausible Letter to M^ Smith and threw the 
 blame of not paying it on Timbrell — Encouraged by his 
 former success he set off immediately to Bath, and so 
 wrought on M^ S. that he made him beleive that I was 
 taking 21 pounds a year out of my Benefactors pocket 
 and at the same Time endeavs to set aside a modus or 
 
J. Howell . 
 W. Bourton 
 J. Hicks 
 H. Howell 
 J. Hewlings 
 W. Brush . 
 
 172 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 small Tithes by getting them to sign a paper for that 
 purpose — ^The consequence of this I have told you — He 
 came to Cicester — and to explain my Intentions to him 
 I drew up a scetch of the design'd Improv^ on Harnhill 
 at 3. 6^ in the pound — founding my proportion on what 
 I had raised Howell to — thus 
 
 OU Tithe New Tithe 
 
 12. 10. — 21. 7. — 
 
 6 . . 15 . 
 
 6. 15 . II. 3 
 
 1. 15. 4 2. 18 
 
 2. 19 . 4. 19 
 . II . .18 
 
 This I gave M^ Smith and he approv^^ a meeting of the 
 Farmers, to know if they agreed to it — first desiring me 
 to take off 6^ in the pound from his Tenant which 
 reduced his to 18. 6^ — Our Meeting was to be in the 
 afternoon of the following Day. Previous to it I con- 
 trived to see M^ Blackwell, and asked if he approved of 
 his Tenants setting with me before M^ S. He replied 
 that he had rather they woud not as he intended to 
 enquire into the Business himself and wished I woud 
 defer it a little while for that purpose. Accordingly 
 we only settled with M^ Hewlings — ^W°^ Brush as above 
 and J Howell except the odd 6^ which M^ S. made me 
 bate him. Since that M^ Blackwell sent me word he 
 had not time to consider it, and wished me to settle with 
 his Tenants. We met the other Day, and I made them 
 the same offer as before 3. 6<^ in the pound, but on finding 
 Hicks rented 100 and Bourton 120^^ a year — and that 
 the Tithe of one woud amount to 18 the other to 21^^^ 
 I immediately took off 6<^ in the ^ the same as from 
 M^ Smiths Tenant and gave that as my final answer tho 
 had they accepted it, I meant to have remitted voluntarily 
 all above what it amounted to in M^ Smiths scheme and 
 hinted I might throw back something — but M^ Howell 
 refusing to pay more than 20^^^ ^ year, no Business 
 was done, and before we parted I told them it was the 
 last Time I shoud give myself the trouble to fix a meeting 
 
The Cumberland Letters 173 
 
 to no purpose. This is the state of the case only I shoud 
 have told you that W. Bourton happening to be at M^ 
 S. meeting saw himself there set down at ^15 and on that 
 account only is unwilling to agree to pay more — I since 
 find that J. Howell has such a Bargain in his Tithes, 
 that I might venture to offer him the 18^^ instead of 
 his paying it me, for leave to take up — ^Your advice 
 how to proceed will much oblige. 
 
 Yours affect^y, 
 
 R. D. Cumberland. 
 M' Geo: Cumberland, 
 
 Exchange Insurance, 
 London, 
 
 It is clear that Richard was anxiously just and moderate 
 in his dealings with these his parishioners, but he had 
 perhaps rather too strong a sense of the degree of virtue 
 which he was exercising towards them, and — not being 
 himself a countryman, nor long established among them 
 — ^was disposed to hurry them a little more than is agree- 
 able to rustic habits of mind, and may easily have aroused 
 their suspicion. He was, it may be remembered, still 
 but a young man ; ten years later he would probably 
 have known how to carry through his scheme with much 
 less friction. 
 
 Between the 15 th and the 26th he had been to London, 
 seen Mr. Long and arranged to receive two boys, one 
 of them a son, the other a ward — perhaps a nephew — 
 of his, in the course of the next fortnight. An elder 
 Long was to come somewhat later and to be prepared 
 for Oxford. 
 
 On the 26th George in London received a letter which 
 annoyed him extremely. He wrote marking the time as 
 " 2 o' Clock," probably within an hour of receiving it. 
 
 I opened your Lett, this moment with a pish, because 
 after my frequent hints it came unsealed. — I declare 
 
174 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 it was on your account and not on my own that I 
 grumbled : — I read on four lines, — " now said I he has 
 
 told the T ^Is " [Timbrells] " or God knows who, all 
 
 his opinion about a young Lady, perhaps of their 
 
 acquaintance — but when I found it was T d you 
 
 were speaking of I grew warm — what devil possesses him 
 
 to be so incautious of my Secrets — if the T ^Is get 
 
 only a hint of my partiallity, I am lost." 
 
 Having finished my scolding and Vented my indignat- 
 tion — I will finish my other business and then return 
 to your Lett. 
 4 Clock, 
 
 While my beef Stake is dressing at the Eating house 
 I seize the pen again, and thank you for only telling me 
 that T. enquired after me, tho by your saying no more, 
 I imagine it was in a very indifferent manner. I begin 
 to fear somebody has told her it is imprudent to corre- 
 spond with me for I have not heard from her these two 
 months tho I have wrote twice in that time to Bath. 
 . . . Your velvet is dyed and at the same time an Old 
 blew silk waistcoat, which was found in the Chest also 
 Teagel [or perhaps Seagel] was with me this Morng 
 and I proposed to him to make you two pair of breeches 
 out of the velvet, but he assured me it would make little 
 more than one — however I squeessed a promise from him 
 that he would contrive to get a Waistcoat and Breeches 
 from the stuff, and to save backs and linings, he is to 
 make them of the Old waistcoat, which will serve no 
 other purpose, being as full of holes as a seive. — ^The 
 Dyers bill which I have paid comes to 1 8/ — but the things 
 I send will be worth to you ^6 — so that I do not think 
 it was a bad scheme. 
 
 A gentleman frequently mentioned, generally as 
 " my friend James," in Richard's earlier letters is the 
 writer of the next communication, which bears the post- 
 mark of January the 26th and was directed to Richard 
 at " M^ Sprawton's, 37 Friday Street," where it was too 
 late to find him. " My friend James," who must not 
 
The Cumberland L^etters 175 
 
 be confused with his namesake of Ham, to whose sons 
 Richard had been tutor, was, Uke his correspondent, 
 a clergyman and had evidently been invited to undertake 
 the duties of a curate at Driffield and Harnhill, and to 
 assist in the education of the expected pupils. He 
 expressed the greatest willingness to do so, but was afraid 
 there might be a difficulty about the length of notice 
 necessary before leaving his present post, the rather that 
 " my Rector is very warm and hasty." 
 
 On February the 5th George probably sent to Miss 
 Townsend the letter of which a draft, bearing that date, 
 appears. It mentions that Richard had been staying 
 in London and had gone home, taking with him two 
 pupils, and that he had " a third coming to be trained 
 for the Surplice and Gown." After speaking of the 
 visit that Miss Townsend had paid at Driffield, George 
 continued in a rather bolder strain than he had ever 
 ventured before : 
 
 In a word I have an opinion that you communicate a 
 satisfaction wherever you go — In this I judge from my 
 own sensations when you are so good as to treat me with 
 a line, and I begin to hope it will not be a long time before 
 I add another of yours to a small parcel which I set more 
 value by than I may perhaps be allowed to express. 
 
 He went on to speak of a recent visit to the theatre, where 
 he had seen 
 
 Miss More's Tragedy, and was much pleased with the 
 representation of it, which notwithstanding the weakness 
 of our Covent Garden Theatre, was almost as well 
 performed as I think she could have desired. The 
 language I think is characteristick of the times she wishes 
 to represent, and the female characters truly feminine 
 and dehcate. Its fault if you call it such is what her 
 Poem is not without, it excites pity to such a degree as 
 
176 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 to become painful and distressing. M^ Cumberland's 
 Battle of Hastings at the other house is likewise well 
 played and is I think a pleasing tragedy — ^he has had a 
 little more mercy on our feelings, which is objected to 
 him as a fault, but to me who am no friend to slaughter 
 and destruction, he stands acquitted — without any 
 partiallity I must say I think it a pleasing tragedy. 
 
 Within a day or two of the writing of this letter 
 Richard must have written that which appears below. 
 He having accidentally dated it with the number of 
 the year just finished it stands in the collection much 
 earlier than those which explain the plan that was to 
 give " new Inhabitants " to Driffield. 
 
 Driffield ^^^ Felf 7. ^'j. 
 
 Dear George, 
 
 I write by the first post to acquaint you with 
 our safe arival here yesterday to Dinner. In our way 
 Down we slept at Oxford, where I heard nothing but 
 what was satisfactory respecting M^ Longs plans of being 
 admitted there. We supped that Night at Maudlin 
 with M' Matthews who Breakfasted with us the next 
 morning and was very intelligent about Degrees, method 
 of living, and other things of that Nature, and in the 
 end convinced me that Oxford was to be prefer'd to 
 Cambridge especially for one in M^ Longs Situation, 
 and that a small College would be more convenient than 
 a larger Society. 
 
 I have been this morning to visit our new Neighbour 
 M' Lambert and am highly pleased with his manner and 
 Behavior which is perfectly easy and agreable. M^^ 
 Lambert too is a very agreable woman, or somewhat 
 more and they have a fine little Boy about 5 years old, 
 whom I have invited to play with mine. I found every 
 thing right at Drifiield and hope we shall make it agreable 
 to its new Inhabitants — they are both well and in good 
 Spirits, as you may tell M^ Long when you see him. I 
 shall take it as a favour if you will send the Box and a 
 
The Cumberland Letters 177 
 
 Loaf of 9^ Sugar by the next Waggon — As I shall soon 
 be oblig'd to trouble you with some more Commis- 
 sions and have great Expences coming on here it will be 
 necessary to take up the remainder of M' Cross's Money 
 in a little Time unless our own can be sold out as soon 
 as settled — ^Let me know which you think best, as I 
 have only 6 or 7 guineas left after paying the Expenses 
 of our Journey — Let me hear from you soon and beleive 
 me dear George, 
 
 Yours affectionately, 
 
 R. D. Cumberland. 
 
 M^ George Cumberland, 
 
 Exchange Insurance, 
 London. 
 
 A gossiping letter from Richard speaks feelingly of 
 the illness of another of the Balchen sisters, " poor 
 Susan," and refers again to the proposed visit of her 
 brother John to Driffield, who could still be accommo- 
 dated " without Difficulty if he will take up with a 
 Bed in my Room " — an arrangement to which, in the 
 case of a consumptive person, medical science had not 
 yet seen reason to object. So far were our ancestors 
 from supposing such patients either dangerous to their 
 neighbours or in need on their own account of fresh air, 
 that the accepted treatment, at this period, was to keep 
 them throughout the winter season in one heated room, 
 to which their kindly friends resorted as much as possible, 
 in order to keep them amused. In these conditions the 
 disease was apt to carry off member after member of 
 a family — as was the case with the Balchens. That 
 Richard did not contract it from John during a visit 
 of some duration, in which the lad slept (doubtless with 
 closed windows) in the same room, seems to show that 
 he had not that tendency to it which he seems to have 
 supposed. The passion of both Cumberland brothers 
 
 M 
 
1 78 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 for spending long hours out of doors was doubtless 
 of advantage to their health ; Richard, in particular, 
 from being a delicate youth, seems to have become a 
 hale man. 
 
 The eldest pupil, Richard Long, v^^as not to come 
 until Lady Day, and 
 
 there are several Things I coud v^ish to have done before 
 he comes to make the place agreeable, such as getting 
 another or better Servant — finishing my Repairs and 
 Buildings. . . . You desire to knov^ how my mother 
 likes her new Employ. You may easily form a Judgment 
 of her behavior in it from her general Character. She 
 likes the Boys and indulges them, in spite of all I can say, 
 to an Excess, at the same Time, I cannot persuade her 
 to comply with certain forms necessary in the manage- 
 ment of a Boarding House, nor tho so essential now, to 
 put the best Face on things they will bear — ^however 
 hope in Time to convince her of the necessity of it. 
 
 On the last day of February he was writing again 
 about his domestic plans. 
 
 Finding it impracticable to get the new Room built 
 by that Time (Lady Day) I have ceiled one of the Garrets 
 and with a little Paper shall soon make it the pleasantest 
 Room in the House. I design it for Myself. The Boys 
 sleep in the Green Room, and M^ Long will have the 
 Blue. — This must be the plan till the new Room is 
 finished, for which all the Timber is cut out, and I have 
 open'd a Slate Quarry at Harnhill which promises well. 
 . . . My young Friends are well, and turn out better 
 than I at first expected, especially Long — the other is 
 rather too nice and deHcate — ^he seems to have a good 
 Disposition at the bottom but has been ruined, by a 
 false mode of Education. 
 
 The word " nice," it should be remembered, had not 
 in the eighteenth century lost, as it has with us, all 
 definiteness of signification, but indicated a quality of 
 
The Cumberland Letters 179 
 
 fastidiousness, with perhaps a shade o£ fussiness ; the 
 Scotch " pernickety " comes near to being an equivalent ; 
 " delicate " is akin to it, and means something near to 
 " dainty," " particular." 
 
 The next letter, also from Richard, is dated merely 
 " Monday night," but the postmark — March loth — 
 is more precise. A box had just arrived at Driffield, 
 atid " tho it is late," Richard could " not go to bed in 
 Peace without thanking you." George, whose lively 
 imagination enabled him, no doubt, to put himself in 
 the place of others, had been unusually happy in his 
 choice of sendings. 
 
 The Glasses are all whole, and will be of use in our 
 Family ; the Line is the very Instrument that I most 
 wanted as not an Acre of my Glebe is measured, which 
 is attended with many Inconveniences and deceptions. 
 Mother is much obligd to You for the Pepermint Drops 
 and Pocket Book — the newspaper too (Augs* 1770) 
 [Whether the words in the parenthesis formed part of 
 the original letter or were written in later, perhaps by 
 George, I cannot be certain] entertained her much — 
 we put it into her hands for a new one and she read it 
 very seriously, till she came to a paragraph, mentioning 
 that Wheat Harvest had begun last week in Herts — And 
 then asked us with the utmost simplicity if it was not 
 very soon to begin Harvest, and was perfectly satisfied 
 with our saying they were forwarder than we were. 
 
 This last incident I take to be conclusive evidence 
 that Mrs. Cumberland was not a countrywoman. 
 
 George had been expressing an opinion that his 
 brother should now marry, and had proposed to look 
 him out a suitable lady. 
 
 You have undertaken a difficult Task, I must Confess 
 as these Matters generally go, to find a good Woman — 
 one that you can recommend as a Wife to your Friend — 
 
i8o The Cumberland Letters 
 
 and I esteem it the best Proof you can give of Your 
 Friendship, but before you cai;i be in earnest in the Search, 
 You must be convinced that I am too, which is I can 
 assure you the Case — but pray who is this beauteous 
 Widow you correspond with without seeing — do you 
 say this to whet my Curiosity but You know I am proof 
 against Beauty, and think neatness and good Nature 
 every thing in a Wife, with these she cannot be ugly, 
 and without them must be disagreeable. . . . Every 
 thing goes well at home and the old Lady is well to a 
 Miracle. Thank Heaven my Lot has fell [fell] in a fair 
 Ground, and I begin to think Driffield the Monpellier 
 of England. Out of upwards of loo People in our 
 Parish, I have buried only one Old Man turn'd of 80, 
 since I have been here which I think extraordinary as 
 we have so many Children and so great an app[earance] 
 of poverty and Want among them. 
 
 Richard was, during Lent, holding Sunday evening 
 services — or perhaps lectures, the word is torn — for 
 young people, ^' and have succeeded beyond my expecta- 
 tion, as they attend constantly and are very Attentive." 
 From many little hints in the correspondence I am led 
 to believe that Richard Cumberland was a good teacher 
 and had a happy way with children. His temper seems 
 to have been even, his mind not too rapid, and he took 
 that pleasure in common, concrete details which puts 
 an adult pleasantly on a level with young companions. 
 He always appears on good terms with his juniors. 
 Evidently, also, his relations with his poorer parishioners 
 were more cordial than with those who were " titheable." 
 He went on, now, to remark : 
 
 One thing I am convinced of that the Ignorance 
 of the Common People arises more from the Negligence 
 of those who ought to teach them, than from their 
 own Carelessness and Stupidity, as we are apt to call it. 
 
The Cumberland Letters iSi 
 
 On the nth it is announced that 
 
 John Balchen is arrived. I met him this Morning 
 at Barnsley and put him on the old horse, which con- 
 veyd him safe home — he is very well after his Journey, 
 and already intimate with D. and L. who with my 
 Mother are playing at Whist, while I write so you will 
 not wonder at the stile of this — 
 
 a remark which suggests, on the part of the Driffield 
 players, something short of the hushed silence proper 
 to a game of whist. The last paragraph of the letter 
 contains news of more direct personal interest to George. 
 
 I heard the other Day Miss Townsend is in Town, 
 but coud not learn where or with whom — suppose 
 you have found her by this Time as two such congenial 
 Spirits cannot be long in the same City without meeting. 
 Perhaps the lady in Southampton Buildings you break- 
 fast with on Examination may prove the same, let me 
 know. 
 
 That this guess was correct the following letter will 
 show : 
 
 Tuesday everf Mar i6, 1778. 
 
 Dear Brother, 
 
 When we were last together, if you remember, 
 you promised to consult me, on any matrimonial scheme 
 you should undertake, and I did the same — we then 
 
 had some conversation about Miss T and you 
 
 advised me to improve any advantages, when she next 
 was in Town. — In consequence of that opinion of 
 yours — I will now tell you how that business stands 
 at present, that you may form a Judgment of my pros- 
 pects — 
 
 On Monday week, I had the good fortune to call 
 at my Lodgins and find a note from her, asking my 
 company to the play or if inconvenient, desiring me 
 to step up before the play began to her Lodgins in 
 Southampton builds. — I need not say I was overjoyed, 
 and lost no time, she was with a M^ and M^^ Baxter, of 
 
1 82 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 Leicestershire, with whom she had been all last Summer, 
 — I took them under my care, found M^^ B. an agreeable 
 woman, and supped with them — My sensasion on seeing 
 her was that of pleasure and pain — which took away 
 all my vivacity — I have often forced a smile but never 
 laught in my heart since, — I cannot say or act a Jest, 
 while I have something so serious to engage my mind — 
 and of course am respectful and stupid ; — On Wednesday 
 I spent the whole morns in going to Lord Therrys 
 and the Painters with them and she expressed much 
 entertainment — and Sunday morn^ I called to paint 
 Miss T. Picture — I sketched it and they being engaged 
 to Dinner, I went to the Adelphi Tavern, and after- 
 wards met them in the evening — Yesterday evening 
 I supped with them, today they were to spend the 
 morns with me, they did not come, which mortified 
 me a little, but I have seen them since in a hackney 
 coach, and they have promised to give me a full and 
 sufficient reason tomorrow, if I breakfast with them — 
 I forgot to tell you on Thursday I accompanied M' 
 and M^s B. to have their picture began, but Miss T. 
 could not go — M^ Baxter goes home tomorrow night — 
 and leaves the Ladies — on Sunday I go to Mass with 
 them, and on Monday to the Pantheon — so much 
 for the interviews — Miss T. treats me with the utmost 
 affability — and confidence — I have even some slight 
 grounds from her general behaviour and carriage to 
 think that she has no aversion to me — and both M^ and 
 Mrs B have dropped some expressions which I think 
 have an allusion to it — yet I dare not trust my own 
 interpretations — I fear a mistake — and a refusal would 
 sink my spirits perhaps for the remainder of my life — 
 I am cautious of advances lest they should deprive me 
 of the means of further ingratiating myself, and dread 
 a declaration when I am not sure of acceptance. 
 
 But supposing her incHnation to accompany my wishes 
 — I should have still a doubt if I ought in honour to 
 propose an alliance which I am not convinced would 
 tend to her further happyness — for tho after the strictest 
 
The Cumberland Letters 183 
 
 scrutiny I have reason to believe she would make me 
 perfectly so yet I doubt if it would be in my power to 
 render her an eaqual return — Confined as I am in business, 
 what an alteration must take place in her mode of living : 
 — in some measure she must partake of it — women love 
 attentions, and frequent regular absences, almost pre- 
 clude them — ^Tender as her health is, should she not 
 be able to live in London, how will it be in my power 
 to afford her that consolation of attendance which ill 
 health requires — and lastly may not the present situation 
 of my finances give room to suspect my sincerity — 
 
 All these considerations check my ardour, and as I 
 am determined if I so may to make a good husband, 
 so I carefully examine myself, lest fortune should betray 
 me into a state, which to be happy, should be free from 
 such motives — In a word, I think, I ought and am 
 determined, by some means, to state clearly my present 
 situation and future prospects to Miss T. by [ ] hint 
 at my intentions — for I can never bear the [ ] of 
 the least appearance of deceit in that point — and then 
 if this seems to make no apparent alteration in her 
 sentiments — I have a fair and honourable foundation 
 to go upon — ^you I dare say perceive the situation of 
 my mind from all this Letter — I wish you should, 
 and therefore as I would lay open my case to a physician 
 — I conceal nothing — of course I expect your prescription 
 — not in bad Latin, but good English, not in mystery but 
 in the language of plain friendship — In the mean time 
 
 I am yours 
 
 G. Cumberland. 
 
 P.S. I could not send the box Monday but will 
 tomorrow — ^while this continues I can do nothing as 
 I ought and the busiest time I have in the office is just 
 now — Susan is rather better, and dined in Town the 
 other day — ^The Jack was sent by the Cirencester Coach 
 from the Bell Savage Ludgate Hill. 
 
 Rev<* M^ Cumberland, 
 Driffelde near 
 
 Cirencester. 
 
1 84 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 Richard, a week later, after a few adverse remarks 
 upon some teaspoons that George had procured for 
 him, and some information about the settling at college 
 of his eldest pupil, Richard Long, came to the subject 
 of George's letter : 
 
 Your friendly and open manner of making me your 
 Confidant in an affair of so deHcate a Nature obliges 
 me much, tho I fear it will not be in my power to give 
 you any Satisfaction being a perfect Novice in Love. 
 . . . You and I think so differently and look on these 
 things in such various Lights that we shall never agree 
 in our Sentiments I fear and while I am only recommend- 
 ing an Attention to what may make you happy if entered 
 into with coolness and caution and prudence, you are 
 plunging over head and Ears in Nonsense, and talking 
 of being eternally happy or miserable according to your 
 Success in this particular Engagement. 
 
 Richard did not perceive any great discrepancy 
 of fortune "as your prospects are considerable." He 
 advised his brother not to rely too much upon a manner 
 towards him that might seem favourable. 
 
 She has lived much in the World, and is naturally 
 of a free undisguised Behaviour which compared with 
 that of other Women may appear encouraging, not 
 that I think you have any reason to Despair. 
 
 Finally, after pointing out that Miss Townsend 
 was " at her own Disposal and has nobody to consult, 
 or pretend to consult by [way] of evading an explicit 
 answer," he expressed an opinion that such an answer 
 " shoud in these Cases be insisted on as soon as possible." 
 
 Though somewhat pressed for money, in consequence 
 of the expenditure necessitated by the preparation 
 of his house for pupils and by the costs of housekeeping 
 until their fees were paid — he had not received these 
 
The Cumberland Letters 185 
 
 in advance, as modern teachers generally do — Richard 
 was very well satisfied with his position. His eldest 
 pupil, the rather backward Richard Long, proved a 
 pleasant inmate, 
 
 " and betwixt ourselves ... I prefer him as a pupil 
 to either of the other two — Not that I have any reason 
 to complain of them, for I sincerely think had I picked 
 Westminster and Eaton I coud not have met with two 
 Boys of their Age, less exceptionable on the whole — 
 John is here still, and as stout [i.e. strong] as ever — 
 he frequently walks 8 or lo Miles a Day, and makes 
 a good Playfellow to the others ... he is a very honest 
 good natured fellow and does not want Sense, but 
 there is a certain Cockneyishness about him, some- 
 thing of the Jerry Sneak in his Manner and Expression, 
 that makes him appear to the greatest Disadvantage, 
 and I fear it is too late to remedy it now. 
 
 The same cheerful frame of mind and also the same 
 need of money continued through the spring. On April 
 the 20th, " Our family here " was reported as going on 
 very well, 
 
 and my Pupils please me more every Day . . . Balchen 
 grows Stout and Hearty, eats and sleeps like an Emperor 
 and is indeed much hardier than any of us never taking 
 Cold tho always abroad. 
 
 On the previous Saturday Richard had " had our 
 Farmers Feast " ; they had come 
 
 with cherfulness, paid their Money [i.e. their tithes] 
 without complaining and behaved as usual — some of 
 them staid till near Ten and went home half Sea over 
 . . . Yesterday I gave a Dinner to all the poor Families, 
 Men, Women and Children they had plenty of Beef 
 Roast or Boild and as much Ale as they chose — and on 
 Thursday next My Mother is to entertain the Farmers 
 Wives and Daughters. 
 
1 86 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 Mr. Smith was still estranged and Richard still dis- 
 tressed by that circumstance, but hopeful that the 
 intervention intended by Mr. Tapp might lead to 
 a reconciliation. " Miss T." had now left London and 
 was going to Gloucester ; George, it appears, had 
 
 not been quite so explicit in Your Sentiment there as 
 I expected. Shall I tell you plainly mine on that 
 Subject. The first good Girl I meet with in the Mind, 
 with just enough to pay Fees and preliminary [ ] or 
 on the other Hand, one of the common run with [ 
 enough to make amends for triffling Deficiencies anc, 
 of an amiable Temper — supposing a probability of our 
 making each other as happy as the generality of married 
 People, either of these will [ ] But as I am almost in 
 Despair of meeting with the former, from the experience 
 I have had of them, at least consistent with my Notion 
 of a good Woman, I must e'en do the best I can for 
 myself in the other Way. To tell you the Truth, I 
 think esteem a more promising Ingredient than Love, 
 in the State we are speaking of. Now you know my 
 mind assist me in the Execution of my plan and depend 
 upon it no body's Recommendation will be more 
 attended to than Yours. 
 
 At Whitsuntide Richard mentions merry-makings, 
 of which morris-dancing formed a part, an interesting 
 evidence of its persistence in Gloucestershire to a late 
 date. Mere chit-chat occupies the next letter or two, 
 but by the end of June Richard gave utterance to a 
 plaint. 
 
 Mother is as well as usual in health, or rather better. 
 In temper much the same, tho now and then a little 
 curbd by the Company of the Boys. Indeed on their 
 Account I find her very useful and only regret she will 
 not endeavor to make herself agreeable. 
 
 A day or two later Mrs. Cumberland must have been 
 cheered, if only temporarily, by the receipt of 
 
The Cumberland Letters 187 
 
 a couple of Presents sent her from Town one from 
 M^s Long containing 2 lb Tea 12 lb Sugar, plums, 
 rice &c, &c — the other from Coz Mary of a very pretty 
 Dress Cap with a Berkley Ribbon suit. 
 
 " Coz Mary " was Mary Balchen, of Newington, and a 
 " ribbon suit " was a set of ribbons arranged for the neck, 
 sleeves, and sometimes for the waist also. The nature 
 of a " Berkley Ribbon " remains a mystery. 
 
 George, replying on June the 29th, wrote, concerning 
 his mother, 
 
 I am sorry the country and new objects have not 
 given her new ways of thinking, but now I believe 
 it is an evil that will never be mended, however I think 
 the pupils you have must of force do some good — what 
 a pity it is that with so much ability to restrain her 
 temper on some occasions, and with so many good 
 qualities, and so much religion, she does not see the 
 unhappyness it occasions, and be good Natured always. 
 
 Much mention is made about this time of a horse 
 which Mr. James of Ham had declared his intention 
 of giving to Richard, and of which the transmission was 
 — ^like so many other services — ^left to the ever-willing 
 hands of Richard's brother. After many enquiries 
 as to which of several horses it was, the new owner 
 learned that he might expect a pony called Snip, and 
 that it had been suffering in some manner not par- 
 ticularised, in its neck. The following note, which 
 bears the incredible date of June the 31st, but was 
 written, as the postmark shows, upon the 30th, may 
 serve as a sample of George's many cares on behalf of 
 his family in the country. 
 
 Dear Richard, 
 
 I send you by the Flying Waggon tomorrow 
 the Horse which will I hope arrive safe by that 
 
1 88 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 conveyance, as Corderoy cannot leave the Royal Ex- 
 change any more than myself — the waggoner is I believe 
 to have 10/6 and I shall give him a note to you to give 
 him 2/6 extraordinary to drink provided he delivers 
 him safe and in good order — ^you may depend on it 
 I shall use every precaution to have him well taken 
 care off, and shall be sorry if it turns out otherwise 
 as the horse is now in the finest order imaginable, the 
 neck is quite well, and I can say nothing ails him but 
 a very slight cold, M^ J [ ] him last Thursday 
 
 which was rather unlucky [ ] Mondays waggon I 
 
 found would be too long in going to send him by that 
 conveyance — I could not go over to see him until this 
 afternoon, and as I had occasion to call at M' Cross' 
 Gros""" Square, I took that opportunity to try him — and 
 never rode a horse that walked better he goes a good 
 5 miles an hour — It is well I did not keep him I assure 
 you. 
 
 Adieu, 
 
 the Post is going, 
 
 G. Cumberland. 
 
 June 31, 1778 
 
 Rev<* Cumberland, 
 
 Driffelde, 
 
 Cirencester, 
 Gloces'^e. 
 
 But although the letter journeyed, the steed remained 
 behind. Next day George wrote again : 
 
 To my great disappointment and I suppose yours 
 also when I calld to-day for your horse to take him over, 
 to the Saracen's Head to deliver to the Waggoner, 
 The Ostler told me he was lame — I immediately sus- 
 pected he had been placed with some vicious horse 
 who had kicked him, but upon examination no injury 
 appeared, and I observed he could walk over the straw 
 without limping — accordingly I sent for the farrier 
 to take off his shoe when it appeared that all the nails 
 on one side had been drove too close, and one in par- 
 
The Cumberland Letters 189 
 
 ticular pressed him much — the farrier said his foot 
 must be stopped and advised some rest, 
 
 and Snip's journey was consequently delayed. 
 
 A letter of July the 21st throws light upon the costs 
 of country life in the eighteenth century. The board 
 of the two younger pupils was charged at £\2 19s. 
 each ; " a quarto book " at is. 6d- ha.d been purchased 
 for each ; one had had two pairs of stockings for 8s., 
 and had had his hair cut at the expense of is. ; the 
 other had been supplied with an eighteenpenny pen- 
 knife, and IS. 8d. had been paid for the letters they 
 had received. The charge for " Journey down " was 
 j^5 I2s. — a less sum than might have been expected 
 for the conveyance of three persons about a hundred 
 miles. As to the elder Long, his tutor hardly knew 
 how to frame an account for him, having very unwisely 
 settled nothing beforehand as to the rates at which 
 he was to be received. 
 
 A Quarter's Board ... I cannot estimate at less than 
 20j^s ... I am only affraid of too much stress being 
 laid on his Absense at College and the Presents which 
 have been sent, both of which being precarious ought 
 not to be considered. Suppose we state his Board and 
 Lodging at 30^s. Tuition 30j^s. Washing S^^s. Wine 
 (13 Bottles a Week being the least he Drinks) and Tea 
 20j^s. Not to mention his being welcome to bring 
 home what Friends he pleases this I think is as little as 
 any one can estimate and much cheaper on the whole 
 than you can board for in Town. 
 
 Three days later George had important news to 
 communicate, which he prefaced by the remark : 
 
 I Now think you ought to be by no means anxious 
 about a reconciliation with M' S. 
 
 M' Tapp one day last week found the opportunity 
 
I90 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 he has long wanted. M' and M'^ Smith and Miss Napp 
 [or possibly Nagg] dined with him. I heard of it and 
 waited impatiently for the next day, even began a 
 Lett' fully persuaded in my own mind, that I should 
 have the pleasure to write you word that he was con- 
 vinced, or at least that M^ T. and the rest would have 
 seen that he ought to he so. One would have justified 
 you in the (in the) world's Eye as much as the other. The 
 shock I felt could only be equald by yours (on M' Smith's 
 first unexpected behaviour to you at the Inn) when 
 I heard M^ Tapp say with a grave and cold countenance, 
 that he was sorry to find no reconcilement could be 
 expected, as you had certainly been the aggressor, 
 had offended M' Smith past forgiveness and deceived 
 him by concealing what had passed — I was going to 
 say with passion it was all false, that you only was de- 
 ceived, injured, and abused — I did say with some heat 
 it could not be true — but perceiving M^ Tapp taking 
 fire, with some difficulty I moderated my passion and 
 told him I was ready to hear him declaring at the same 
 time if he proved what he advanced I my self would 
 join in reprobating your conduct — He then told me 
 the particulars of their conversation after dinner In 
 which it [ ] that M^ S. being forced into the Subject, 
 had declared that it was his fixed resolution to have [ ] 
 more to say to any of the family whatever in future, 
 having been insulted by you in the most opprobrious 
 terms, that he had no dispute with you about the 
 Tythes, as they were all amicably settled, but your 
 behaviour to him as Your benefactor was past bearing 
 — and concluded with declaring that you had called 
 him a Rouge before M^ Small and all his Company 
 for giving you a means of living. — All this I am sure 
 will give you but little uneasyness, because It convinced 
 me no more than the aspertions of a Lunatick. I in- 
 terrupted M' T. here to ask him if he believed all this ? 
 / Aid not hut hear me out — to finish our dispute M^^ 
 Smith said these remarkable words. "You know. Sir, 
 I am never for widening breaches, what M^ Smith 
 
The Cumberland Letters 191 
 
 has said is true^ really M^ Cumberland's behaviour was 
 not to be born." The writing this gives me as much 
 pain as the hearing it did, and nothing but the necessity 
 of your knowing it would have forced me to the dis- 
 agreeable task. I was shook with contending passions 
 so affected with your situation, and so sensible of the 
 difficulty of defending you, that I burst into tears 
 — tho this was purely artless, and what the presence 
 of all the world could not have prevented — I believe 
 no studyd speech or argument could have served you 
 so well. M^ T. seemed to be convinced by my serious- 
 ness that you were in some measure wronged, and 
 spoke in a very different stile of the dispute, yet at 
 the same time said that the testimony of M'« Smith 
 weighed much with him and that you must have con- 
 cealed something from him that passed at M'^ Small's 
 — I saw at once there was one thing in my power to do, 
 to serve you and I immediately did it — ^To convince 
 him that you told the same story to me as to jiim and 
 that your sentiments did you credit I offered to read 
 him every Letter from you on the subject and at the 
 same time as a test. I assured him I would write to 
 you in such a manner as must draw from you a con- 
 fession of it, if any thing scandelous had been acted 
 on your part at M^ Small's — promising to inform him 
 of the result. This was a severe test, but I knew it 
 would turn out to your credit, and saw something 
 must be done before his prejudice got ground — 
 accordingly I have read them to him, and can assure 
 you they have answered my expectations — ^he acknow- 
 ledged that there is the greatest appearance of candour 
 and honesty in your actions — places a great deal to 
 the badness of M' S's temper and acknowledges M^^ 
 S. not having been present when he ill treated you 
 at the Inn might make her think you hasty if you were 
 a little warm — in short this last from you, declaring 
 that nothing passed at Small's which could give offence, 
 and that he behaved civilly and sent for you the next 
 morning has I believe entirely convinced him that you 
 
192 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 are much injured, or at least that they had magnified 
 trifles, and tho he cannot be so satisfied as you are 
 yourself of your innocence, yet he will not represent 
 you as an agressor to the World. 
 
 Richard's answer gives the only clear and compre- 
 hensible account of this mysterious quarrel that appears. 
 
 Aug f^. 1778. 
 
 Dear George, 
 
 A week has slipt away since I received a fresh 
 proof of your sincere and truly brotherly regard for 
 me, without having been able to find Leisure to acknow- 
 ledge it. By Leisure I mean time to think coolly on 
 a subject, which interests me more than any other. 
 What you tell me has lately passed between you and 
 M^ Tapp affected me more with a sense of your friend- 
 ship and zealous concern for my Interest, than it pained 
 me to hear I was accused of the vilest Ingratitude, 
 the one I am convinced is sincere and flows naturally 
 from the best of Hearts, the other I am conscious is 
 founded only on prejudice and Heat of temper and 
 may therefore be easily refuted. The only thing in 
 your Letter that could give me any new concern is 
 that part of it which relates to M^^ Smith, who I flatter'd 
 myself had been at least neuter in the affair, if not 
 disposed to compassionate my case, and become a means 
 of reconciliation. For the rest I think it has taken a 
 favorable turn, since M^ Smith only aUedges what 
 passed at M^ Smalls before six or seven Witnesses, who 
 tho I have no reason to think partial to me, cannot I 
 am confident recollect a Disrespectful Word made use of 
 by me, in reply to the most severe and galling Language, 
 before a Family where I was but just acquainted and 
 in a Neighbourhood in which I must wish to be respected. 
 As I never considered what passed the last Time we 
 met at M' Smalls, as having any thing to do with our 
 Cause of Disagreement and as well as every one else 
 always placed it to the account of the Tithes being 
 misrepresented, I cannot recollect the expressions on 
 
Mr. Thos, Smith 
 
 Surgeon at Sf. Thomas'" s Hospital 
 
The Cumberland Letters 193 
 
 either Side, any more than what was said at the Inn, 
 
 only in general Terms. I believe I never gave you 
 
 a circumstantial account o£ the whole fracas from 
 
 beginning to end — tis a shameful subject and those 
 
 you know I am averse to dwell upon — On the Monday 
 
 evening after my return from Town last Winter, John 
 
 Howell called at our House, with a message from M' 
 
 Smith that he was at Cicester and desired to see me and 
 
 my Mother the next morning to Breakfast, at M^ 
 
 Smalls. This was an unexpected pleasure to us, as it 
 
 was near a month sooner than he proposed coming — 
 
 I took my Mother behind me, and we were at M^ S'^ 
 
 as early as possible, but instead of meeting M^ Smith, 
 
 were informed He was set out that morning with a 
 
 party to Paradise where he lives and woud not be back 
 
 till late and added that the Driffield Farmers had been 
 
 there — this surprized us, but gave us little uneasiness 
 
 further than the Disappointment of not seeing them, 
 
 and we proposed that my Mother shoud stay at Cicester 
 
 that night and that I shoud return there early next 
 
 morning in consequence of an appointment to meet 
 
 M' Smith at the Kings Head at nine o clock, — ^You 
 
 may be sure I was there precisely and may judge my 
 
 Disappointment when on sending in my name by a 
 
 Waiter, I perceived M^ S. in conference with Farmer 
 
 NichoUs and Heard Him say tell Him I am engaged 
 
 etc etc call again in an Hours Time. This I must own 
 
 shocked me ; it was as unexpected as undeserved and 
 
 I suflfer'd for that Hour more than can be expressed ; 
 
 When I came again and was admitted — John Small 
 
 was with Him, he received me with the most mortifying 
 
 neglect, and as soon as I [he ?] was out of the room, began 
 
 with telling me, it was the most ungrateful meeting 
 
 I had ever had and proceeded to accuse me of rapacious- 
 
 ness Ingratitude and Hypocracy in Terms which nothing 
 
 but excessive Rage coud justify — that after raising 
 
 me from a Dunghill and giving me what I had no right 
 
 to expect I had behaved more like a Wolf than a Pastor, 
 
 and not contented with the fleece I wanted to strip 
 
 N 
 
194 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 the skin of my flock. That the Living He had giving 
 me needed no augmentation that the income of it was 
 then greater than my Father ever had to maintain 
 a Wife and family, and why coud I not be satisfied 
 with it. That He only repented He had not tied me up, 
 that I was the most artful young man he had ever met 
 with and had ransacked Heaven and Hell for advice 
 and Information against my parishioners, and had been 
 guilty of the blackest Ingratitude in taking a Journey 
 to Bath merely to suck His Brains and know the value 
 of his Estate, that after having received so many Benefits 
 I was robbing him my Benefactor of 20^^ ^ year, (the 
 sum his Tenants Tithes amounted to) and a great 
 deal of the Like uttered in the most outrageous and 
 vehement Manner. In reply to all this, as soon as I had 
 a little recovered myself from the shock it gave me, 
 I desired to know from whom he had received his 
 Information, whether it was not from those who were 
 interested in deceiving Him, that I only hoped he woud 
 give me room to defend myself against these cruel 
 aspersions by confronting me with the men that I did 
 not expect Him to give implicit Credit to any thing 
 I asserted in a matter where I was a party concerned, 
 but only wished to lay open every thing that had passed 
 relative to the Livings to be examined by any impartial 
 persons — that I thought it extremely hard to be con- 
 demn'd unheard by Him who certainly had once a 
 good opinion of me, on the testimony of men, whom 
 in this case, no one woud give ear to — He replied what 
 did I mean by speaking disrespectfully of them they 
 were every one better men than myself, and their 
 Words woud go further with him than mine — ^Un- 
 fortunately in the Heat of self Defense I happen'd 
 to make use of two arguments, which tho unanswerable, 
 and as we were alone I cannot see improper, yet he was 
 pleased to resent — the one was, that He himself a few 
 Days before had cautiond me to beware of Howell 
 as an artful cunning man, and added that upon his 
 taking the Farm L<* Coleraine had sent to M^ Smith 
 
The Cumberland Letters 195 
 
 on purpose to bid him be upon his Guard, and bind 
 him close or he woud take advantage of him. — as he 
 coud not deny this, He only said I was the greatest 
 Sophist he had ever met with etc etc the other was 
 to convince him by a like argument that he was de- 
 ceived as to the real value of the Livings. After 
 proving to him that the 2 Livings did not clear 
 100^8 per ann: I reminded him of what he had told 
 me, that he had been offered 1500^^^ for ^he next 
 presentation, which I was sure they were well worth, 
 and asked if He thought any man woud have offered 
 the sum he mentiond if they were not capable of 
 great augmentation, and added at the same time 
 I was convinced they were worth a great deal more 
 than he had been offered and that my obligations 
 to him, were much greater than he himself imagined. 
 As these were founded on his own free information 
 and I coud perceive carried some weight with them, 
 tho he woud not own it. He said I had sucked his Brains 
 for information that he had never met with so great 
 a Sophist at my age, and a great deal of the like — 
 however having nothing to reply he began to cool 
 and listen to what I had to say relative to the room 
 there was for raising the Tithes — the value of the Land 
 — the Concessions of the Farmers themselves — and 
 lastly I ventured to assert that so far from his being 
 injured by what I had done his Estate would be con- 
 siderably improved, I endeavor'd to make him see, 
 that my improving the Livings of which he had the 
 perpetual advowson, near loo^^ pgj. ^nn: while the 
 Tithes of his Estate were raised only 8^ a year, was 
 an advantage to him as well as myself — that after he 
 had told me his Estate was so far under lett, that he had 
 been offered 50^ a year more for it than the present 
 Tenant gave I considered him as no way injur 'd by the 
 augmentation — and having his free consent to raise 
 the Livings beyond what I had attempted or wished, 
 I never thought of excepting his Tenant but only 
 contrived to assess Harnhill in such a manner as shoud 
 
196 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 be most in his Favour, which I had done considerably 
 to my own Detriment, and for that purpose had deviated 
 from the plan made use of at Driffield — By this Time 
 his heat was a good deal abated and he only said — How 
 came you so knowing in these matters — ^where did you 
 get all this knowledge of Tithes and Land. The Farmers 
 being come I begged his Tenant might be called in. 
 It was now my turn to speak and I began to grow warm 
 at the sight of him. Before M' Smiths face I accused 
 him of having misrepresented Matters and endeavor'd 
 to create a Difference between me and my best friend 
 and insisted upon knowing what he had to alledge 
 against me — After endeavoring in an awkward manner 
 to clear himself of my charge, the only thing he had 
 to object to me was, my having endeavored to draw 
 him in to sign a Paper, for the purpose of setting aside 
 a Modus to the prejudice of M^ Smiths Estate, and 
 resenting his refusal, of which he made a merit to M^ 
 Smith — I asked him if he remember'd what the paper 
 contained (which was a plain agreement for three 
 years, which I think I showd you) and whether it had 
 not a Clause expressing that this agree* shoud hold 
 good the Term of three years and no longer and then 
 cease and be void as if it had never existed — this he 
 denied positively upon which I pulled out the paper 
 and gave it M^ Smith, who own'd he saw nothing 
 to object to — ^Howell still asserting he saw no such 
 thing in the paper he read provoked me so much that 
 I coud not help saying, Howell you have already accused 
 me of a course full as bad, will you prove me guilty of a 
 Forgery — Upon this I called for the Waiter and bid 
 him bring in a Trunk wh. the Coach had just brought 
 from Town. I opend it before them and produced 
 a similar paper drawn for Driffield and signed by his 
 Father and another Farmer, with the same Clause 
 word for word, and further to refute him I called in 
 another Farmer who was present at the meeting and 
 read the Cause to him, which he acknowledged to be same 
 Howell himself had read. I then took him severely 
 
The Cumberland Letters 197 
 
 to task for endeavoring to ruin me with my Friend 
 upon no better grounds and having nothing to reply- 
 but that it had sUpt his memory, he look[ed] extremely 
 little upon the occasion and M' S. began to alter his 
 Tone. NichoUs apologized for Himself, and said he 
 had never insinuated any thing against me behind my 
 back and it was at last agreed we shoud have a meeting 
 next afternoon and settle every thing amicably — All 
 but the Howells went away who were invited to dine 
 with us — Hitherto I had kept up my Spirits very well — 
 but now it was over and I had time to reflect on what 
 had passed — M^ Smiths charge of sentiments and treat- 
 ment of me before men, by whom I once wished to 
 be respected and was till then^ affected me beyond 
 description and in spight of my Pride I found it difficult 
 to restrain my Tears. M^ S. I believe saw and while 
 he was settling with Howells desired me in a friendly 
 manner to carry a message for Him to M'^ Smith. 
 I took some pains to conceal what had passed from 
 the Family at Smalls ; tho mortified and depressed 
 beyond Description M' S. had order'd a noble Dinner. 
 Jack Small was of the party — and M^ S. behaved just 
 as if nothing had happened, I try'd to do the same, 
 but it had made too deep an Impression — for the first 
 time I had recourse to the Bottle to recruit my spirits — 
 In the evening we went to the Ladies at Smalls — I 
 staid supper and returned to Driffield. Here I had 
 time to reflect on what had passed, to prepare my papers 
 etc for next Day, and having among other things been 
 blamed for behaving rudely to Lady Coleraine in not 
 consulting her, tho her Steward, Nickets, had wrote 
 to her by my desire and kept me waiting near a month 
 for her answer ; I resolved to incur no more blame of 
 that kind, and M' Blackwell being the only remaining 
 proprietor whom I had not yet seen, tho I made several 
 attempts and even called on [him] when in Town, I 
 thought it would be best to call upon him next morning 
 to have his consent to my settling with his Tenants, as 
 the only reason they gave for not doing with me before 
 
1 98 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 was the want of having consulted him. As He was then 
 at his seat about seven miles off, I waited on him next 
 morning, showed him my proposals for augmentation 
 with a scetch of what his Estate woud be raised told 
 him the circumstance of M^ Smith's being down, 
 that we were to have a meeting that afternoon, and 
 hoped he would not be an obstacle to our finally settling 
 the Business — he received me in the politest manner, 
 made several excuses for the delays he had occasion'd, 
 and added, as he was his own Surveyor he wished I 
 woud give him time to look over the Estate and form 
 a judgment, what the Tithes were worth, before I 
 closed with his Tenants. As this was but reasonable 
 and he promised to give me an answer as soon as possible, 
 I coud not but agree to it, and being engaged that 
 Day to Dine early at M^ Smalls I called on two of his 
 Tenants on the road and told them their Landlords 
 sentiments. At the same Time, leaving it to their 
 option whether they would accept my present offer 
 or wait for M^ Blackwells advice — and desired them 
 to tell the others. I came in just as they were set down 
 to Dinner and happening to sit near M^ Smith began to 
 tell him what I had done that morning with M^ Black- 
 well and his answer — Upon which before he had heard 
 me out, he flew into the most violent passion and before 
 a Company of 8 or 9 people called me to the most 
 severe Account and abusd me in Terms of authority, 
 mixed with such looks as I shall never forget — Sensibly 
 touched with this cruel treatment I reminded him of 
 having blamed me for not consulting Lady Coleraine. 
 I endeavored to justify myself to the Company — 
 and particularly lamented the severity of my situation, 
 in having lost the good opinion of my best Friend 
 thro the artful Insinuations of interested men and in 
 seeing him give credit to every thing they said, in pre- 
 ference to me he had known from Infancy and had 
 given sufficient proofs of having once thought deserving 
 his confidence. Our words run pretty high, but nothing 
 past to the best of my recollection, that he coud take 
 
The Cumberland Letters tg^ 
 
 hold of to assert what you say he did to M' Tapp. 
 However my Mother, who till then knew nothing 
 of our Difference was so surprized and frighted that 
 she almost fainted and was obliged to go out of the 
 room, this put an end to the conversation and Company 
 coming in nothing more was said till the Hour appointed 
 for meeting the Farmers, when we set off together 
 to the Kings Head. I produced a Paper on which I 
 had put down the sums each mans Tithe amounted to 
 according to the new augmentation — Only by M^ Smiths 
 desire I had reduced his Tenants from 21 to 18. 6s. 
 that is assessed him at 6d in the pound less than the 
 others — M^ Smith took and read the Paper, after having 
 taken Howell aside and encouraged him to make me 
 lower my terms as his Brother has since informed me — 
 which He (sensible of his present advantage and fearful 
 of irritating me) declined saying he was satisfied and 
 was ready to pay it — however having read the Paper, 
 come says M^ S. we'll scratch out the odd shillings — 
 Whatever you please Sir, from that Article, but for 
 the rest till I am convinced it is too much you must 
 excuse my receding, so he run his pen thro the 6s. 
 shilling and applying to the next M^ Hewlings yours 
 amounts to so much, can you afford to pay it : the 
 Question is not what it is worth, but whether you can 
 afford it — this was great encouragement, but after 
 humming and hawing some time he looked at me and 
 seeing I was resolute and that what M^ S. had said 
 proceeded from a total Ignorance of the Business, he 
 openly said Yes Sir, I am willing to pay it and I can 
 very well afford it. This gave me Spirits and M^ Smith 
 began then to lower his Tone, and William Brush 
 being the only Harnhill man besides — He asked him 
 the same Question, is 18^ too much for yours. The 
 foolish fellow thinking he had a fair opportunity of 
 getting a shilling or two bated began to run down his 
 farm and complaind it was a bad apple year etc at 
 which being provoked with a loud voice, I bid him 
 answer one Question. Did he not before I raised him. 
 
^ob ^he Cumberland Letters 
 
 offer me a Guinea a year freely — He did — this decided 
 it, and put M^ Smith in good Humour, who only laught 
 at Him and his apples — As to the Driffield Farmers 
 some of them had already come in and the others given 
 in their Quantity of Land and only objected to signing, 
 which I now assured them was to their advantage, 
 tho for want of better advice I had before insisted on 
 it — our Business was soon done and three or four 
 Bowls of Punch concluded the meeting — All animosities 
 seemed to be forgot and nothing coud be merrier or 
 more sociable — When they were gone M^ S. paid the 
 Bill and I returnd with him to Supper at Smalls and 
 afterwards accompanied them to their Inn, where 
 I took leave of them, as they were to set out next morn- 
 ing, having first begged leave to wait on them to break- 
 fast — M' Smith said he should have so many things to 
 do and pay for in the morning that it woud not be 
 convenient — so leaving my Mother in Town I set off 
 to Driffield — my Mother however called and Break- 
 fasted with them next morning and every thing seemed 
 to be forgot — I was sent for to the Ram Inn, where 
 they supposed I slept and I comforted myself after 
 all with the Hope that M^ Smith's behavior was only 
 meant to humble me a little and make me feel my 
 Dependence — this is I assure you all and more than I 
 wish to remember of our unhappy Disagreement, 
 which has given me the most sensible concern and made 
 my Mother really unhappy ever since it happen'd — 
 Since nothing else will do I am determined to clear 
 myself to the World, by laying open the whole affair, 
 and shall insist on the Howells making me satisfaction 
 for the Injury they have done me. It may not be amiss 
 to hint at a proscecution for Damages on account of 
 Defamation, but the argument most likely to work 
 on them woud be that M^ Ekins proposed — Give me 
 your advice how to act and depend on it while I enjoy 
 your Friendship and good opinion I can bear undeserved 
 blame from the rest of the World. 
 
 My young Friends were sent for to Cicester last night 
 
The Cumberland Letters 201 
 
 by Mr Dawkins, I was invited but it was too late to 
 return that evening so waited on him this morning. 
 The Party consisted of Himself Lady Julia, his eldest 
 son and daughter and a M' Gale. We passed the 
 morns in the Woods, dined at the Ram and afterwards 
 drank Tea at Driffield where they expressed themselves 
 extremely satisfied with our accomodation and said the 
 two Boys were prodigiously improved and behaved with 
 much more affability than I expected. 
 
 Tomorrow they take the Boys and their Son with 
 them to Oxford for a few Days and I am to meet them 
 at Fairford — M^ Long is I suppose returned to town 
 by this or will in a Day or two — Let me know that I 
 may write to him — A few days since they went to Ports- 
 mouth in hopes of meeting their Son George who has 
 been in the engagement. 
 
 Adieu Yours sincerely, 
 
 R. D. Cumberland. 
 
 M' Geo: Cumberland, 
 
 Exchange Insurance, 
 London. 
 
 As to the general truth of the statements contained 
 in this letter no one who has followed the correspond- 
 ence of its writer through a succession of years can have 
 a shadow of doubt. But it is probable that the manners 
 of Richard Cumberland were less conciliatory than he 
 supposed. There are plenty of indications that, without 
 any such intention, he sometimes produced an irritating 
 effect. At a later period, when painful circumstances 
 had developed a new touchiness in the sensitive George, 
 his brother's letters to him seem to have acted like 
 mustard plasters upon his temper, and a friend, trying 
 to make peace, bids George remember that " your brother 
 is a good man, though disagreeable." It may, perhaps, 
 be fairly concluded that, in the momentous interview 
 at Mr. Small's, Richard, although he very certainly 
 
202 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 used no insulting word to Mr. Smith, did manage to 
 convey to that warm-tempered gentleman an impression 
 of contempt and hostility, which impression he by and 
 by came to believe due to some such words. It is to 
 be observed that he was never able to cite any specific 
 expression. 
 
 A letter of a week later shows that Richard had been 
 in town and had visited the Balchen family, who were 
 at Peckham. He had found " the poor dying Girl . . . 
 sitting in the little Parlour which was crouded with 6 or 
 7 People, enough to stiffle a Person in health." Richard 
 expressed his fears lest John should *' go in the same way " 
 if he remained in London, and besought George to urge 
 the necessity of his going into the country. As no 
 mention is made of Mary, it is possible that she was not 
 at Peckham, although she was generally to be found 
 wherever there was most need of attendance and sisterly 
 devotion. Richard came away saddened and 
 
 I cannot say it revived my Spirits to pass by M^ Smith's 
 door at Camberwell and not be able to call tho M' 
 James [in whose carriage he was] pressed it much. I 
 excused myself by saying it woud be to no purpose as 
 he was not at Home, but had not the resolution to say 
 anything to him on so painful a Subject, tho I several 
 Times attempted it. There is something so extremely 
 awkward in telling ones own Story and so difficult either 
 to be or to appear impartial, that I coud wish to leave it 
 to a third Person — and must therefore entreat you to 
 say just so much as is absolutely necessary to prevent 
 bad impressions, but as the affair is such as must either 
 be construed to the Prejudice of my Heart or M^ S.'s 
 Understanding I think the less said on it at present the 
 better. 
 
 The homeward journey was delayed, " poor Snip 
 falling Lame again on the Road in the same Foot," 
 
The Cumberland Letters 203 
 
 whereby Snip's master was " obligd to sleep at Farringdon 
 last night, from whence I got safe to Driffield to Breakfast 
 this Morning, and think the Horse rather better, tho I 
 fear it is an old complaint." 
 
 On August the 27th Richard was writing, full as usual 
 of plans, to ask his brother's co-operation : 
 
 If you can hear of an Honest Man and his Wife who 
 woud be glad of a good House to live in, and 20^^ a year 
 with perquisites perhaps — I would put them into Harn- 
 hill Parsonage to work in and look after the Farm. If 
 they were to be depended on and the Woman capable 
 of it, I woud make it worth her while to manage the 
 Dairy and wash our Linnen there, and so keep only one 
 maid Serv* at Driffield next year. — My Mother, tho as 
 full of Complaints as ever is in better Health than I 
 can remember. I have many things to say on this 
 Subject as well as on another which nearly affects Me 
 but have not a moment's Time. 
 
 The summer of 1778 was, like that of 191 1, inordi- 
 nately hot, and George, unprovided with money for a 
 holiday, wrote, on August the 30th, that he had to 
 depend upon " a glass of Ice " to revive his Spirits. 
 
 What Luxury to bathe by moonlight in the Thames ! 
 How refreshing the air of Hornsea ! How sweet the 
 cows of Islington &c, &c, ye subburbian relaxations 
 How thoroughly does the opulent man despise you — 
 yes — I have felt the insolence of riches, and the proud 
 thoughts which 20 new guineas in the month of July 
 inspire — and now I know not but I may soon be re- 
 duced to meet my pleasure in a Skittle ground — admire 
 the Dog and Duck — and go once more to Vauxhall. 
 
 He had called upon the Balchens. 
 
 Susan is dying indeed — but John is better — I fear for 
 Mary. 
 
204 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 Richard answered on September the 3rd : 
 
 Dear Brother, 
 
 What can be the meaning of your long silence, 
 and why have I not had the pleasure of hearing from 
 you since my return. It is not often you let me be two 
 Letters beforehand, but generally the reverse, pray put 
 an end to my Suspense. If you have not been able to 
 serve me in the way I mentiond in my last, never hesitate 
 to tell me so — nothing of that kind is capable of giving 
 me any real or lasting uneasiness and I shall be able 
 one way or another to shift without it a little longer 
 and rub on in hopes of better Days — Not that I have 
 any just reason to be dissatisfied with the present situa- 
 tion of my affairs, they are infinitely better than I coud 
 have hoped for a few Years back, and if I have any thing 
 to complain of, it is that Preferment of one kind or 
 another has come pouring in upon me rather prematurely 
 and before I was well prepared to take possession, a 
 Circumstance which must make me the Object of Envy 
 to those who have felt the Sting of Disappointment and 
 Delay. My Health which I once thought and with 
 reason, to be tending towards a Decline, has rather 
 mended than grown Worse, and is more than equal to 
 the few fatigues of the Profession I am engaged in, and 
 the Satisfaction I receive in your Friendship more than 
 overballances any little family Uneasinesses. The care 
 of my Churches and Pupils is attended with more pleasure 
 than anxiety, while they give me a Consequence and 
 procure me a greater share of Respect than I could 
 otherwise be entitled to [on] any other Account — these 
 my dear Brother, are solid Advantages and such as de- 
 mand the grateful tribute of chearfulness and Content — 
 which I am fully convinced is the best return we can 
 make to providence for the Blessings we enjoy — If 
 against these we impartially weigh the triffling Vexations, 
 and little Difficulties I may have lately met with, none 
 of which are of a very alarming Nature being void of 
 any real foundation, and therefore will probably soon 
 have an End, it will appear that nothing else but a little 
 
The Cumberland Letters 205 
 
 Patience is requisite to make us easy and happy — 1£ 
 any thing could make me very unhappy it would be, 
 the unfortunate Diflference betwixt M^ S. and myself, 
 but notwithstanding the bad account you lately gave 
 me of the Situation of that affair, I flatter myself it is 
 nearer to an Eclaircisement than before now I know 
 the Cause of Offense. It appears at length that instead 
 of being culpable in point of behaviour to my Parishioners, 
 my Fault consists in not submitting patiently to a false 
 Accusation on that Score, but having the Assurance to 
 endeavour to clear my Character, and in the heat of 
 injured Innocence, expressing myself with more Warmth 
 and Freedom than became Me, where my Obligations 
 were so great. This is precisely the Case by M^ S's own 
 Account, with one Exception that whatever Construc- 
 tion might be put upon my Words, either by himself 
 or standers by, I can solemnly assert they were never 
 meant to throw the least reflection on his Character, 
 but merely to clear my own, and this not after mature 
 Consideration or in his Absense, but before his Face, 
 and when urged to it by himself, in a Manner the most 
 Mortifying and unexpected. Before even M^^ Smith's 
 Testimony (which certainly merits as much Attention 
 as that of any human being whatever) ought to be 
 esteemd decisive in this Case, it shoud be considered 
 whether she was acquainted with all the Circumstances 
 of the Dispute, or regarded me rather as a Criminal 
 than as an injured Person, having heard my Accusation, 
 but being unacquainted with my Defense, or whether 
 if She had been witness to M' S. Behaviour at the Inn 
 and had known how groundless his second attack at 
 Smalls, before People almost Strangers to Me, and the 
 necessity I was under to clear myself — she woud not 
 rather have been led to pity than to condemn me. 
 
 As the Case stood before I thought the only thing 
 was to Convince M^ S. that the Farmers had deceived 
 him, and to clear myself from their Aspersions, but as 
 he now lays the main Stress on my Behaviour to him, I 
 can only say that if I have ever unintentionally offended 
 
2o6 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 him in that Respect, I am heartily sorry and am ready- 
 to make any Concessions in my Power, on that Head. 
 But still with the wish to be first permitted to justify 
 my Conduct with respect to the Livings, upon the justice 
 and propriety of which I am willing this moment to 
 stake them, since if guilty of half what M^ S. accused 
 Me, I shoud deserve to forfeit them. 
 
 I have not Time to say more on the subject, but wish 
 You woud still persevere in your endeavour to bring 
 about a reconciliation as the only thing wanting to the 
 Happiness of. Dear George, 
 
 Your very affec*® Brother, 
 
 R. D. Cumberland. 
 3 ^ef 1778. 
 
 A postscript to this letter mentions the receipt, at the 
 moment of writing, of one from George, which is not 
 in the collection. He wrote again, however, on the 
 7th to describe a deplorable depletion from which his 
 office was suffering : " M^ Kekewich has been ill of a 
 fever three weeks . . . M^ Ekins is laid up with the 
 gout . . . and the Accomptant is gone to Brighton for 
 his health." George was consequently very busy and 
 feared that he would not be able to fulfil his hope of 
 coming to Driffield that summer, " but do not tell my 
 Mother so." 
 
 Shakespear says that all the world is a stage — and I 
 say my employment is a dull play — of two acts — and were 
 it not for the various petit peices that I crowd in between 
 them, would be stupid indeed — the Overture of a book 
 in a Morning ; the interlude of a Sketch at Dinner 
 time and the [ ] of an Evening make it tolerable 
 
 — but still the recitative parts are abominable. 
 
 This is the first, or almost the first, indication of a 
 dissatisfaction with his regular occupation that continued 
 to grow and deepen for some years. He appears to have 
 
The Cumberland Letters 207 
 
 been a good man o£ business and a valuable official ; 
 but his companions were mostly not congenial to him, 
 and it is possible that his temperamental vivacity was 
 viewed with a disapproving eye. His work was inevitably 
 monotonous, and I am inclined to think that he was by 
 nature one of those men who work in fits and starts — as, 
 indeed, is the case with many persons of active, curious 
 minds and varied interests. His head was full, now of 
 a new picture, now of a chemical experiment or an 
 invention that had suggested itself, and to each of these 
 in turn he was ready to devote his days and nights. 
 The Royal Exchange Assurance Company, with its ever- 
 recurring demands, must have broken in most un- 
 welcomely upon these beloved preoccupations, and to 
 escape from its claims became by degrees his dream of 
 happiness. It is the more to his credit that he remained 
 a punctual and industrious, although by no means an 
 uncomplaining, servant until the day when circumstances 
 opened a way of release. Patience is seldom the virtue 
 of the imaginative person, and imagination was always 
 building castles for George Cumberland. 
 
 Richard, still cheerful and hopeful, wrote on September 
 the 1 2th : 
 
 12 ief 1778. 
 Dear Brother, 
 
 Molly Timbrell brought me yours of the 27*^ 
 yesterday in the afternoon, for which I was more obligd 
 to her than for her company — ^Your Zeal for my service 
 has led you to mistake the meaning of the postscript 
 to my last in which I hinted I coud stay a little longer, 
 which was not (as you seem to have understood it) 
 mentiond for fear of putting you to any inconvenience, 
 because I am sensible of your Inclination to assist me, 
 and accept it cheerfully, but was really the case, tho 
 I had not time then to tell you the reason, which is this, 
 
2o8 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 R. L. has lately received 20 pounds to purchase a Horse, 
 as soon as he can meet with a good one, and readily 
 accommodated me with the cash till then, otherwise I 
 shoud, as you may imagine have been distressed indeed 
 — and my Intention was to put off if possible drawing 
 upon you till within two or three weeks o£ Mich^ and then 
 a month after Date, by which Time you might have had 
 money of mine in your Hands. Read my last Letter 
 over again, and you will see it in this Light — however 
 as it is I am obligd to you for what you have done, 
 because well meant, and if any I was to blame for not 
 mentioning the above circumstance — I have the pleasure 
 to tell you we celebrated harvest home last Teusday — 
 The Crops one with another good, and remarkably 
 well got in — Consequently at less expense than usual, 
 being only three Weeks on hand, it stood me in about 
 6£ besides Ale etc which for near 30 acres of corn, is 
 very moderate, and I think myself extremely fortunate 
 in having got over the first year, without meeting any 
 material disappointment tho not without Difficulty, 
 being so much straitned for money. To stock and sow 
 a farm of 60 acres, ^ arable requires according to com- 
 putations 300^8 2X Least, 200 the nearest way. and when 
 you consider I began with only 100 and have not yet 
 received 5^ back except in Housekeeping, and have 
 gOj^s worth of Live Stock, besides Implements and a 
 years produce, you cannot say I have been a Bad manager. 
 By this account you will see, had I farmed on so slender 
 a beginning for a Livelihood I must have been ruined 
 and starved, what has enabled me is, the having no Rent 
 to pay and a maintenance besides. The Thing I now 
 aim at is, to be able to pay M^ C. with 50^^ j^e at Xmas 
 from M' L. and 50 from the Farm, which is as much as 
 I ought to thrash out by that Time — however am in 
 no anxiety on that Head, as there will be enough either 
 way — 
 
 I think I told you I had reced a Letter from Hey 
 informing me I might withdraw my Name and conse- 
 quently my Expenses whenever I pleased and put it on 
 
Miss Susan Balchen 
 
The Cumberland Letters 209 
 
 again when I take a Degree this will be very convenient, 
 but I think it will not be amiss to make a Journey to 
 Cambridge to settle my accounts there and take receipts. 
 Leave of absence and Cash are the only things wanting 
 —the former I propose to get by taking Long with me, 
 if approved of at Home, upon his acquainting them with 
 the reason of my Journey and my Mother to take care 
 of the other two — about a week will be sufficient — It 
 must be before Xmas, if at all, and this is the Reason 
 I am desirous of knowing when M^ Cross comes — Had 
 he persevered in the plan he proposed when I saw him 
 last — to go from hence into Cambridgeshire, we woud 
 have made ourselves of his Party — but that is too pre- 
 carious to be depended on — The Danger is, his coming 
 just when I have contrived to be absent — I depend on 
 you for Information. I am aflfraid indeed poor Susan 
 will be cut off by the first Wintry blast — but why are 
 you alarmed for her Sister, I hope there are no symptoms 
 of a Decline, tho no one need be surpriz'd if there was 
 — Distress of mind, confinement, and Fatigue are enough 
 to ruin the best constitution — ^you say John is better. 
 Should he be too much affected at the Loss of his Sister, 
 and there is a circumstance in her case, that may deeply 
 affect him I intend to give him a hearty and pressing 
 Invitation to join his old companions at Driffield — ^You 
 may remember the Time, when you and I had serious 
 thoughts of connecting ourselves with that Family — 
 to own the truth they were the last time I thought 
 seriously on the Subject — some trifling Disgust or rather 
 a new Turn of thinking put an end to them, yet still 
 there remains some Degree of affection and regard, 
 beyond what we feel for [ ] acquaintance, which 
 without talking of Natural affection, [ ] suppose to 
 arise from our being acquainted from our Infancy and 
 now we talk of a new turn of thinking I cannot help [ ] 
 notice of the astonishing alteration that has taken place 
 in you within these 4 or 5 years — ^you need not be sur- 
 prized, if it had not been for the better, I woud have 
 mentioned it in softer Terms — but you must allow you 
 
2IO The Cumberland Letters 
 
 are far from being the same man now in sentiment 
 manner and expression that you were then, and that 
 your Genius which is the most extensive I have any- 
 where met with, did not discover itself except in the 
 article of Drawing, till very late. This I am convinced 
 was for want of opportunity, and am very sure, had 
 you had the same education that was thrown away 
 on me, you woud much earlier have shewn those abilities 
 which lay so long conceal'd. For my own Part I must 
 own, at going to College I saw nothing of the World, 
 little of Books, and had scarce allow'd myself to Reflect 
 — Since that Time I have with pleasure perceived a slow 
 but gradual Improvement in useful knowledge, and 
 at the same Time from the various Situations in which 
 I have been thrown, have gained a variety of experience. 
 Both of us have met with success in Life beyond our 
 expectations, and notwithstanding little crosses have 
 great Reason to be thankful. I have not room to say 
 more on this Subject, so will break of with assurances 
 of my sincere and lasting Friendship etc. 
 
 Yours, 
 
 Mr Geo: Cumberland, ^- ^- Cumberland. 
 
 Exchange Insurance, 
 London. 
 
 Letters from Mr. Lucas, for whom George had acted 
 as agent, are plentiful in the first volume, but grow 
 rarer in the second. He wrote, however, on the 15th 
 of this month, and was apparently in a happier condition 
 than a few years earlier. 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I have just dispatched a servant to Exon with a 
 small Basket, containing a fine young Hare, and a Brace 
 
 of Rooks which you will do me the Honour to 
 
 accept of. 
 
 I wish I could have said of Birds too ; but the Truth 
 is, the Farmers here have been so very busy with their 
 Nets, that there is [ ] a Partridge to be met with. — 
 
The Cumberland Letters 211 
 
 It shall go hard, however, but I will contrive to send 
 you a few Cocks as soon as they shall venture to visit us. 
 And in the mean time, that I may be certain you have 
 the very identical Puss I was this morning at the Death 
 of, — ^let me beg of you to examine her right Ear, which, 
 that you may not be put off with a Starveling, I have, 
 like a profane Priest as I am, marked with the sign of 
 Baptism. — ^The Parcel will go to-night by Lands Post 
 Coach, which will arrive at one of the Inns in Friday 
 Street on Thursday next about one o'clock. It is directed 
 for you at the Royal Exchange ; for to tell you the truth, 
 I am, at this present writing, as intirely ignorant of the 
 No. of the House you lodge at, — as if I had never been 
 hospitably entertained there. However, Sir, notwith- 
 standing appearances, I am, with great Truth, 
 
 Your much obliged 
 
 and most obedient Serv*, 
 
 W. Lucas. 
 
 N. Tawton, 
 
 ^efU 15. 1778. 
 
 M*" George Cumberland, 
 
 Assurance Office, 
 
 Royal Exchange, 
 London. 
 
 On September the 27th Richard was looking forward 
 to a visit from his brother, who was to accompany Mr. 
 Cross for a part of the journey, that gentleman intending 
 to take the vicarage in his return. 
 
 Should the Weather continue as fine as it is at present 
 you need not fear finding Amusement enough for a 
 Longer Time than you propose staying. A Day in the 
 Woods, another down the Brook, and a look about 
 Driffield with a Game at Cards in the Even^ will pass 
 away Time agreeably enough. 
 
 Richard, after the departure of his visitors, escorted 
 his pupil Richard Long to Oxford and went on to Cam- 
 
212 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 bridge, where he wound up his affairs and transmitted 
 to London various boxes of books, china and other 
 effects which George was in due course to see despatched 
 to DrifHeld. The return journey of our young clergy- 
 man was not without incidents. Riding somewhat 
 out of his way to visit a mansion and gardens at Stow, 
 he found himself in a network of lanes and bad roads, 
 where he enquired his way of every person he met. 
 
 at the turn of a Corner, I overtook a Lady on Horse- 
 back attended by a Servant, of whom I again took 
 Directions, and slackening my Pace endeavord to pass 
 the Lady with as little injury to her Petticoat as possible, 
 but coming nearer was so struck with the gracefuUness 
 of her Person and the Beauty of her Face, that I dreaded 
 the thought of losing sight of them, and almost stopt 
 my Horse. She turned out of the Track to make way 
 for me to pass, which I was thus obligd to do, by the 
 Way making a slight apology, and taking notice of the 
 badness of the Roads — Coming into a more open Country 
 I contrivd to break out of the Path, [and] so that she might 
 come up with me, and had then an Opportunity of sur- 
 veying her more minutely. She was well mounted and 
 wore a scarlet Riding Dress trimd with Black, the Colour 
 of her Hat. Her Hair, a dark Brown, hanging in small 
 ringlets on her Neck, she might be about i6 — there was 
 such a mixture of health and chearfulness in her Counte- 
 nance, accompanied with the utmost Delicacy, that I 
 thought I had never seen anything half so beautiful 
 and determined to know where she lived — in this manner 
 we passed thro several Gates, her servant opening them 
 for both, till we enterd a little obscure Village, a little 
 on one side of which stood a remarkably neat Parsonage 
 — to which she rode up, and before I lost sight of her 
 coud perceive an old Lady on the Steps receiving her with 
 great Expressions of kindness. On Enquiry I found the 
 House belonged to a M^ Farebrother, the Rector, with 
 whom this Lady had lived from an Infant. This was 
 
The Cumberland Letters 213 
 
 all I coud pick up, and enough to make me wish seriously 
 to be better acquainted — such an eccentric Genius as 
 you might perhaps have introduced Me. 
 
 The name o£ the " obscure Village " appears in 
 Richard's orthography as " Leckhamsteed," and he rode 
 thence to Stow, " full of pleasing but provoking 
 thoughts." 
 
 This letter from Richard preceded one which had, 
 perhaps, been expected for some days before it reached 
 Driffield. On October the i8th George wrote as 
 follows : 
 
 Sunday i8. Oct. 1778. 
 Dear Brother, 
 
 The kind and friendly reception I met at Drif- 
 felde deserves a return, my peevishness at my departure 
 an apology — both should have been made perhaps sooner 
 but a thousand things have prevented my telling you 
 before how much I was obliged, and a thousand con- 
 tending passions have made me indifferent about the 
 latter — to be plain with you, I came full of the idea of 
 consulting with you on an affair that came close to me, 
 and found your mind otherwise engaged, at least I 
 suspected so — perhaps I wanted an enthusiast and found 
 a reasoning trusty man and found a judging one — this 
 I confess, I have always trembled at your judgment not 
 to pay you a compliment, and I dread the fate of J[ ] 
 
 by consulting it ; when my imagination has overcome 
 all difficulties, your prudence destroys my hopes — in 
 short I grow weary of the bondage and yet have sense 
 enough to prefer the yoke of reason, miserable as it 
 sometimes makes me by its severity : — it is strange 
 language to you — but the world and every thing in it 
 is more than ever a paradox to me, and I do not unfre- 
 quently wish for any event that might explain it — ^You 
 will with all your gravity say that this is but the wish 
 of a moment, but can you, from your discernment, 
 pretend to know any thing of the constitution of this 
 
214 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 frame of mine ? and why things operate differently 
 on my senses ? what provokes me most of all, is, that 
 with some contempt for human nature, I can never 
 bring myself to act or speak as I think out of the common 
 road, unless you will say this is an instance, and am as 
 servilely dependent on manners and customs as if I 
 did not dispise them What does all this lead to ? — 
 guess ? — ^your abominable judgment has already — I feci 
 an attatchment which I can neither counteract nor 
 account for, considering the arguments my wisdom 
 has bestowed upon it, and because I think in the worlds 
 opinion I may be blamed or in my own deceived, I dare 
 not discover it — this may all arise from my paradoxical 
 feelings — I am, I some times think, the true [ ] 
 
 I told you of my present attatchment to T even 
 
 when I had resolved not to do it — I had a paper in my 
 pocket which I likewise thought to consult you about — 
 but three wise words from your lips made me think 
 you an inhabitant of another country — I could as soon 
 have talked with a peasant about painting, — you have 
 the art to set me at a distance by three words when I 
 am with you, and to draw me to you at a hundred miles 
 off by the same method — to save you the trouble of 
 perusing any more of me, and to make you if you are 
 the solid man I suspect you, hold me in utter contempt 
 — I dared not when at Ciren see a green girl lest it should 
 shake my attatchment to a woman — you made me dread 
 to be deceived by that woman without saying any thing 
 against her. — I have wished and feared to tell her what 
 opinion I have formed of her — at the same time appre- 
 hensive of a refusal and to sum up all my inconsistencies 
 in a word — I am not now sure that I love that woman 
 with an attatchment that is proof against accidents — 
 a new face may make great alteration in me and my 
 susceptibility in this case, will I fear cause me many 
 uneasy moments — do not be surprized if I should now 
 be in love with the lady in the red riding habit — whom 
 you so feelingly describe — may I be abandoned by all 
 the world if I have not a secret pleasure to see your 
 
The Cumberland Letters 215 
 
 phlegm so moved when I read the Letter, I said, " this 
 will do " — and I have some reason to think you owe the 
 freedom of this epistle to your gallant descriptions — 
 I have now some hopes of you, and delight so in this 
 kind of folly that I make account of cargoes of delicious 
 nonsence — if it does but continue, you will be the hap- 
 piest miserable upon earth — that I may see thee look 
 like a shotten herring with love is my earnest wish, 
 so that you lose no more blood than can be " recovered 
 with good eating " to use Benedicts phrase and however 
 inconsistent I may be, believe that I am at least certain 
 of one thing that you are deserving of my friendship, 
 and whether it is worth any thing or not will always 
 have it — 
 
 G. Cumberland. 
 
 P.S. I write this from Richmond, and M' Cross 
 who has just popped into the room, says, when you make 
 your duties to your Mother tell her I wish to be drinking 
 Tea with her — they are all very well and not at all 
 frightened tho their house has had a narrow escape, 
 as you will see by the papers, I was there by 7 o'clock 
 when the fire was out, and saw the party wall and 
 staircase fall, being in the Hall at the time, but 
 fortunately no lives were lost nor any thing damaged 
 and the family all out of town — they will get in I think 
 this winter — I suppose you know M' L'^ brother is 
 dead. 
 
 Rev^ Cumberland, 
 Driffelde, 
 
 n' Cirencester. 
 
 The following undated letter was probably Richard's 
 reply : 
 
 Dear George, 
 
 Your Silence began to give us pain from which 
 we were releived to night by the receipt of your 
 Epistle. Considering it as coming from a man in Love, 
 it is to be sure extremely consistent, and (I have no 
 
2i6 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 Doubt) an exact copy of your mind at the Hour you 
 wrote it. 
 
 However exprest, the Drift is plain. There is a 
 tout-ensemble in T. that has made an Impression on 
 your mind, but not quite serious enough to make you 
 do a thing not to be remedied. Perhaps you think 
 T. has all the qualities of the friend and Companion, 
 but not possest of all the Domestic Virtues — For my 
 own part, and speaking without Disguise, I have neither 
 seen nor heard any thing of that Lady, that could be 
 any way construed into the least Reflection on her 
 Character, tho I am acquainted with some who are 
 far from wishing her well, but still before I can heartily 
 approve your Choice I wish to be better acquainted, 
 with her myself and to examine with an impartial Eye 
 into the real motives that influence her Conduct — She 
 is now situated in a Boarding School at Bath and em- 
 ploy'd as I am told in learning French — as I have thoughts 
 of spending a week or two in that City, while the Boys 
 are in Town, shall be oblig'd to you for her Direction, 
 and if an opportunity offers of having half a Dozen 
 Conversations with her, will then give you my Decisive 
 Opinion on this Subject — 
 
 A Word or two on Business if you please. I had the 
 Farmers here yesterday and received a good Part of my 
 Tithes, but not more than sufficient to satisfy the Bills 
 I expect betwixt this and Xmas so if you see a probability 
 of settling with M^ Long and can pay off the money 
 I have drawn for without it, I will omit sending you 
 Bills for that Purpose — otherwise let me know — If 
 possible I would have you able to tell M^ Long, there was 
 no occasion for the permission he gave you to advance 
 me part of what is owing, and not to be too pressing at 
 this Time, but leave it to him, as he cannot well defer 
 it much Longer. 
 
 In your next be so good as to let us know how the 
 Chancery Suit goes on, and when likely to be finished, 
 and pray send me the Account of what I paid you when 
 last in Town, as the want of it prevents my making up 
 
The Cumberland Letters 217 
 
 my Books. You say nothing about poor Susan, nor 
 any of our London Friends but considering all think 
 tis very excuseable. 
 
 Adieu, 
 
 R. D. Cumberland. 
 Wei'^y Night 12 clock, 
 
 M^ Geo: Cumberland, 
 
 Exchange Insurance, 
 London. 
 
 It is clear from other passages that Miss Townsend 
 was not popular with the Gloucestershire ladies ; they 
 thought her disposed to monopolise attention, and con- 
 sidered her town manners rather too degage. My own 
 impression is that she was a delightful woman. 
 
 On November the i6th a letter with a black seal 
 acknowledges the receipt of one from London, giving 
 the news of Susan Balchen's death. 
 
 Two days later Richard was writing again : 
 
 Now Long is returned we pass our Time very agreably, 
 and indeed I find the larger our Number, the easier to 
 keep up proper Discipline. We dedicate the whole 
 Morning to Business and an Hour or two in the Evening 
 — the Afternoon's are too short and Dark to do anything 
 to the purpose ... I have the pleasure to find my 
 Expenses lessen every Day, my Farm supplying us 
 plentifully with Mutton, Pork, Bacon, Butter and Cheese, 
 besides Malt and good part of our Firing, and enables 
 me always to have a Horse in the Stable, and room for 
 a Friend so that my principal Expence in Housekeeping 
 is Wine and Tea. 
 
 The minds of both brothers were evidently much 
 occupied still by the idea of marriage, and in this letter 
 the elder once more expounded his sentiments : 
 
 Say what you will I am proof against mere external 
 Figure and Accomplishm*^ unless accompanied with a 
 
2i8 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 good Disposition and am in more Danger of being 
 captivated with the Beauties of the Mind than either 
 Face or Fortune. A few Days ago I was in some Company 
 at Ciceter, where the Conversation turning on a Clergy- 
 man in the Neighbourhood, who Ues dangerously 111, 
 a Lady took occasion to mention the tenderness and 
 Affectionate Care and SoUicitude of his only Daughter, 
 about 20, in a manner that made me half in Love with 
 her — and induced me when I came home to ask a Servant 
 of ours who has lived in the Family, how many Children 
 D' Sanford had— she repHed only one Daughter, and 
 added, She was the best temperd Young Lady in the 
 World — ^This is every syllable I have heard — and tho 
 I have never seen her, nor know whether she is tall or 
 short, fair or Brown nor have the least Idea of her Person, 
 she has already rival'd the Lady in the red Habit, and 
 stand's at present uppermost in my Affections. 
 
 George was still of opinion that, for his part, he had 
 
 discovered " in T. " his ideal wife ; but was afraid of 
 
 declaring himself before " matters where ripe," and 
 
 hoped that if Richard went to Bath and saw her, he 
 
 would put in a good word for his absent brother. 
 
 December the 9th being Richard's birthday George sent 
 
 him a letter. 
 
 Roy. Exchs Dec 9. 1778. 
 Dear Brother, 
 
 Tho I wrote so lately as Sunday I must take up 
 my pen again, that was about, me and myself — this you 
 and yourself — 
 
 Yesterday afternoon I had a message from M^ Long 
 that he should be glad to see me in Bishopsgate Street, 
 when I came he took me into the parlour, and there 
 made following proposal in your favor. He said he had 
 conversed with his Son Richard since his return who 
 expressed himself very well satisfied with his treatment 
 as did William, but Richard said he thought M^ Cumber- 
 land had too much care on his hands to manage for them 
 all when at home, and lamented the difficulty you had in 
 
The Cumberland Letters 219 
 
 the country of getting a servant fit for your purpose, 
 as they were all so ignorant there was but little to be 
 made of them — ^he said himself and M^ Dawkins had 
 considered this and as it was their wish to make every 
 thing easy on your part, they should be very ready to 
 add a servant to your family at their own expense and 
 M^s Long had been thinking if it was agreable she might 
 as well send one down from London, as she imagined 
 they were more likely to get a good one here than you 
 can be in the country — 
 
 To all this on your part I returnd them thanks, and 
 told them I would venture to say the offer would meet 
 with your approbation, as from what I could judge you 
 might very well employ her and that I would write you 
 word of their consideration — they said their principal 
 end was to lessen our Mothers trouble, and that when 
 you came to town it might be settled, in the mean time 
 they wished you to be informed of it — M^ L. said it 
 would not be worth wile to send Richard down till 
 Oxford term in January that then Will°^ might accom- 
 pany him part of the way and you take them with you — 
 and then I took my leave — but not before he had told 
 me how much he approved of my instructions to M^ 
 George which by the by is a lucky hit for me, as it will 
 put I think a few Pieces in my pocket about Xmas, 
 when I shall really want them — for what with one piece 
 of expense or other I shall just make the ends meet, 
 unless my tickets are prizes and I get an addition to my 
 salary — dont say I shall never get anything by my drawing 
 — I had today a very handsome present from Miss 
 Ekins of a most elegant worked silk waist coat of her own 
 doing — for which you may be sure I have wrote her a 
 most elegant epistle. 
 
 I had a most friendly Lett' from M' Cross today 
 by M' Balchen who has been there two or three days — 
 in which he [ ] if we are to be very merry at Xmas 
 on the Hill [ ] take that opportunity of calling on 
 M' James who I have not seen since I met him in the 
 street about [ ] weeks ago. 
 
220 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 (Tare of this part or burn the whole.) 
 / tell it you as a secret — there is still some thing 
 mysterious in the expressions of M^ and M^« Tapp and 
 
 M^s Read, when I am mentiond with my cousin M 
 
 I know not if you have observed it, but I [ ] other 
 
 reasons to imagine I have been thought on there, yet 
 I am sure it cannot arise from any behaviour of mine — 
 it may be conjecture, — but I can no otherwise account 
 for the [ ] on her part, — you may explain it, 
 
 adieu — This is your birth night, I'll drink your health in 
 arack punch and tell our Mother I wish I could send 
 her a Glass, 
 
 Y^^ sincerely, 
 
 G. Cumberland. 
 Rev<i M^ Cumberland, 
 
 Driffelde near 
 
 Cirencester, 
 Gloces. 
 
 Richard's reply, containing as it does some interesting 
 details about Miss Townsend, as well as about those 
 domestic discomforts that arose from Mrs. Cumber- 
 land's temperament, is characteristic both of the writer 
 and of his period. 
 
 Driffield ii^^ Dec'' 78. 
 
 Dear George, 
 
 I have to thank you for two very kind and con- 
 fidential Epistles received this Week — for the generous 
 and disinterested Sentiments they contain and the 
 freedom with which you unbind your mind on the 
 most delicate and tender subject tho I fear you will 
 gain but little advantage from any thing I can say 
 or advise, yet you may depend on this at least that you 
 shall not find me undeserving the Confidence you 
 repose in me. I think I am perfectly acquainted with 
 the present state of your mind and am pleased to find 
 it less romantic and more rational than I expected — 
 your passion seems to have a great share of the platonic 
 however, and if I am not mistaken, your delicacy shudders 
 
The Cumberland Letters 221 
 
 at the thought of discovering that to be a mere woman 
 where your Fancy has painted an angel. Was the object 
 of your affections less endowed with the powers of mind 
 than person, I shoud heartily advise you not to make 
 so serious an Experiment. As it is let me beg you not 
 to indulge too far in visionary schemes of Happiness, 
 but persevere in the prudence and Caution you have 
 hitherto shewn in this affair and while things are in 
 their present Situation, consider well what you do before 
 it is too late to retreat. That she is a Woman of Honour 
 Taste and Spirit I agree — formed for Conversation, 
 and capable of doing Credit to the most elevated Station 
 —But you must allow there ate other Qualifications 
 necessary to produce Happiness in common Life such 
 as Economy, prudence, a love of Home and Domestic 
 Amusements — in short the Character which Solomon 
 so feelingly describes, in his last Chapter, of the Virtuous 
 Wife — that she is defective in any of these I do not 
 say — that she has gooi sense enough to be convinced 
 of their necessity I have no doubt — the only Question 
 with me is — whether after the gay Life she has lately 
 led, she will readily submit to the domestic Duties. 
 Her fortune I conceive is just sufficient to enable her 
 to live genteel and independant, to dress well, and 
 as a single Woman to keep the best Company — Her 
 Family Connections are good — in all these respects 
 you are precisely on an equality with her, as well as 
 in many others I coud mention of temper genius. 
 Disposition and Education. I mention the last because 
 as I have been informed she has had but small advantages 
 of that kind, tho she writes better than any woman 
 I have yet met with and speaks with propriety — and 
 I hear is now employed in learning French — so far 
 your Situations are alike — ^The Question is will your 
 united Incomes added to any reasonable Expectancys 
 you may have, enable you to enter the state of Matri- 
 mony without experiencing any of those self Denials 
 which I suspect you are neither disposed to submit to — 
 Supposing you had Encouragement to make proposals. 
 
222 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 in what Manner woud you propose to maintain her — 
 I woud have you consider this coolly and impartially, 
 and not treat these things as beneath your notice for 
 you will find them of great Weight in the scale of Happi- 
 ness after all your Philosophy. Indeed if I was sure 
 such an Enquiry, woud be attended with any great 
 Discouragement, I coud not have the Heart to mention 
 it, and I rather flatter myself with the Contrary — Your 
 present circumstances are far from mean, and you 
 have many Resources to improve them. But you must 
 resolutely determine to try those resources and to use 
 your own words, to divest your self of your Levity, 
 and condescend to launch out in the World, and submit 
 to be treated like a man. I saw a Letter of J. T. to 
 Timbrell the other day in which she says she passes 
 her Time very agreably and enjoys in moderation the 
 amusements of the place — an intimate acquaintance 
 of hers, a Miss Hale was married lately from Cicester 
 to a Rev<^ White and is now at Bath with her. This 
 is all I have lately heard of that Lady — I am not yet 
 certain whether I shall visit Bath before Christmas 
 as the weather still continues very rough and cannot 
 think of seeing London till after that Time — if I am 
 able to come at all it must be the latter end of this 
 month — ^You will easily account [ J interfering in our 
 Family affairs when you consider the Temper of a 
 certain person. In Truth it is high Time somebody 
 did interfere, as I have not been able to keep a servant 
 in [ ] above 3 months, since I came hither, and what 
 adds to my misfortune, all this is done with a View to 
 my interest [ ] and Kindness — I shall think myself 
 much [ ] to M^s L, if gi^^ ^an recommend a clever 
 Woman to manage the cooking and look to the Dairy, 
 with a younger serv* under her — but hope by adding 
 a servant they do not mean to pay her wages, which 
 will never do. Am glad to hear of any little advantage 
 you make by drawing, as I hope it will provoke you to 
 turn that Faculty to some account — ^you might easily 
 I am convinced, make a handsome addition to your 
 
The Cumberland Letters 223 
 
 Salary by taking 2 or 3 pupils in the City, or at least 
 employing one Hour in the morning before office in 
 that way — 
 
 On reading that part of your first Letter where you 
 say M' L. M^"* L. M' R and M^ B. supped with you, 
 it immediately ocurrd to me that something like what 
 you mention was in agitation, and I hinted the same 
 to Mother, who you know is violently prejudiced in 
 favor of such an alliance. Your last has almost confirmed 
 my suspicions — tis natural and therefore probable — 
 and was your Heart unprejudiced I see nothing to be 
 alarmed at — most matches are made up in this manner 
 — and considering the improved situation of my affairs 
 I shoud not be surprized if a certain prudent Friend 
 of ours had marked me out for one of his Neices, unless 
 the embroiderd Waistcoat shoud prove a Gage d'amour. 
 What say you — -shall I come to Town and like a true 
 Friend endeavour to take these attacks upon myself 
 as being better prepared for them. Or will you like 
 another Paris toss the apple to the Fairest and so decide 
 the Contest — ^last Teusday for the first Time since I 
 came hither, I went to the Town Ball, and passed a 
 delicious evens. We danced till 2 in the morns and 
 were exceedingly cheerful and good humourd — ^The 
 success of this new attempt has given no small turn 
 to my way of thinking and you must not be surprized 
 if you hear of me at another. Excuse the roughness 
 of this Epistle and accept it as coming from one who is 
 without Disguise your sincere Friend and wellwisher, 
 
 R. D. Cumberland. 
 
 I must have the Discourse you mention. 
 
 M' Geo: Cumberland, 
 
 Royal Exchange Insurance, 
 London. 
 
 This allusion to the " embroiderd Waistcoat " fixes 
 approximately the date of a bit of marivaudage in 
 George's best handwriting, which has been placed 
 with several other drafts of letters by him — none of 
 
224 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 them bearing any external indication of the period 
 at which they were written — at the end of the letters 
 of 1777. The precise nature of the waistcoat's decora- 
 tion does not, unfortunately, appear. 
 
 I was not a little puzzled when this Morning pre- 
 sented with a paper neatly pinned up, to guess the 
 Contents. If it had been a brown paper bundle tied 
 with coarse pack thread it would have been such a 
 packet as I am more used to receive — I have unpinned 
 it with great caution, examined and admired the per- 
 formance, yet all I can say in return is — you have treated 
 me very ill on this occasion — nay I can prove it — In 
 the first place then, as if you envied me the satisfaction 
 I enjoyd at having given you some little information 
 from the most disinterested views, you have contrived 
 to let me down most ingeniously, by recompensing 
 me, not in the common mode — because that way you 
 saw I should defeat your purpose by a refusal — but 
 by overpaying me with something I could not purchase. 
 If you doubt of the injustice of this conduct I refer 
 you to Rochfoucault who says '' to overpay an obligation 
 is ingratitude in the extream." 
 
 This is not all, lest I should still find an escape from 
 your civility you work it yourself and so make it im- 
 possible for me to make an adequate return, to cover me 
 entirely with confusion, it comes before I have sent 
 my promised work. 
 
 Forced in this manner to become the obliged observe 
 the injury done to me — when it is praised by the Ladys 
 my friends, which I foresee it will be, in spight of my 
 wearing it, I shall become insufferably conceited, my 
 resentment will give way to vanity, and I shall out with 
 it that it is the performance of a Lady, they will naturally 
 enquire the cause — which told — they will say, " What 
 a charming thing it is to have the effrontery to make 
 people believe it is in one's power to instruct them." 
 
 Thus mortified on all occasions, the only revenge 
 I can obtain will be to try and praise the work above 
 
The Cumberland Letters 225 
 
 its merits, and so get you the envy of the females, 
 yet here I have little hopes of success, for from the 
 judgment I possess in these matters I am forced to 
 acknowledge that I have never before seen any thing 
 of the sort so every way pretty — after this confession 
 it does not signify if I do tell you I am your obedient 
 hum^® Servant and notwithstanding the share I suspect 
 M'^ Banks has had in the project to humble me, I beg 
 she will accept my best Compliments. 
 
 George, sending, as usual, the latest London news, 
 informed his family on January the 2 1st, 1779, that 
 " Garrick died yesterday " ; various enumerated ailments 
 
 and 7 Physicians did the business ... I may be called 
 an enthusiast [a word, it must be remembered, of 
 reproach in George Cumberland's earlier days] but 
 I would have the public go in Mourning for him and 
 a Monument erected in Westminster Abby, with an 
 inscription purporting that for once the people of 
 this country honour'd a great Genius before he had 
 been dead 100 Years. To anybody but yourself I 
 could run on thus for a Mile — but I have found out 
 that this kind of writing gives you no pleasure, and am 
 sorry I have said so much on the subject. I[t] pains me 
 too, when you talk of agriculture. 
 
 Among his multifarious occupations George had 
 lately been painting ribbons for ladies of his acquaintance, 
 and had got " into much grace, favor, and employment " ; 
 he began, indeed, to fear having too much of his time thus 
 taken up, unless he desisted, " however, I will paint one 
 more set, and send them to T., and send them soon." 
 
 In one of the innumerable parcels that travelled 
 from London to Driffield George included a measuring- 
 tape for his brother, and an almanack — omitted from 
 a previous package — for their mother, " a thing," as 
 Richard informed him, 
 
226 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 She has worryed Me about a good deal, and, which is 
 a good deal, the only thing she is in want of . ... I lost 
 My Seal tother Day, and wish[h] You woud endeavour 
 to get Me eith[er] a Cypher of R D C at Tassies, or our 
 Crest or Coat of Arms done by him, if M^ Cumberland 
 will lend You a Seal. 
 
 This commission George faithfully fulfilled, as is 
 testified by a letter still existing, upon which the desired 
 seal is impressed with such sharpness that it might 
 have been made but yesterday. The arms are displayed 
 with a perfection which, considering the minuteness 
 of the detail, reflects the greatest credit upon Mr. 
 Tassie's workmanship. Readers of Horace Walpole's 
 letters will remember to have met his name in them. 
 
 On March the 22nd George wrote a long letter 
 in two parts, the former destined to go by post, the 
 latter to travel in a parcel of clothes. These garments 
 were those cut from a piece of dyed velvet, about 
 which George had written some months earlier, and 
 which he now describes as : 
 
 the long expected Waistcoat &c which I got on Friday 
 only. The Tayl^ complains of the difficulty he has 
 had in making them out, and he has lined and backed 
 them with the Silk of the Waistcoat ... so that now 
 I think your drapery matters will go on flourishingly, 
 at least for the Spring. 
 
 There was news, however, of more serious import 
 than the advent of Richard's new clothes. George had 
 been stopped in the street by Mrs. Smith, who had been 
 very friendly in her manner and in her enquiries ; but 
 he could not forgive what had been said by her about 
 his brother, 
 
 and I will not promise you, even if I could bring about 
 a reconciliation (which I have some hopes of this Summer) 
 that I will ever be a favourite or much there. 
 
The Cumberland Letters 227 
 
 The second half of the letter is full of family details, 
 mostly trivial. 
 
 Mr Cumberland's Comedy or Masque of Calypso 
 was pretty well received on Saturday. I could not 
 go to support it, being quite tired that week with 
 hurry — however to-day the scribblers are at him in 
 swarms — they have settled on it like a legion of Ants — 
 every criticism diferent — and all the Same — viz. abusive. 
 
 George was now planning a tour in Wales with some 
 friends, to take place in July or August — indeed, at 
 this time of his life he was always planning such a tour, 
 and being disappointed at the last moment. He favoured 
 his brother with details of each stage and of the distances 
 which he proposed to cover, 
 
 in all 330 m. measured in 13 days, rest with you 2 or 
 three more, and dilligence away to London — our pockets 
 full of views, our heads full of mountains, and stomachs 
 as keen as razors, and our hearts as light as corks. 
 
 The box containing the velvet clothes had been 
 somehow delayed on the road, and had given Mrs. 
 Cumberland a fine opportunity of being anxious, 
 since a trunk belonging to young Dawkins, and " con- 
 taining all his Cloaths and Money," had been " stole 
 out of the Waggon coming down," and she was 
 " affraid " that Richard's possessions had " gone the 
 same way." Sad to say, they did not, on their belated 
 arrival, give entire satisfaction : 
 
 pray tell Seagill he is a Bungler to spoil the Breeches 
 by seaming them across the thighs, especially as there 
 was no necessity for a Waistcoat which I mentioned 
 in one of my letters — take notice and tell me in your 
 next whether Black Velvet Waistcoats are worn by 
 young Parsons in Town, as I can find no precedent for 
 it here. Horses may be hired here [this is in answer 
 
228 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 to an enquiry as to the hiring of steeds for the journey 
 into Wales] for 2/6d the first and is every other Day for 
 Journies, and better than at Gloster. 
 
 A letter from Richard, which must have been written 
 soon after April the 7th, 1779 — although inserted 
 in the collection at a later stage — dwelt in considerable 
 detail upon the imaginary nature of Richard Long's 
 ailments, of which, nevertheless, that poor lad died a 
 few months later. It proceeded : 
 
 You have made the Old Lady happy at last by your 
 long expected Letter and kind Remembrances, which 
 suppose we shall receive tomorrow — in spite of all 
 her Afflictions and imaginary Misfortunes there is a 
 Colt's tooth still remaining for a little Finery, and I 
 am glad to see it. She has great Spirits or great Health 
 being the first up and last in Bed and trots about all 
 Day long, as you may suppose now she has two Maids to 
 look after. 
 
 After writing the above I took up the News Paper, 
 and read the tragical account of poor Miss Ray's death, 
 which affected me the more as I have frequently en- 
 joyed the Pleasure of hearing her Sing at Hinchinbroke, 
 and as well for that as her personal Accomplishments 
 and engaging Manner allways thought her the most 
 accomplished Woman I have seen. Her Behaviour 
 on those Occasions, on which for Six Nights together, 
 she alone supported the female Parts in different Ora- 
 torios and did the Honours of Ld. S's House to every 
 one's Satisfaction, was surprising and (if any thing) 
 might in some measure Apologize for his Attachment. 
 In short I look upon her as a second Cleopatra — a Woman 
 of thousands, and capable of producing those Effects 
 on the Heart which the Poets talk so much of and which 
 we are apt to think Chimerical. 
 
 Miss Ray, who had been for many years Lord Sand- 
 wich's mistress, and was the mother of several children, 
 
The Cumberland Letters 229 
 
 was shot as she came out of Covent Garden Theatre 
 by Mr. Hackman, a clergyman, who had long been in 
 love with her, and whom she had refused to marry. 
 
 Dear George, 
 
 Since my last I have been busied in calling to- 
 gether my Neighbours, fleecing some and feasting all, 
 according to the ancient Custom of the Place at Easter. 
 Upon which occasion my Ears were a good deal Din'd 
 with the low price of corn, the scarcity of money and 
 the impossibility if things go on as they do now of 
 Farmers being able to Hve — but not a single syllable of 
 the uncommon continuance of favorable Seasons, the 
 prodigious Crops last year of all sorts of Grain, and 
 the blessed prospect of another plentiful Harvest now 
 before our Eyes — which are the general topics of con- 
 versation amongst Farmers, unthankful in prosperous 
 Times, grumbling when things are in their natural 
 state — However, bad as Times are they have most 
 of them brought in their Tithes and I hope in a few 
 Days to see the remainder. 
 
 As soon as I can get a Bill on London I will remit 
 20j^ to you for M' Cross, in the meantime pray give 
 me a Letter with the Balance of my Account — Shoud 
 you not have done it already go immediately to the 
 Tenths office and pay for Driffield 16^ 8|- as I am in 
 danger of being mulcted — 
 
 If M^ Tapp is about to settle our Account, there will 
 be some money for my Mother, which you will let me 
 know of, and I can regulate my Remittance accordingly. 
 We are at last beginning to repair the Outhouses and 
 I hope this Summer, you will find things in better 
 order within as well as without — my Garden is kept 
 in better Repair than it used to be, by the Ingenuity 
 of a very valuable Fellow who works for me and can 
 turn his hand to any thing and we are extremely well 
 settled in Maid Servants. Mother enjoys great Health 
 and is as happy as she is capable of being, but so much 
 taken up with her little Family cares that it is impossible 
 
230 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 to persuade [ ] to stir out on Foot or on Horseback this 
 fine Weather — Farming you detest so will say nothing 
 of that — Loveden is returned from burying his Father 
 at the Family Seat in Wales — It is reported Price died 
 worth 1 0000 j^ a year and loooob^ in the Funds — 
 I have just heard that Miss Townsend is at Buscot 
 on a short Visit and returns this week to Bath, tis 
 very probable I shall see her — Dont let this news drive 
 the rest of the Letter out of your Head especially the 
 Tenths. Write to me by return of Post and set me down 
 as one of your sincerest Friends and wellwishers, 
 
 R. D. Cumberland. 
 Easter Teusday 1779. 
 
 This j^20 was in partial repayment of a loan made 
 by Mr. Cross to Richard for the purpose of such furnish- 
 ing and necessary outlay as were required for the re- 
 ception of his pupils. The mention of Mr. Tapp's 
 being probably " about to settle our Account " seems 
 to indicate that Mrs. Cumberland had at last been able 
 to dispose of her bonds, the sale of which had been 
 " hung up " by the absence — and presumable death — 
 of one of her trustees. Mr. Tapp, helpful in deeds, 
 though generally ungracious in words, had advanced 
 money in small sums for the support of Richard at 
 college, and perhaps for other unavoidable expenses. 
 
 George must, this spring, have made his mother a 
 present of a dress, for, on April the 15 th, Richard wrote : 
 
 I cannot let the Box go without a Note to tell You 
 we are well, that my Mother is much pleased with her 
 Gown which is grave and genteel and will serve her to 
 ride to Ciceter upon a PiUion this Summer. 
 
 One of the youtiger pupils had 
 
 given himself a great many airs since he came down 
 last, and expects to be treated like a Man of independant 
 
The Cumberland Letters n\ 
 
 Fortune while he behaves with the Coarseness of an 
 unhck'd schoolboy. 
 
 A letter, marked in tiny characters at the top " not 
 all this for our mother," shows the inflammable George 
 in a condition of great admiration for a young lady whom 
 he had recently met for the first time : 
 
 such perfection of form, such sweetness, such regularity 
 of countenance, such innocence, such ignorance of 
 her own good qualities, good nature, neatness and 
 delicacy of Frame — never have these eyes beheld before — 
 I have known her three days^ spent one with her, had 
 her with me at three public places, given her a breakfast 
 at my rooms, painted her picture, gained the preferance 
 of her attention from the man who introduced me, led 
 her under my arm — kissed her — hand — been envied, 
 cursed, suspected, and what not, all in this short space . . . 
 she is 17, well behaved, has no fortune perhaps, and is 
 the daughter of a Bookseller of Bury St. Edmonds. — her 
 name is Sally Green, and . . . she has not been twelve 
 months from the village of Walton in the Willows where 
 she was educated. 
 
 From this lady George had secured a promise of letters 
 and many drafts of his to her appear in the collection, 
 as well as some charming replies from her. I think 
 neither was in love with the other, but a genuine regard 
 must have existed on both sides. 
 
 The following letters belong to this spring, and tell 
 their own story : 
 
 Driffield 2^"^ May, 1779- 
 Dear George, 
 
 This is the second Letter your unusual Silence 
 has extorted and if you woud not wish me to grow 
 serious on the Subject you will answer this by return 
 of Post. I have pleased myself to Day with the Idea 
 that you intend to come upon us unexpectedly these 
 
^32 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 Witsun Holidays, and beg we shall have the Pleasure 
 of seeing you this evening or tomorrow — as I cannot 
 think you would deny me the Pleasure of hearing from 
 you, unless you intended a greater — M^ Long is re- 
 turn'd, in pretty good Spirits, and flatter myself we 
 shall pass an agreable Summer — the Weather is delightful 
 and I want nothing to make me happy but your Company 
 or at least Correspondence — If you beleive this you 
 will write instantly to your sincerely affectionate Brother, 
 
 R. D. Cumberland. 
 My last was sent on Monday. 
 
 I know my dear friend, it will give you pleasure to 
 know what I am doing, because I am happyly employ'd — 
 I will therefore get over my indolence, and give you 
 a tale of a tour of four days — 
 
 Thus far I found I had written at an Inn at Maid- 
 stone, when -supper being set on table and my Company 
 refusing to set down without me, I was obliged to 
 leave off, and from that moment to this, with all the 
 inclination in the World to write something to make 
 you amends for my long silence, I have not been able 
 to find a moment for during my excursion besides 
 walking 15 miles a day, I took and finished 20 views 
 from nature, which could not be neglected — and at 
 my return yesterday, had Three whole Days work 
 to fetch up, before I could think of any thing else — 
 In short I have been a tour of Kent in 4 days and seen 
 more, done more, laughed more, eat more, and every 
 thing but spent more — than I ever remember to have 
 done in the same time — 
 
 To give the Journal as I intended, is now impossible 
 because I have no time, and you must be answered 
 
 immediately. But why will you still be that old 
 
 (for I must rectify your too feeling disposition, or to 
 give its less good natured title, your want of Phylosophy, 
 (tho at the same time I sensibly feel my obligation 
 to you for it) — to be uneasy at not hearing from me, 
 when a thousand circumstances might cause it besides 
 
The Cumberland betters 233 
 
 illness — indeed I look upon it as the strongest proof 
 of a person being either remarkably well, or happy, 
 or employed, and subscribe heartily to the old Maxim 
 — not that I can commend the person who takes ad- 
 vantage of this sentiment to save himself trouble. 
 Tho in fact I should be sorry even to recive a line that 
 bore the mark of labour, and would rather submit to 
 your silence for 6 mo« than give you a moments un- 
 easiness in writing to me. 
 
 Situated as I am I could often afford you a letter 
 replete with matter to gratify your curiosity (tho' 
 I think I give you about two sheets for one) but I have 
 no contrivance to transplant my thoughts on paper 
 but the common one of tracing them with pen and Ink, 
 and that operation, to a person always dabbling in it, 
 on books and papers becomes disgusting — then I get 
 so fully engaged, and see so much company, that all 
 the moments which I call leisure, are taken up by it — 
 
 But I have made a tour — not into Glocestershire — 
 and that I foresee must be cleared up — if it could not, 
 it would be wisest to say nothing about it, but the fact 
 is, my intentions were to have breakfasted with you 
 on Saturday morning last, by getting into the Here- 
 fordshire Dilligence on Friday afternoon — but this 
 and an Oxford, and Glocester one, were all filled a 
 week before — and to have spent two days out of six 
 in going and coming by the vile stage, would have been 
 too great a trial of my patience — and given you no 
 satisfaction neither. 
 
 I may with reason be unhappy at the silence of a 
 correspondent of mine — for I have written 4 times 
 without receiving any return, and Letters, some of 
 wh. deserved one — indeed it begins to break in upon 
 my mirth, and were it not for that phylosophy I have 
 mentiond, which always induces me to conjecture well, 
 till I find the reverse, I should I believe feel it more 
 sensibly than you would wish me [ ] — and I am a 
 little displeased at the silence [ ] quarter of the Globe 
 — ^Willis has not wrote a line to thank me for 4 Letters 
 
234 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 and 5 Parcels of Pamphlets — these may be lost, — but the 
 others cannot be so — 
 
 The end of all this is you must be patient, and if I 
 have not forgot it — I will tell you a great deal of news 
 by and by — in the mean time give me some of the 
 lively thoughts of your heart to make me amends for 
 the silence of others, and if you can tell me that T. is 
 reserved for me. 
 
 Adieu Yours most affectionately, 
 
 G. Cumberland. 
 
 Thursday, zj May 1779. 
 
 P.S. That last paragh but this sunk my heart. Pray 
 give me a cordial — a long friendly letter when you can. 
 
 Rev<^ Cumberland, 
 
 Driffelde, near 
 Gloces. Cirencester. 
 
 A new character now comes upon the scene in the 
 person of Mrs. Mole, a wealthy lady with whom " Mrs " 
 Sarah Cumberland, the aunt of Richard and George, 
 was living. Whether she was a distant relative or not 
 I am not certain ; but it is evident that George soon 
 became indispensable to the two elderly women. They 
 depended upon him to write letters, to do commissions, 
 to talk over their business affairs ; and no doubt they 
 found his young and cheerful society pleasant. A faint 
 reflection of his relation to them appears in a draft 
 (dated May the 30th, 1779)' of a letter to Mrs. Gooch, 
 which he had the chance of sending by " a M^ Copley, 
 well known to M^ Gooch, who is so obliging as to under- 
 take the forwarding of this to you." 
 
 The person indicated is probably John Singleton 
 Copley, the painter, who was at this time in London 
 and may have talked of returning to Boston, but who, 
 as he never did so, cannot have carried any letter. 
 
 Your worthy aunt Cumberland is living and but for 
 
The Cumberland Letters 235 
 
 the circumstance of a disorder in her leg which she bears 
 with the greatest patience, in a situation such as she by- 
 no means complains o£ — thro the friendship of a Lady, 
 whose kind conduct to her deserves more praises than 
 she would chuse I believe to hear, indeed it is so generous 
 as in a great measure to make her amends for that hard 
 fortune which you well know she has experienced. 
 
 In a later part of the letter George, who cannot 
 possibly, having been born but six-and-twenty years 
 previously, have remembered a relative unseen for 
 thirty, declared that 
 
 while the memory of my esteemed father remains, 
 I shall never forget that warmth with which he recom- 
 mended you to my regard, my brother shares the same 
 sentiment with me, and my mother talks often of one 
 who used to be her favorite. 
 
 Between George's letter of May the 27th and his 
 brother's answer to it, written on June the 2nd, a fuller 
 account had been received at Driffield of the Maidstone 
 jaunt, but does not appear in the collection. Richard 
 was anxious to hear more about Miss Green, and expressed 
 an opinion that George's attachment to " Miss T." 
 had more in it '' of Platonism than of Passion." 
 
 George, however, rejected with indignation the sug- 
 gestion that there was 
 
 any of that vile platonism in my regard for T and 
 
 if I was not convinced she is the woman whom I could 
 take without fortune, I would not suffer myself to think 
 about her — ^yet I do not believe the loss of her (if I may 
 talk in that stile) would destroy my future happiness, 
 and while I am in a state of uncertainty I take every 
 opportunity to amuse the thought of her from my 
 mind. 
 
 After a considerable dissertation upon the folly of 
 encouraging unhappiness and upon the character of 
 
236 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 " this girl," presumably Miss Green, George returned 
 to family news. 
 
 I have wrote to Sally Weaver (Mrs. Gooch) — the Old 
 Lady [whether Mrs. Mole or his aunt is intended I 
 cannot tell] is pleased with it ; she has presented me 
 with a work which cost her 5 Gui^ — / have sent her 
 Spanish Snuff. I have wrote another Tale, another 
 sermon, Squibs, poetry &c (and have some thought of 
 commencing Editor of a news paper) — but of this not 
 a word, to anybody. 
 
 Richard had grave doubts as to his brother's suita- 
 bility for editorship. 
 
 The generality of papers I have seen shew very little 
 Ingenuity in the Editors and I conceive the Labour 
 of it too great for a Man of Genius . . . Whatever you 
 do be civil at least to the old Lady and kind to our Aunt 
 who is certainly (even by Mother's confession) a good 
 woman at the Bottom. 
 
 We may hope that they were both good women, but 
 it is clear that the sisters-in-law could not endure each 
 other at close quarters ; some old grievance rankled, 
 and there is plenty of evidence that both were trouble- 
 some ladies to deal with. 
 
 George wrote, on June the 14th, from Grove House, 
 Camberwell (where, I believe, Mr. Long lived), and de- 
 clared that he was spending his time there partly that 
 he might have leisure to write to his brother, and 
 
 to effect my purpose I have retreated from the gay 
 assembly of females in the great tea room at this house 
 and am retired into a Httle hole that overlooks the Stables, 
 where I am sure no living Soul will Molest me. 
 
 His morning had been largely wasted, partly by his 
 having invited some ladies who lodged in the same house 
 to breakfast, partly by the uncertainty of his own mind. 
 
The Cumberland Letters 237 
 
 I wanted to see M'^ Cumberland, to dine with M" 
 Petty, to do the Same at Newington, to drink tea at 
 Westminster, — to ride to Morley, to call at Camberwell 
 — to write to you, to compose a new tale that I have 
 in my head to complete a Journal o£ my Kentish tour, 
 to finish two Miniatures and a Landscape — and to enquire 
 after the health of my acquaintance Townley (a son of 
 your old master) who is dangerously ill &c, &c. 
 
 Finally, he had gone to Newington, and the narrative 
 of his experiences is as remote from any that could have 
 befallen a Londoner to-day, as though they dated from 
 the Middle Ages, instead of being less than a century 
 and a half old. He had begun by seeing one of those 
 brutal spectacles which still disgraced English life ; 
 " about 200 people at a church door on the other side 
 of the bridge " were 
 
 attending to see a woman come out of church from 
 standing in a white sheet — she came and no pickpocket 
 could be worse treated, an intelligent green grocer told 
 me her name and the woman she had defamed, of whom 
 he said she was jealous, but what made me smile at this 
 indecent farce was, that the people round, liberally 
 bestowed on her the same epithet which had brought 
 her into that disgrace — and which yet, they all seemed 
 to think just ! ! 
 
 The adventures of the day were not yet at an end ; 
 on leaving Newington, where he had given Mary 
 Balchen Richard's invitation that she should spend a 
 month at Driffield, he 
 
 turned up at Kennington a pathway which had often 
 tempted me, it brought me to the neatest little farm 
 house imaginable, but what an owner ! he was leaning 
 over his hatch and by him lay a large dog, the most 
 respectable animal ; for in return for my civilly asking 
 him if I might pass through his yard to Camberwell, 
 
238 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 he bid me go back the way I came, follow my nose &c, 
 and threatned me if I offered to go into his [ ] 
 
 would set his dog at me, to w^ his man added, I had better 
 [ ] learned to swim, for there was a brave ditch 
 
 to cross — I answered that his age and ignorance was his 
 best protec[ ] if he dared to send his dog that 
 
 way, I should instantly dispatch him, which I could 
 have done having my sword stick about me, — however 
 he did not think proper to put his threats in execution, 
 
 and George, continuing his walk, and " passing through 
 all the trespass paths I could find to avoid company," 
 arrived 
 
 at the top of that hill near Denmark Hall which gives so 
 fine a view of the country and London. — It was a feast ; 
 so I sat down on the grass, took out Spencer, read his 
 Hymn to beauty, made a virtuous resolution and walked 
 on — seeing some peapickers at work, I called across the 
 field where they were, intending to ask them some 
 questions and give them something to drink — but was 
 rudely called after by a fellow to return — I took no notice 
 but coolly walked on, just as I came up to the opposite 
 Hedge, a most ill looking Ruffian with a bludgeon in his 
 hand, jumpt out to stop me, and with oaths and menances, 
 bid me not attempt to pass over. I immediately ad- 
 vanced to him, and he jumpt back, two others calling 
 to him not to let me cross it, which I did immediately 
 close to him, at the same time with an air of authority, 
 said I was going that way and, if he dared impede me, 
 I would severely punish him, they still threatned me with 
 the most horrid imprecations that I should go before the 
 Justice for trespassing, and the first offered to take hold 
 of me ; upon which I told them as this was the case and 
 as I found they wanted to rob me, if the persons who 
 where coming up would assist me, they should be taken 
 before a Justice — this manner of turning the tables has 
 a vast effect on such fellows for on the party happening 
 to be strong enough for the purpose, they drew in their 
 horns and hoped I would give them something to drink ? 
 
The Cumberland Letters 239 
 
 nothing, tho I had before intended it, and as they were 
 fit for Soldiers, I should recommend them to the Com- 
 missioners — and so I walked off. 
 
 A man might walk many miles to-day without finding 
 a farm, neat or otherwise, or a party of pea-pickers, 
 between Newington and Camberwell — while as to the 
 view from Denmark Hill, or the open grass upon which 
 a pedestrian might seat himself to contemplate it, 
 only a sprinkling of octogenarians and nonagenarians 
 can still, in their dreams, recall such wonders. 
 
 On July the loth Richard bestowed upon his brother 
 a long, gossipping letter, better sealed, it is to be hoped, 
 than some of his sending, since it contained pretty severe 
 strictures upon some of his neighbours. With his own 
 situation he expressed satisfaction : 
 
 I begin to have a pretty Circle of Acquaintance in 
 this Neighbourhood and am more and more attatch'd 
 to My Situation the longer I stay in it. 
 
 He can hardly have anticipated, however, when he 
 wrote thus that he was destined to continue in it for 
 six-and-forty years longer — the remainder of his life. 
 
 Four days later he was writing again : 
 
 I admire your Regularity and abstemiousness as I have 
 long felt the good Effect of living cool especially at this 
 Season, and in spite of the old Ladies Admonition seldom 
 drink any thing but small Ale, never eat Meat Suppers 
 and devour a much larger Quantity of Vegetables than 
 comes to My Share. . . . Now things begin to wear 
 a more promising Aspect I often congratulate Myself 
 on having escaped a most dangerous Temptation, 
 that of connecting Myself with a Partner for Life, 
 for the sake perhaps of a few Hundreds to begin it with, 
 a very common Case with Young Men in My Situation. 
 
 Towards the end of July George came to Driffield 
 
240 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 for a week, accompanied by his friend, Richard Collins, 
 a miniature painter. In the hope of finding Miss Town- 
 send there, he went to call at Buscott, but she had 
 gone into Warwickshire. A draft appears of a letter 
 which he must have sent to her about this time, possibly 
 from Driffield, in which he lamented and wondered that 
 he had not heard from her. 
 
 Yet might I not have been gratified with a line after 
 five Lett[ ] What am I to think of your Silence r 
 nothing will I hope but that you have some how not 
 received them (tho they were all posted to M^^ Main- 
 waring Bath) for I will never believe your good nature 
 would refuse me so great a pleasure at so small expence 
 of time, till I hear it from your own lips. 
 
 The next letter from George, after his return to town, 
 repeats his suspicions of the opening, or at least the 
 inspection, of communications, 
 
 not that I know of anything we say to one another which 
 might not as well be published at Charing Cross, yet not 
 perhaps at the moment they are said. ... I have met 
 with a book lately translated from the german of M 
 Gothe called " The Sorrows of Werter " which delighted 
 me above all things — it is a masterpeice ; a tragic tale 
 handled with all the force imaginable, in some places 
 touched rather too strong but original, and containing 
 a moral Lesson on the moderation of the Passions very 
 interesting. 
 
 In Werther he perceived a marked resemblance to his 
 own character, 
 
 and have seen my mind represented as in [a mirror] — 
 it is not vanity, for I do not pretend to his good qualities 
 but I have too many of his foibles. 
 
 While at Driffield George had begun a portrait of his 
 brother, who presently enquired whether it had been 
 
1 
 
 QgQ. CUMBEf?X-A/V/ O. Se77\ 
 
The Cumberland Letters 241 
 
 finished, and also whether Collins had completed one 
 that he had made of George. At a later time George 
 announces that he is sending Richard's portrait to him, 
 but none which can be identified, even conjecturally, 
 as this is now in the possession of his descendants. That 
 of George, here reproduced, certainly represents him 
 as a young man, and may, not improbably, have been 
 etched by himself (at a later time) from Collins's work. 
 The silhouettes reproduced in this volume belong to 
 the year 1773 and were made by George. 
 
 On Friday, September the 17th, George gave further 
 details of his journalistic industries : 
 
 If you want news I have none to give you, it is true 
 I do compose paragraphs every week for the General 
 Evens Postscript and have for some time, but they are 
 seldom news — little essays on the times, conjectures, 
 encouragements &c — In short I try to lead the public 
 sentiments right. [He was a strong Tory.] I have an assis- 
 tant who is the ostensible Man, and am not supposed to 
 have any thing to do with it — so now any article of 
 country intelligence will be acceptable and you may 
 have the pleasure to hear the remarks on your own 
 observations — I assure you the paper looks the better 
 for them — but you will be as silent as the grave. 
 
 Later on in this letter appears a most characteristic 
 paragraph : 
 
 One day last week I learn'd the Greek Alphabet and 
 began to spell but somebody undertook to teach me to 
 play at Billiards, and now Angles and Cues are uppermost 
 — I have played 3 times and beat my teacher already. 
 
 In the beginning of October he was making up his 
 mind to a change of abode. Many indications of dis- 
 satisfaction appear in the letters for some time previously, 
 and now he becomes explicit : 
 
 Q 
 
242 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 I have got out of humour with my lodgins [George 
 systematically denies a " g " to this word] and not 
 without reason, they are really grown intolerable. 
 
 All the servants were sluts and " theives," the mistress 
 idle and cheating, the master a noisy brute, and the house 
 " a scene of dirt and Litter and crying of children." 
 To crown these offences a new set of lodgers had been 
 taken in, bringing the number of inmates to eleven, 
 " and the Man seems to be as noisy and Vulgar as my 
 Landlord." 
 
 No. 37 Friday Street, which had thus become so 
 deplorable a place of residence for an impatient and 
 fastidious young man, was probably not the house that 
 now bears the same number — very few London streets 
 have escaped renumbering in the course of a century — 
 but most likely resembled the few flat-fronted Georgian 
 houses which have preserved the main features of their 
 original appearance. Some of these seem to have pos- 
 sessed small shop windows, and " my Landlord " may 
 perhaps have been a tradesman. 
 
 The month of October relieved Richard, his own letter 
 will best tell how, from an anxiety of a twelvemonth's 
 standing. 
 
 -p. /-. Driffield d^ Ocf. 
 
 Dear Geo, ^ 
 
 Tis ten and I am tired with my Journey, but 
 cannot go to bed without acquainting you with my 
 success — my last mentioned M^ Smiths being here at 
 Cicester, and the uneasiness it gave me, tired with forming 
 Schemes of promoting an Interview with Him I gave it 
 up and set off yesterday to meet the Longs at Oxford, 
 caird on Loveden by the Way, who was out hunting 
 but returnd soon after and proposed taking a ride with 
 me to shew me where he is going to build, this detain'd 
 me a little longer and just as we were talking on the sub- 
 ject of M' S. being in the country, who shoud come up 
 
The Cumberland Letters 243 
 
 but himself in a chaise with his wife and Miss Read — 
 you will conceive my sensations — I retired into the next 
 Room till he had been informed of the occasion of my 
 being there and Loveden had prevailed on him to see me 
 — ^when I came in he received me very civilly enquired 
 after my Mother etc — we sat down and talked on in- 
 different subjects, till I found an opportunity of taking 
 him into the Garden and there set the matter in such 
 a light that he had nothing to object, but heard me out 
 with patience and good humour said I might call upon 
 him when next in Town and that they woud come to 
 Driffield the next time he came into the country, was 
 glad to hear the success I had met with in pupils and did 
 not wish to remember what had passed — M^^ Smith 
 seemed pleased with our reconciliation and after pro- 
 mising to call the next Day on my way back I took 
 leave and proceeded on my Journey — Rejoicing — Dined 
 with Rawbone and rode with him to Oxford, arrived 
 just as the Longs came in and supped together at the 
 Star — ^This morning got to Buscot by 12 o clock, met 
 Loveden and the Party arrivs and accompanied them 
 home to Dinner — every thing was easy and cheerful 
 precisely as if we had never had the least Difference, 
 passed a most agreable afternoon, parted in the most 
 friendly manner — ^These are the Heads of our provi- 
 dential meeting and unlooked for reconciliation — It 
 has made me compleatly happy and will you to hear it. 
 When I have Time shall be more particular on this 
 subject. At present adieu and accept this as the best 
 account your sleepy Brother can make out — In a day or 
 two I will answer your Letter — Drew on you last Thurs- 
 day for Six Pounds at six Days Sight to my order All 
 well and Good Night. 
 
 Yours sincerely, 
 
 R. D. Cumberland. 
 
 Miss Townsend is well enough to get a Horseback. 
 
 M^ Geo: Cumberland, 
 
 Royal Exchange Insurance Office, 
 London. 
 
244 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 Richard's serenity, however, was very soon disturbed 
 by a report of the kind to which unmarried country 
 clergymen are peculiarly liable. The local gossips were 
 telling one another — and Mr. Smith had actually been in- 
 formed by his tenant, and had repeated the statement to 
 Richard — that he was engaged to Miss " Sukey " Tim- 
 brell. Of the Timbrell family there were at this time 
 two main branches, one established permanently in 
 Cirencester, and one at Ewen, a few miles off ; and each 
 group — a circumstance most bewildering for the bio- 
 grapher — possessed an only son, called Robert, a daughter 
 called Susan, or Susanna, and two more daughters. 
 This parallelism among the cousins renders it often 
 difficult to know of which set Richard is writing. The 
 Cirencester household was afflicted with a father whose 
 old age was by no means worshipful, and who appears 
 to have separated himself — ^greatly, I should suppose, 
 to their relief — from his wife and daughters. It was 
 Miss *' Sukey," of Cirencester, whom the tittle-tattle 
 of the country-side had selected as a spouse for the vicar 
 of Driffield. She must have been older, I think, than 
 Richard, and was less attractive in his eyes than her 
 cousin and namesake at Ewen, which cousin 
 
 used to joke about my going there — a sweethearting as 
 she used to call it, and I joined in the laugh, till the joke 
 grew stale and I began to perceive a little jealousy at 
 the bottom. 
 
 All this gossip was very annoying to him : " I see at 
 last I shall be compelled to marry in my own Defense." 
 
 On November the 2nd George reported that he had, 
 with great reluctance, called upon Mr. and Mrs. Smith 
 and that the visit had turned out well ; 
 
 in half an hour I was privy councellor, and set out to 
 find a proper place in the Garden for bee Hives — I need 
 
The Cumberland Letters 245 
 
 only add that I stayed till 8 o Clock and came away with 
 the following Commissions — To leave 2 oz of Mustard 
 seed at M^^ Heming's, To put a Lett^ in the Post, to call 
 on M^ N. Paice, and negotiate with him for his vote 
 for D^ Harvey in the room of D^ Higginson of Guys who 
 died that Morning, To go to M^ Reads in white Friars 
 and order loooo Dutch clinkers to be left at M^^ c^l- 
 thorps at Camberwell, To ask Wildman's of Holbourn 
 the price of two sets of Bees, and To buy a box of Irwin's 
 fruit Lozenges. 
 
 Evidently George's readiness to dispense with the favour 
 of the Smith household was not without its reasons. 
 
 On December the 2nd the vicar of Driffield had an 
 exciting experience to report. He and his pupil, Daw- 
 kins, had paid a visit to 
 
 a M^ Parsons on the Gloster road. . . . Bob Timbrell 
 and his family were of our Party — We rompt and Danced 
 and Sung till near Eight o' Clock and then set out in 
 high Spirits for Ciceter, but had not rode 3 Mile before 
 we met with the most terrible storm of Rain, Thunder 
 and Lightning. I and Dawkins luckily got Shelter at 
 a little Inn but poor M^^ T and her Daughters, who 
 were in a Chaise and drove thro it suffered inexpressibly 
 — Bob who kept with them, lost his Eye Sight for some 
 Minutes with the Lightning and they got home in a sad 
 Condition being obligd to keep the Glasses down, and had 
 been near over set by the Horses jumping out of the road 
 — mean while we regaled on Bread and Cheese and Ale 
 and after Staying near 2 Hours, the Moon Rose, the 
 Storm ceased — and we had a charming Ride to Driffield 
 tho late — to give you an Idea of the Lightning here — 
 our Tho^ and Hester going just before the Storm to 
 drive a Cow to grass were both struck down by the same 
 Flash. The Boy got up immediately but could not see 
 which way he ran and tumbled over Hester, who lay 
 senseless and he thought her Dead and was going to 
 leave her — however she came to herself soon, and they 
 ran home, but so terrified you would have pitied them. 
 
246 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 On the 1 6th of the same month Richard and his 
 pupil, on one o£ their jaunts, 
 
 met with looo French Prisoners on their March to 
 Lichfield — Sea officers on their parole. They had only 
 a Conductor with them and march ten Miles a Day — 
 they seem a set of poor spiritless Fellows, but much 
 more orderly and decent in their Behavior than ours 
 generally appear. Shoud any of them stay at Ciceter, 
 I shall scrape acquaintance with some of the genteelest 
 looking Men for the sake of Information. 
 
 Towards the end of the year Richard made a stay in 
 London, and took the opportunity of calling upon Mr. 
 Smith before seeing any of his other friends, wishing 
 " to make a merit of going before I have made my 
 Visits in Town, which I know will be taken well." He 
 reached home on Christmas Eve, and 
 
 had the Pleasure to find every, thing as I coud wish. — 
 Mother in good Spirits, making great Provision for the 
 Poor, both of Bread and Meat, our usual Donation on 
 this Day. 
 
 A mysterious paragraph appears later in this Christmas 
 Day letter : 
 
 The Grecian Lady has excited my Curiosity (to call 
 it by no other Name) and if you love me, get some 
 more Intelligence about her I am interested more than 
 you can Imagine in her Adventures, but pray do not 
 mention mine, with her, to any one. Seen from this 
 Place [it] looks like the Summit of Impudence and if I 
 ever see her again it must be on the Strength of a better 
 Introduction. 
 
 From various scattered hints I am disposed to believe 
 that Richard had met this lady at a masquerade, where, 
 possibly, she had worn what a contemporary dressmaker 
 would have denominated " a Grecian habit." 
 
The Cumberland Letters 247 
 
 George, writing on the 29th to thank his mother 
 for sundry articles of Christmas cheer, and for " your 
 kind letter . . . open as the hand which writ and warm 
 as the heart which dictated it," sent a reply in the fol- 
 lowing form : 
 
 Tell my brother that I will take care and enquire after 
 the Grecian Chart he m[ ] to me, and I believe 
 
 I have met with [ ] who c^n put it into my 
 
 hands in a few day[ ]. 
 
 Sad to say, he had, in unpacking his hamper, over- 
 looked " the chine," the subsequent fate of which 
 remains unrecorded : " in future never send me any- 
 thing but Plumb Cakes, they will keep, and I have a 
 better scent after them." 
 
 Miss Green's letter — apparently her first to George 
 — reached him probably a few days earlier. It is written 
 in an excellently clear, rather masculine hand (perhaps 
 Miss Sally kept her father's books for him) and is far 
 more correct in the matter of spelling than any of Mrs. 
 Cumberland's, although that lady had been educated 
 by a wealthy relative of good social position. In respect 
 of punctuation, however, it must be owned that Miss 
 Green was eccentric. Evidently George had confided 
 to his distant correspondent those newspaper engage- 
 ments which he had bidden his brother keep so pro- 
 foundly secret. 
 
 Who shoud have thought of your becoming Writer 
 [ ] Ordinary, and Extraordinary, wish I cou'd 
 
 see the paper but we do not take them at Home and as 
 there are no Lady's Coffee Rooms It will not be in my 
 Power by the Bye, I wish somebody of Consequence 
 wou'd set it on Foot I'm sure it wou'd take what a 
 Comfortable Thing it wou'd be a nice large Room and 
 Fire and Newspapers Printed entirely for our use none 
 
248 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 of your Dry Stuf fit only for Starched Politicians, quite 
 different ! — ^we woud have nothing but dear Nonsence 
 a few Deaths, Marriages with a little Wit and News and 
 perhaps a Mixture of a little Scandal all this with our 
 own Chit Chat would make it charming and I think 
 now and then you woud Honour us with a Fragment, 
 
 Her letter concludes with amazing conciseness for an 
 eighteenth-century correspondent : " Adieu. Yrs. S 
 Green," and she dates with admirable completeness : 
 " Bury. Dec. 23 1779." To this letter George appears 
 to have replied promptly, for a draft answer occupies 
 the next pages of the collection ; and is succeeded by 
 the rough copy of one to Miss Townsend. 
 
 After having written more Lett^^ than I can recollect 
 without the satisfaction of knowing that you have 
 received them, you must not blame me if I add to the 
 list another to expostulate with you on your silence. 
 It is not in my power to express how happy it will render 
 me to be releived from the various surmises I have 
 formed on the reason of your not writing. None of 
 them have been to the prejudice of your good temper, 
 but many have arisen from my anxiety for your health 
 — I have heard of your illness but not of your intire 
 recovery, and I wish to have it from your own hands — 
 My brother who has been in town a few days, tells me 
 you are now or will be very soon at Buscott — this has 
 induced me to direct there in hopes that out of the leisure 
 of a long visit an hour may be allotted to me. You are 
 not perhaps acquainted how kindly M^ Loveden has 
 interfered in the dispute between my brother and M"^ S. 
 — ^he acted the part of an old friend on the occasion, 
 not of a new acquaintance, and I have the pleasure to 
 say his endeavours were not ineffectual — I beleive I 
 told you all the source of their dispute, it was as unex- 
 pected as the reconciliation — as both seemed in some 
 measure to be accidental, only with the difference, a de- 
 signing man exited his animosity and [ ] well meaning 
 
The Cumberland Letters 249 
 
 person healed the breach — But this is nothing to the 
 subject of my Lett. wh. is uppermost and wh. I must 
 resume. 
 
 Considering the proper freedom with which you 
 express your sentiments on all occasions in conversation 
 and the little apparent difficulty you seem to have in 
 telling us your feelings at any time, I have often been 
 at a loss to account for that shyness which you seem to 
 possess when you should take up the pen — you complain 
 of that as a labour wh. should be a relaxation and talk 
 of want of time to perform what every body finds time 
 for. For this reason I cannot accept of such an apology 
 wh. you twice made, and must rather think you have 
 been persuaded that it is improper to correspond with 
 a person of my sex and that some prude or censorious 
 person, who wants the proper feelings of humanity, 
 and is absorbed in the narrow prejudice of education, 
 has taken advantage of your respect for her opinion, to 
 instill into your mind such a doctrine, for surely your 
 reason never told you that a virtuous communication of 
 ideas could be reprehensible on account of the sex they 
 were addressed to — on the contrary the reason why it 
 is commendable is too obvious to escape the notice of 
 any sensible person, and the pleasure it produces too 
 reasonable to be censured by any thinking one. If this 
 suspition of mine is a true one do me the justice to confess 
 it, and if my Letters are become irksome to you, be 
 equally candid, as you may be assured, that however 
 flattering the continuance of them may be to me, your 
 inclination will ever be preferred to my own — ^Wishing 
 you and Family all the good wishes of the Season, I 
 remain . . . 
 
 One seems to read in his entreaty for at least an 
 explanation instead of the baffling silence to which she 
 had condemned him, the cry of poor George's flickering 
 hope. The truth appears to be that from the receipt 
 of that letter which was intended to lead up to an avowal 
 of his attachment, she had decided that the correspon- 
 
250 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 dence could not continue upon the footing which it was 
 assuming — George had said too much not to say more. 
 He, on his part, feared to say more without some sign 
 of encouragement, and that sign she would not give. 
 Whether, if he had made a definite proposal, she would 
 have accepted it can be but a matter of conjecture ; 
 it is even possible — though there is no evidence at all to 
 that effect — that he did make such a proposal, and was 
 refused. I rather believe, however, that this was one of 
 those love affairs which from a sort of shyness or un- 
 readiness fail to come to their crisis at the natural 
 moment, and gradually fade away, leaving often a pang 
 behind on both sides. That his failure to marry Miss 
 Townsend was the greatest misfortune of George's life 
 is the impression left strongly upon my own mind. She 
 was a woman who would have developed the best parts 
 of his character, and when, a few years later, unexpected 
 prosperity befell him, she would have been a wife suited 
 to his position, who could have been the centre of such 
 a social circle as he loved. At this point, marriage still 
 seemed to hang in the balance, but another weight soon 
 fell into the scale, and, almost unconsciously perhaps, 
 George came to be entangled in stronger claims. 
 
 The New Year had its gaieties in Gloucestershire. 
 Richard wrote on January the 3rd, 1780, that he had 
 attended 
 
 our Assembly last Wedn^ and an excellent one it Was. 
 You have heard of Miss Sparkes — she was there, in all 
 the Pride of Health and Wit and Beauty, at fifteen — 
 I have dined there in her Company since, and had such 
 a Bout at Romps with her as makes the London Girls 
 seem mere Babys in Comparison — All this has not been 
 able to drive out the Idea of my lovely Incognito, but 
 rather on the contrary improved my Opinion of her 
 Merits — and more I must know, before I can be Satisfied 
 
The Cumberland Letters 251 
 
 — Your Opinion of her Person — an account o£ her Situa- 
 tion Character and Connections, all these I expect from 
 You ... If You coud procure an Introduction, thro 
 any other Family than the Reads, it woud be best, but 
 let me beg of you not to mention the Side Box Adven- 
 tures to them or any one else. — As to Greece I suspect 
 it was a Blunder of your Friend the Butcher — she is 
 more probably a Creole. . . . The great Fault I find in 
 our English Women is want of Sentiment . . . they 
 have no Expression in their Eyes ; except to indicate 
 the more violent Passions and seem little disposed to 
 form those tender Attachments of Love and Friendship 
 independent of Selfish Motives. 
 
 And he proceeds to complain that 
 
 it is impossible not to observe a want of Delicacy es- 
 pecially in the Article of Marriage that lessons our 
 Opinion of them greatly. 
 
 Considering our young gentleman's own cold-blooded 
 attitude towards matrimony and that he had written : 
 
 I cannot help thinking it an advantage to be unpre- 
 judiced and impartial in an affair of so much consequence 
 to our future happiness as the Choice of a Wife, 
 
 the censure comes with rather an ill grace. But the idea 
 that women should, in equity, be measured by the same 
 standard as men had not dawned upon the eighteenth 
 century. 
 
 In this month had occurred the death — in the work- 
 house, I think — of " Nancy " Balchen, and Richard 
 reported that his mother had been much affected by 
 the sad end of her sister and had wept ; although the 
 event must, in one sense, have been felt as a relief by all 
 surviving members of the family. 
 
 A subordinate of the Royal Exchange Assurance 
 Company had embezzled money and absconded, after 
 
252 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 leaving his wife and young children unprovided for. 
 George, as might have been expected, had been active 
 in collecting a Httle fund for her, and in finding her 
 employment. This conduct Richard praised, and George 
 retorted : 
 
 You hurt me a little where you mean to praise for to 
 be highly pleased to find me above common prejudices 
 looks as if you had been uncertain about it before . . . 
 when you see me help a beggar over a Channel in St 
 James's Street or run across the way to pick up an orange- 
 woman's hat, and return it to her without blushing or 
 looking round me, then I will give you leave to say I 
 have not a vulgar soul. . . . These are Matters, however 
 trivial they may appear, which mark the great distinction 
 in the species the Man of Sense, and the Creature of 
 Custom, and he that cannot do thus will rarely do a great 
 action from Principle. ... I supped last night with 
 Henderson the Player and staid till One o' Clock, he 
 read us three acts of a new tragedy of M' Cumberland, 
 on the Old Story of Tarquin and Lucrece he did it great 
 justice in the reading, and [ ] the first and 3rd Act 
 
 is fine, but they will never get performers for it. M^^ 
 Henderson is a most agreeable woman, and he seemingly, 
 a gentlemanlike good natured Man — ^he hoped to see 
 me again, and I shall certainly go. M^ Ireland with 
 whom I went to spend the evening introduced me — 
 they are a happy cheerful couple, possessing Judgement 
 and talents, and are acquainted with Most of the Wits, 
 Male and female in Town. 
 
 A little letter written by Miss Green on February the 
 1st may serve as a sample of the manner in which young 
 ladies wrote to gentlemen in London about the year 1780. 
 
 What ? I suppose you think we are in want of amuse- 
 ment, in the Country, this Christmas, that you must 
 send Enigmas, what a Letter was your last, I mean that 
 by the Post, the one you sent by M^ HoU, was the last 
 received, tho it should have arrived before, but when 
 
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 Digitized by IVIicrosoft® 
 
The Cumberland Letters 253 
 
 we trust to the kind Hand of a Friend, we must excuse 
 them if they are not quite so exact, as a Post whom we 
 Pay, and consequently expect Punctuality from. — 
 
 I thank you for my Almanack, it will serve for my 
 Purposes, besides that you mention, I dont want to be put 
 in mind, that a Letter is due to you and has been this 
 month, but I know not how it is I am Idle, and have been 
 in the Country a Week, where we were as merry as its 
 Possible quite a young Party, visiting a Gent, and Lady, 
 who take no other delight than in such Company, 
 and exerting all their Powers to make them Happy, 
 I always Pay them a visit at Christmas, and enjoy more 
 satisfaction in it ; than such a visit generally Produces, 
 Old People are apt to be Crabbed, and ilnatured, but 
 these, are an exception from the general Rule and they 
 have their Reward, for they are I truly believe, as Happy 
 as they appear to be — 
 
 I beg you'll write soon that I may have a White 
 mark in my Almanack. My Comp^ to M^ Highmore, 
 tho if I have Time I'll write to Him to Day. 
 
 Yrs, 
 
 S. Green. 
 Bury Feh V\ 
 
 1780. 
 M' Cumberland, 
 
 No 56 Friday Street, 
 Cheap Side, 
 
 London. 
 
 On Lady Day Richard, regardless of his brother's 
 dislike to letters about agriculture, wrote in a most 
 pastoral mood, reciting the births of " a fine Calf " 
 and of " 30 sheep." 
 
 These are Matters of no small concern to Us in the 
 Country, and afford an amusement innocent at least and 
 somewhat cheaper than any of your London ones. 
 The fine Weather makes us all alive and in Spirits and 
 we envy nobody whilst it lasts. 
 
254 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 Among the many tokens of George's'genius for friend- 
 ship, with which the correspondence abounds, is the 
 following letter from a despairing lover whose name it 
 seems kinder to withhold. 
 
 Dear Cumberland, 
 
 It is only to you I dare venture to lay open a heart 
 burdened with sorrow, which I should do much readier 
 were you not to take a part of it to yourself, as I could 
 only wish to disclose, and not to make you a partaker of 
 my affliction — I have endeavoured to sleep but cannot 
 and the only satisfaction I have found for some time, is 
 that my fire will permit me to light a candle at 3 o clock 
 in the morning. A sight of my dear Harriet at the 
 Exhibition has over set all my phylosophy — By nature 
 I was meant for a deceitful villain — I pass'd by her with 
 the most seeming indifference, and although they, or 
 Shelley, or some one of the Party spoke to my father I 
 was mad enough, in a damned kind of side sneer upon 
 my countenance, vociferously to joke M^^ Meanling (who 
 attends the Exhibition) on some triffling affair. They 
 did not permit me to insult them any more, as they 
 left the Room two minutes after, tho they had not 
 been ten in the Exhibition Room : Surely some in- 
 fernal deamon is resolved to make me appear con- 
 temptible in the eyes of the only girl, who can make 
 me happy — 
 
 O my friend did you know what I feel, I should excite 
 your pity — but I do not wish it — If you permit me to 
 ease my mind by writing to you, it is all I desire of you ; 
 as I trust you will never let a second person see the con- 
 tents of my letter. I certainly shall go mad if I am not 
 so already — I do not know what to wish — was I capable, 
 which I never shall be, to clear up the affair, and was 
 permitted again to hope to gain Harriets consent for 
 my happiness, what a distant prospect I have to look to 
 for the compleation of it. And should she consent from 
 interested motives — I was doomed to be miserable and 
 I must conform to my fate, however I trust that a good 
 
The Cumberland Letters 255 
 
 and merciful God will ease me of my misery by shortening 
 of my existence I am affectionately Yours . 
 
 It was with confidence of your secrecy I wrote the 
 above — as I find myself much better from this indulgence 
 of my sorrow — I flatter myself you will admit it as a 
 sufficient excuse for my troubling you with it. Let me 
 hear from you — Friday 3 o clock morning — 
 
 M^ Geo: Cumberland, 
 
 Insurance Office, 
 
 Royal Exchange. 
 
 A letter from Richard Collins marks approximately 
 the date of George's removal from Friday Street (where 
 he seems to have lived first at No. 37 and afterwards at 
 No. 56) to No. I Church Court, Clement's Lane. The 
 lane runs between King William and Lombard Streets, 
 and is a quiet nook easy to be overlooked ; the court 
 which runs round two sides of St. Clement's Church is 
 quieter still, and No. I lies at the least frequented corner. 
 Some part of the house is evidently old, and the wooden 
 room on the first floor may well have formed part of 
 George's particular abode. The landlord of whom 
 he hired his rooms I will call Carter (although this was 
 not his actual name), and I rather think he had some 
 connection with the Royal Exchange Assurance Company. 
 He was a married man — his wife being, I suspect, of 
 better family than himself — and the father of two or 
 three children. 
 
 A lively letter from Miss Green shows that in April, 
 1 78 1, his correspondence wijdi that young lady was in 
 some danger of giving rise to local scandal. 
 
 It is so long since I wrote that I'm almost asham'd to 
 acknowledge I am still living, I must not think of it nor 
 look back, if I do, I shall never dare to trouble you with 
 another Letter — tho I have a charge against you which 
 will almost ballance it, you forget you have taken up the 
 
256 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 very Charactar you had appear'd to despise, nay, even 
 written against — Punctilio you pretended not to bear the 
 Idea of it, and yet, no Letter to me because I had not 
 answer'd your last — You can preach but — ^you know the 
 rest — 
 
 Your Epistle which came whilst I was at Norwich, 
 was carried to a Miss of 50, who bears my name, who in a 
 huff, was going to commit it to the Flames, (luckily 
 it was summer and no fire near her) but she recollected 
 there was a Child, (as she terms me) in Cook Row of the 
 same name — very much astonished that my Father 
 should suffer me to write to Male Creatures^ who she 
 said, " as he might see by the Letter " " thought of 
 nothing but Dogs and Horses " if you remember it was 
 a Dissertation upon Hobby Horses^ she never was so pro- 
 phane I dare answer for her as to turn over a Shandy — 
 of all the follies in nature, nothing is so detested by me 
 as prudery, I hope never to go beyond the verge of 
 Delicacy, but I do pray I may not become a Prude — 
 
 I hear M^ Highmore is very bad, I am exceedingly 
 sorry for it, its a most dreadful hardship so young as 
 M^s H. is to become a widow — 
 
 I expect to have a very long Letter from you soon, 
 by way of acknowledgment of your transgressions, and 
 forgiveness, of mine — ^Pray are we to see you this 
 summer ? this is the third season since your promise 
 was given, our Family will all be happy in your company 
 and particularly 
 
 Yr. hb' Sert, 
 
 Bury A-pl 3, S. Green. 
 
 1781. 
 
 P.S. My Father and Mother desire their best Re- 
 spects — I have desired the Post Master to send all 
 L^s directed for Miss Green to me as I can always tell 
 by the writing whether they are mine — 
 M^ Cumberland, 
 
 Church Court, 
 
 Clement Lane, 
 London, 
 
The Cumberland Letters 257 
 
 From a draft in his writing we may conclude that 
 George wrote in reply : 
 
 Your relation of the Fate of my poor Epistle has 
 diverted me not a Little, and I Marvel how it happened 
 that it was not handed about the Town as a warning 
 peice to all young women shewing how a booksellers 
 daughter of Bury was detected in a familiar corre- 
 spondence with a youth of London City, by a virtuous 
 Maiden of the same place The whole being a Monument 
 of God's revenge against Scribbling, and a lasting example 
 of the licentiousness of the times. 
 
 Richard about this time paid a visit to his brother in 
 London — ^whether he met the Grecian lady does not 
 appear — and went thence to Cambridge to take his 
 degree (he was eventually a Doctor of Laws), returned 
 for another brief stay in town, and finally went 
 home in time to take three services and a christening 
 on March the 5 th. His mother he found well and 
 cheerful. 
 
 You will scarce believe Me, but in the Course of 4 
 weeks the Good Lady had expended only 4s 6d of the 
 Money I left with her and yet assured me she had wanted 
 for Nothing. . . . To account for it You must Consider 
 we have always a Stock of Necessaries, such as Corn, 
 Bacon, Poultry and Liquors in the House and there is 
 neither Temptation nor Opportunity to trifle away 
 Money. 
 
 On March the 21st Richard had heard from his brother 
 the news of another cousin's death — that of Mrs. Read, 
 who had been Sarah Balchen. George, he supposed, 
 would attend the funeral. 
 
 Be so good as to attend to Cozen Mary's Behaviour 
 on this and any other occasion that falls in your way, 
 as You know I have the highest Opinion of Your Judg- 
 
 R 
 
258 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 ment and am interested more nearly than you can con- 
 ceive in the Family since my last Visit — Something 
 whispers me she is the good Woman I have been so long 
 in search of — that without many shining ones she has all 
 the good Qualities necessary to make the Married State 
 comfortable — of a serious Religious turn without Melan- 
 choly — of a tender Disposition and passionately fond of 
 Children — Her Education not amiss and Situation in 
 Life sufficiently humble, by which I mean, such that 
 being taken from an uneasy Dependance on a mean 
 Selfish Woman to be Mistress of My House and Family 
 woud be an Elevation rather than the Contrary, which 
 is a Circumstance I lay great Stress on. 
 
 At Easter George made a short visit to Driffield, and 
 after making one of the little tours to which he was so 
 much addicted, returned to London, where, in the early 
 part of April, he received the following letter : 
 
 Driffield f^ Afril 1780. 
 
 Dear George, 
 
 We are exceeding happy to hear of your safe 
 arrival in Town from your romantic expedition for such 
 I must call it, and hope you found benefit from the 
 change of air and exercise. You were very fortunate 
 in weather as we have not had a fine Day since you left 
 us, nor have I been able to pay my Visit at Buscott, tho 
 intend setting out tomorrow. To match your adventure 
 at the little Inn, I'll tell you one that happened here 
 this morning. Before I was up Alice Howell called here 
 to tell us they had had a strange visit the yesterday from 
 a young man, a Brother of Dyers who was Curate here, 
 that they knew not what to make of him nor how to 
 act by him — He was dressed she said in a kind of Livery, 
 very dirty, wanted to get to his Friends, but had no 
 money in his Pocket. That they had heard M^" Dyer say 
 he had been extravagant and were afraid to trust him with 
 any but thought it woud be as well to give him a trifle 
 and send him away. I did not know what to make of it. 
 
The Cumberland Letters 259 
 
 as I had never heard of his having a Brother, so bid her 
 send him to me to Breakfast and tell him I shoud be glad 
 to see him. He came and instead of the strange Figure 
 I expected to s^e, there appears a young naval officer 
 in a full suit of Regimentals the rather the worse for 
 wear and excepting being a little shorter and thicker 
 so like his Brother I wanted no other certificate. I 
 received him accordingly and entering into Conver- 
 sation learnt that he was Masters Mate of the Eagle — 
 was taken Prisoner at Fort Montgomery 2 years ago, 
 and had just made his escape from the Rebels and got 
 back in a Prize Ship to Bristol, where he was set on 
 shore last week, and not knowing his Brother had quitted 
 Cicester had traveld to that Place on foot and enquird 
 for him at his old Lodging, but the man of the House 
 was Dead and he coud get no Intelligence — he then 
 rememberd having been with his Brother to Dine at 
 Howells, which induced him to go there and having got 
 directions to his Brother near Southampton must en- 
 deavour to get there as well as he coud. All this time he 
 said nothing of his Distress for money and woud have 
 taken leave. I desired him to stay a little longer and 
 turning the conversation to his method of traveling, 
 enquired how he was provided. He then told me, he 
 had set out from Bristol with only 8 shillings, that he 
 had been obligd to sell a clean shirt he had in his Pocket 
 and changed his last 6^ at Cicester — I asked him if a 
 Guinea woud be sufficient — a Guinea ! he reply'd, it 
 was more than he wished or hoped for — I put one into 
 his Hand and he seemed overjoy'd and told me from being 
 the most miserable man in the World I had made him 
 the happiest. The first use he would make of it woud be 
 to buy him a pair of shoes — No says I that will cut too 
 deep I have a pair will fit you — On trying them on I 
 perceived his Stocks^ were wet thro in coming only 
 from Howells — He received them thankfully and I 
 added an old but clean shirt stock and Handf. to appear 
 in among his Friends at Winchester, which is above 60 
 miles from hence cross the Country, and if he had not 
 
26o The Cumberland Letters 
 
 met with this accidental releif he was setting out with 
 only 2i in his Pocket, scarce any shoes to his Feet and not 
 a spare rag that he coud sell. I gave him a Letter to his 
 Brother and he took leave with a very different Counte- 
 nance from that he enter'd with — Before he left the 
 place he went to Howells and magnified the civilities 
 he had met with and they tell me he seemed greatly 
 distressed all the Time he was there coud neither eat 
 nor sleep, and tho' he said he wish'd he knew the Clergy- 
 man, woud have left them early in the morns without 
 calling if I had not sent for him as he said he was ashamed 
 to appear in so dirty a dress — He told me he was a good 
 deal mortified at being sometimes taken for a foot 
 boy or a Mountebank on account of his white Sleeves, 
 which made the Country People who know nothing of 
 uniforms suspicious of his Character. He woud have 
 been more so, to have beg<^ his way thro Wiltshire a most 
 dirty inhospitable country — In America he had been 
 quarterd on a Farmer up the Country and escapd with 
 two Sons of the Farmers who wished to leave the pro- 
 vincial service and get into ours — they took a Black 
 Servant to carry provisions and travelld [ ] miles thro 
 the Woods without daring to go near [ ] Houses 
 and had he been taken woud have been hanged imme- 
 diately for carrying away the natives — ^What strange 
 visisitudes are some men born to suffer. 
 
 I expect a Letter from you this week with news from 
 Newington — Mother is well and begs her Love, re- 
 member me to all Friends, and beleive me yours most 
 sincerely, 
 
 R. D. Cumberland. 
 
 Ml' Geo: Cumberland, 
 
 Exchange Insurance, 
 London. 
 
 This was the year of the Gordon riots, and George 
 wrote, dating his letter merely " May 1780," to assuage 
 any fears that might be entertained at DriflSeld con- 
 cerning his personal safety. 
 
The Cumberland Letters 261 
 
 May 1780. 
 Dear Richard,"^ 
 
 I suppose by the exaggerated account you have 
 in the country of our riot here you imagine that the city 
 is in Ashes, and the Inhabitants in arms but I am 
 sure you know too much of Mankind to beHeve more than 
 half on these occasions, however to make my Mother 
 easy, who no doubt supposes me in emminent danger 
 and in the heart of the mob, you may let her know that 
 it is out of my power to be there as I am confined at home 
 by a violent cold which gives me pluratic pains and makes 
 it dangerous to encounter the air which is uncommonly 
 keen, that I am setting in a flannel waist coat before a 
 good Fire and comforting the two good women who have 
 flown into my room for protection from their own fears 
 — this cold I caught by standing the greatest part of 
 Sunday night in a wall near the Romish Chapell in Moor 
 fields witnessing to scences wh. made my heart bleed, 
 without being able to prevent them — it was the most 
 singular and unhappy sight in the world— ^ mob en- 
 couraged by Magistrates and protected by Troops — 
 with xKq, mo^t orderly injustice destroying the property 
 of inocent individuals — Next to Lord Gordon, for whom 
 no punishment can be too great the magistrates of the 
 City deserve an ample share of vengeance from a basely 
 deserted people, having abandond their proper authority 
 of the government to their own opinions, and sacrificed 
 their Puty to their prejudices, or their fears — to this 
 wicked and scandalous neglect on Sunday evening may 
 all the riots of yesterday and to day be attributed grown 
 bold by sufferance they yesterday burnt Sir G. Savills 
 and a Chandlers who had taken one of them besides 2 
 schools and many private Masses — to day they burnt 
 Lr*^ Peters Furniture M^ Hyams etc and armed with 
 clubs to the amount so I am informed of 5000 are at this 
 instant going to the D. of Richmonds L. Shelburns etc 
 they have broke open Newgate set the prisoners at large 
 and at the moment it is in flames, however as it is of 
 stone there is no danger of a communication — the 
 
26fi The Cumberland Letters 
 
 Mansion house it is said is to share the same fate for what 
 reason no one can tell, however of this I am certain, 
 that no City in the universe can be more cfeserving in 
 general to suffer by mobs, the soldiers its said laid down 
 their arms to day on being ordered to fire, and the fact 
 is there are not wanting people in abundance who bribe 
 them with money and liquor to so shameful a pitch has 
 all respect for good government arisen in this unhappy 
 place of discontent and rebellion — no matter, I set and 
 [ ] philosophically, I consider it as [ ] our irregu- 
 larities, and however severe the remedy may be if the 
 constitution is the better for it — of what consequence 
 is the destruction of 20 or 30 houses, or the loss of 50 
 ragamuffins if the civil authority is strengthned by it — 
 you are of my opinion I know and therefore I say this 
 — adieu I must leave off as the Post is going out if any 
 thing new occurs I will write tomorrow or send a Paper 
 — you got my Morns Chronicle — Adieu. 
 
 Yours faithfully, 
 
 G. Cumberland. 
 
 Rev: Cumberland, 
 
 Driffelde near Cirencester, 
 Glocestershire. 
 
 On June the 8th George was able to report himself 
 well enough to go out, the town under military law and 
 the riots in course of suppression. He lamented that he 
 had not " learnt my Exercise last Summer," and, on the 
 other hand, rejoiced that the " scoundrelly Magistrates 
 are superseded by a more absolute authority." In short, 
 his letter reflects fairly enough, no doubt, the agitation, 
 alarm and indignation of peaceful and conservative 
 Londoners at that troubled period. 
 
 Richard was of his brother's way of thinking, but per- 
 ceived grounds for further anxiety, 
 
 but for your authority coud not have conceived it 
 possible in this enlightened Age, that things coud have 
 
The Cumberland Letters 263 
 
 been carried to such horrid Length. Not that I think 
 the Mob actuated by any real Fears or dread of Popery, 
 which can be nothing but a Pretense for Violence and 
 therefore the more dangerous as it will be difficult to 
 give a turn to their Spirit of Mutiny and Rebellion — 
 Depend on it they are encouraged and Supported by 
 that abandond Party who have long been publicly 
 diffusing the Seeds of Insurrection and the Danger is 
 that having tasted the Sweets of Power and indulged their 
 Propensity for Plunder, however a superior Force may 
 overawe them at present, it will soon break out again 
 whenever a plausible pretext offers itself. 
 
 Towards the end of June Miss Townsend was once 
 more in the neighbourhood of Driffield. Richard soon 
 met her, and immediately afterwards wrote to his 
 brother : 
 
 You remember the Conversation we had about that 
 Lady after You were here last — ^let Me know Your Mind 
 on that Subject and whether supposing You had no 
 thought of succeeding Yourself — You woud have any 
 Objection to a Friend making the Attempt. But don't 
 imagine that I have already made up my Mind and then 
 ask Your Opinion as that is not the Case, since there are 
 few things I woud not give up to promote your Happi- 
 ness. 
 
 How far Richard was serious in this question or how 
 far he was, perhaps, setting a test before his brother, in 
 order to measure the depth or shallowness of his feelings 
 towards " that lady," cannot be decided. That it 
 greatly disturbed George is shown by his not very coherent 
 reply. Evidently he desired to be quite just, evidently 
 also he prized the frankness with which the question 
 had been put to him ; but he was not able to conceal 
 the pain which it gave him. He tried to analyse his own 
 feelings. 
 
264 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 I tell you then again with undissembled plainness, 
 that she has caught my regard in a Manner wh. at 
 the same time that I am not able to account for, I am 
 unable to oppose — If interest had swayd me, I had not 
 written the Letter I showd you — If absence had lessend 
 it, I should not now be writing this — My esteem for 
 personal ornaments has given way to it, for I do not 
 admire her person — my favourite quality of Meekness 
 is not there — I fear wit, and she possesses it — I hate Pride 
 — and think I discover it in her — what I admire in her I 
 will not enumerate to tire you — but still I love her 
 altogether — This therefore is an honorable, a respectable 
 attachment — and for this reason only deserves fair play 
 — and which perhaps is singular it desires no more ; 
 for agitated as I felt myself by the bare account of her 
 being at Buscott and slightly enquiring after me and 
 warmly as I take anything like a proposal to erase her 
 from my imagination — I would not at this moment 
 ally myself to her if it was not in my power to affect her 
 heart. ... I wish to see her once more before I set 
 about the task of forgetting her — and then if I have no 
 thoughts of succeeding in my wishes — there is no man 
 living to whom I would more readily resign my preten- 
 tions — that my sentiments may remain unaltered at 
 that interview and that hers may meet them is my real 
 wish. 
 
 The next letter in the collection was written in July, 
 and seems to show that George had been in Gloucester- 
 shire, probably with the intention of having that inter- 
 view with Miss Townsend which was meant to be 
 decisive. If he had it — which I rather doubt — it must 
 have left matters much where they were, for it is clear 
 that his hopes were not quite extinguished. Somewhat 
 later Richard was able to tell him of a conversation, 
 in which she had mentioned her fear that George must 
 think ill of her persistent failure to answer his letters ; 
 she had, however, been advised that it was scarcely 
 
The Cumberland Letters 265 
 
 proper to keep up such a correspondence, and was sure 
 that if Richard had seen some of his brother's letters, 
 he would be of the same opinion. George expresses 
 the strongest satisfaction at this news, and for some weeks 
 in the late summer of 1780 was perhaps as happy in his 
 thoughts of Miss Townsend as at any time of their 
 acquaintance. 
 
 The visit of Mary Balchen to Driffield so long desired 
 by her aunt and cousins, took place in July, 1780, and the 
 reason for her coming was alarming. George had been 
 informed 
 
 that this measure had not been adopted till her apothe- 
 cary had pronunced her life in danger without a change 
 of Air. 3 weeks ago she took a sore throat by being out 
 late in an evening, which turned to a Cough and tho not 
 apparently dangerous at present is very alarming to any 
 one who knows her family. This I am sure you will take 
 no notice of, as it should be every ones business to dispel 
 in her the Idea and I think there is great hopes that your 
 air may recover her. 
 
 On August the 9th George's renewed hopes concerning 
 Miss Townsend were fading again. 
 
 Aug 9 1780. 
 
 It was half an hour my dear friend before I could 
 discover the reason that your last letter (which found [ ] 
 in the best of tempers) had put me out of humour with 
 every thing, and that I could not read it without a deal 
 of dissatisfaction — since I got it I have been into S* 
 Pauls Church Yard in a broiling sun, and quarrelld with 
 all the booksellers prentices in Paternoster row, because 
 they did not know the tittle of book lately translated by 
 some body from Philostratus — G^ forgive me ! but I 
 looked sour upon happy people, and shoved every one 
 that stood in my way, and walked fast, and struck the 
 Posts, and sent the carriages to the Devil — however I 
 had no spight against any one for I took the pains to call 
 
266 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 on M^ T. and M^ Read to let them know that Mary 
 was better, wh. gave me pleasure in the midst of it all — 
 yet here I am come home to my dinner, without any 
 appetite, and snapping the maids nose of, because she 
 tells me it is ready — and what do you think is the cause 
 of it all ? out with it — because your Letter does not say 
 that T. asked after me, or mentiond my name. — And 
 after having cherished an idea that you would be able to 
 tell me something after your visit, I only learn from your 
 silence that you have no good and perhaps some bad to 
 tell me wh. you conceal — What Demon is it that spight 
 of my senses, my rebuffs, my absence still chains me there 
 — be so kind in your next to tell me how old she is ? 
 that she has a high shoulder — that she has been some years 
 I know not where, and done I know not what — that 
 she despises me so much that she does not think it worth 
 her while to tell me so — You may add if you please that 
 she has pride, and no fortune and is extravagant — but 
 dont say for the world ! that she has understanding, and 
 thinks for herself, and has an expressive countenance 
 and wit, and good nature — 
 
 If you have a grain of sense now you will like this 
 Letter ; it is not every body that will thus shew you the 
 workings of the mind, but for my part I care not if it 
 was posted at Charing Cross, since it is no disgrace to be 
 as we are, and I see no method of cure in any case without 
 going to the bottom of the disease — do me the favour 
 therefore to make no ceremony, but tell me that she 
 spoke contemptiously of me, — wh. will convince me she 
 has no feeling, or say any thing you can think of to her 
 prejudice if you know any thing ? and then I shall 
 resolve never to see her any more — but if you have really 
 forgot my interest there, and neglected the offices of 
 friendship at that interview, tell me so at once, I shall 
 easily forgive it — and will make a point of once more 
 visiting your country that I may in person be relieved 
 from an insupportable suspence — but now comes the 
 cream of the Lett^ you may draw upon me for ^lo 
 — more when you will paying the whole any time in 
 
The Cumberland Letters 267 
 
 November punctually and thats more than I would 
 lend myself — but you know I must settle, if I can do 
 better I will let you know when I have examined my 
 cash — In this as in everything else I have vain fears — 
 Adieu. 
 
 G. Cumberland. 
 Rev** Cumberland, 
 
 Driffelde near Cirencester, 
 Glocester. 
 
 Driffield vicarage was a gayer place when inhabited by 
 a young lady visitor than when it had housed three 
 hobbledehoy pupils, and in August Richard wrote, amid 
 a chronicle of other junketings : 
 
 I had the honour last Thursday of escorting 7 Ladies 
 to a public Breakfast 2 of them the most Beautiful 
 I ever saw — ^the Duke and Duchess of Beaufort, L<* 
 Bathurst and Lord Asb[ ] and their Families were 
 there — at Night we had an excellent Ball and a deal of 
 good Company. I was told today M^ Cumberland has 
 been taken great notice of abroad — pray tell me what 
 You have heard of his Business there — wish he had taken 
 you for he is gone in a public Capacity tis a good Road to 
 Preferment. 
 
 For Mr. Cumberland, the mission (to Spain) led to 
 little more than vexation and the expenditure of large 
 sums of money upon the expenses of the journey, which 
 were never repaid to him by the English Government. 
 
 George was gradually making friends among those 
 intelligent and artistic men whose society was congenial 
 to him ; he reports that he had been 
 
 within this twelvemonth Introduced to some Geniuses 
 and Men of Science — Sancho, M^ Ireland (this was John, 
 not Samuel Ireland) D' Solander who has given Me an 
 order of General admission to the Museum, M^ Townley, 
 the greatest Collector of Antiques in England — M^ 
 Henderson the Player, — a M' Smeathman lately whose 
 
268 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 account [ ] hope to assist with plates — with whom 
 
 [ ] tomorrow and Meet the arch Bishop of Canter- 
 
 ibury, M^ [ ] &c he will likewise introduce me to 
 
 M^ Banks [ ] Royal Society and Moses Harris 
 
 the great [ J whose paintings I have long admired 
 
 — and to be int[ ] extraordinary Character as a painter 
 Barry whose genius [ ]uld get at Mickle, D^ 
 
 Price, D' Johnson Young Sheridan [ ] it, and have 
 
 refused invitations where they have been of the Party — 
 but the first I am told is stiff, the second political — the 
 third Pompous, and the fourth free thinking and over 
 bearing — for which reason I have refused to be intro- 
 duced to a Club at Slaughters where he is a Member. 
 
 Some political animosity must surely have inspired 
 the description of Sheridan, a man of singular amiability 
 in ordinary intercourse, and whose tongue was always 
 free from profanity. 
 
 In one of his letters about this time, George mentioned 
 that he had " now ;;^I50 a year clear." 
 
 In October Richard had made a visit to London, and 
 after he had gone home George wrote to him the follow- 
 ing characteristic and rather touching Uttle letter : 
 
 Nov 3. 1780. 
 Dear Richard, 
 
 If you had not promissed at parting to write on 
 your arrival^ I should not have been surprised at your 
 silence, and if you were not thoroughly acquainted with 
 the share of Phylosophy I possess, you would I am sure 
 by no means neglected giving me a Line, — You know it 
 is a leading Maxim with me to meet no evils — and that 
 I think it a mark of a little mind rather than of an affec- 
 tionate spirit, to be apprehensive of Danger to those we 
 esteem because they are not with us — that it gives pain 
 to others, and is irreligious in a supreme degree I am 
 confident, and therefore unworthy a gentleman and a 
 Christian, — ^yet all this conviction does not prevent me 
 from owning that I feel somewhat surprised at your 
 
The Cumberland Letters 269 
 
 silence, not to say uneasy, and therefore I must beg the 
 favor of you to remember your promise, and give a 
 confirmation of your welfare by return of Post and of that 
 health, which in the hands of Him who gave you exis- 
 tence, is I jeel better protected, than by bolts or bars, 
 or watchmen or Guards. 
 
 Adieu and believe me ever yours, 
 
 G. Cumberland. 
 
 Rev^ Cumberland, 
 
 Driffelde, Cirencester, 
 
 Glocestershire. 
 
 In December Richard was consulting his brother 
 about 
 
 an affair that is likely to give me some uneasiness. Chester 
 the successful Candidate at our last contested Election 
 died yesterday which is likely to produce another Contest, 
 as Berkley stands again. The other Candidate is M^ 
 Button, Brother to M^^ Lambart. I am personally 
 acquainted with neither but cannot [ ] being strongly 
 inclined to favor the latter as well on account of the Party 
 by which he is supported, as from the personal Know- 
 ledge I have of his Family and Connections, which are 
 by far the best in this Neighbourhood — so that when 
 M^ Lambart called on Me this Morns to beg me not to 
 engage my Vote, I should very readily have given him 
 the promise of it without reserve, but for the Recollec- 
 tion that M^ Smith promised his Vote on the other side 
 at the last Contest. The case was this Joe Small [whom, 
 it may be remembered, Richard suspected, justly or 
 unjustly, of having made mischief between Mr. Smith 
 and himself] who distinguished himself by his activity in 
 Berkley's Cause had soUicited him (Mr. S.) so strongly that 
 he was very much affronted M'* S. did not come down on 
 purpose to Vote for his Friend as he expected. I expect 
 therefore that he will be no less uregent with him this 
 Time, perhaps for his Interest with Me — and I should 
 be glad if possible to counteract his Influence there, 
 which is by no means great, at least so far as to be left 
 
270 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 at Liberty to dispose of my Vote as I think fit — ^Were 
 M' S. to be so far interested in Favour of the Opposite 
 Party as to serve them with his own Vote I coud by no 
 means think of rendering it void by voting on the other 
 side but shoud beg leave to stand neuter. How far 
 Gratitude obliges in these Cases [ ] 
 
 but shall not like to be made a Property of by a certain 
 Person (J. S.) who woud be ready enough to take the whole 
 merit to himself, while I am opposing my own Sentiments 
 and disobliging a Family whom it is my interest as well 
 as wish to keep well with. You who are at a Distance 
 from these Matters may think this of less Consequence ; 
 but nothing more frequently creates a Difference. Do 
 you know whether M^ S. is disposed in Favor of the 
 Popular Party or otherwise. I fear he is — To morrow 
 I shall take a ride to Buscot and see which way Loveden 
 inclines. He has always been looked on as a Government 
 Man — how far a Quarrel he had with Dutton some Years 
 since may operate, I can't say, but as he commands a 
 good many Votes in this County, it will mo&t likely 
 reconcile them. 
 
 His visit to Mr. Loveden did much to relieve Richard's 
 anxiety, for that gentleman 
 
 told me that had M^ S. voted last Time it woud have 
 been on his Side (Chesters) and himself proposed writing 
 to secure his Vote and Interest for Dutton which is just 
 what I wished, and I have great hopes from his Influence 
 there, that My Conscience will be unfetter'd, which is 
 one of the greatest Misfortunes incident to a State of 
 Dependence. 
 
 A letter of this December from George's artist friend 
 Irvine, then in Rome, presents an early instance of a 
 slang expression generally supposed to be more strictly 
 contemporary. Irvine had been ill of a fever " in which 
 your humble Serv* was within an ace of kicking the 
 bucket." 
 
The Cumberland Letters 271 
 
 Richard's report a few days later of a funeral at Driffield 
 in a style that he plainly considered shabby, may remind 
 us how much we have happily dropped of the pompous 
 ceremonies once thought becoming on such occasions. 
 
 Today the Corpse of Lady Coleraine was brought 
 hither for Interment by the side of her late Lord. 
 Nothing coud be conducted with more frugality a 
 Hearse and Six — a Coach with two or three Servants 
 — neither the Pulpit nor Chancel Hung — My Portion 
 exceeded what I expected 5 Pieces a Scarf and Hatband 
 &c The Six Farmers who carried her a Guinea, Scarf and 
 Hatband each — ^The Mourners just staid to see her 
 deposited in the Earth, and away — the Undertaker 
 left 50S with Me for use of Poor, being half the forfeit 
 for burying in Linnen. 
 
 The law ordered the burial of the dead in woollen 
 shrouds, as an encouragement to English manufactures, 
 but the wealthy, as shown by this instance, used linen 
 and paid a fine. 
 
 George's Christmas was to be spent at Richmond, 
 probably with Mr. Cross, but " were it not that it would 
 look singular," he would gladly, he said, stay at 
 home, 
 
 for I have so many jobs pland and so little time to execute 
 them that I can hardly afford 4 days Idleness — as it is 
 I mean to dedicate all the time possible to exercise and 
 health and to read and think as little as possible for 
 Reading has already brought on a serious complaint in 
 my Eyes, and thinking on a certain persons unaccountable 
 Conduct racks my Mind. In spight of a train of occu- 
 pations and engagements that have exceeded this winter 
 any thing I have ever before experienced She still holds 
 her place in my private hours, and drives cheerfulness 
 from them. 
 
 The next letter exhibits a handwriting that has not 
 
272 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 previously appeared. It is very careful, very regular, 
 very long in the loops, and belongs to John Balchen, 
 who writes in the following terms — no doubt exactly 
 the proper ones for a young man writing to a relative 
 whose hospitality he had recently enjoyed. 
 
 London 4'^' Jan" 1781. 
 Dear Cousin, 
 
 A Letter, when one has no particular subject 
 to write about, is generally to a Poor Orator a very diffi- 
 cult task, especially when it is divested of all the cere- 
 mony and Compliments, which is so much made use 
 of in letters, and which I think between near friends, 
 had better be omitted — I shall therefore without any 
 further apology proceed, with thanking You in my 
 Sisters name for your kind letter — which she received 
 just after she had sent one to my Aunt — she would 
 certainly have acknowledg'd it herself before, (and I 
 dare say will soon, if she dont see you in town, which 
 we all expect will be very soon) but when you hear of 
 her great anxiety and una [ ] dilligence in the illness 
 
 of Poor little Hannah and her affliction at her decease 
 — I am sure you will excuse her — upon my word she stood 
 greatly in need of Your usual kind advice to keep her 
 Spirits up — however, she is now much better — but I 
 am running on without mentioning the chief cause of 
 my troubling you with these, and that is to beg your 
 acceptance of a cask of some of the best Jamaica Rum 
 this city can produce, have sent it by the Cirencester 
 Coach to be left for you at the Ram — hope it will prove 
 acceptable — All friends here are in good health and desire 
 their best Respects to Aunt and self — could almost 
 swell a volume about M^^ r^ b^^- think had better do it 
 when we meet — hope My Aunt continues in her usual 
 good health. Pay my best respects to her and am not 
 without hopes of seeing her in the spring here — being 
 in haste must conclude — with wishing you and my Aunt 
 not only a happy new Year but a succession of that 
 
The Cumberland Letters 273 
 
 felicity which good hearts must always enjoy — and 
 remain, 
 
 Dear Cousin, 
 
 Your sincere friend, 
 
 J. Balchen. 
 The Rev^ and M™ Cumberland, 
 
 Driffield near Cirencester, 
 Gloucestershire. 
 
 Although this epistle was addressed conjointly to the 
 " Rev^ and M^^ Cumberland," the lady cannot have 
 taken her share of it until later, for she was at this 
 the time of its arrival on a visit at Richmond Hill, 
 where she seemed likely, according to the report of her 
 younger son, to " continue some time . . . for my part 
 I marvel what can make amend[s] for so much self denial." 
 The family being in a disturbed state over a love affair 
 of the daughter, George himself had avoided a prolonged 
 visit, 
 
 in which I should have been harrass[ ] with consulta- 
 tions and Cabals, been vexed with our Mothers oddities, 
 an object of family suspition, and incapable after all of 
 serving any one of them. 
 
 Miss Cross's lover was about to leave England — on 
 military service, I think — she, although she liked him, 
 refusing to marry with no larger a fortune than the 
 j^iooo and ^^500 a year which her father offered her, and 
 which " she spurned at, and said it would hardly by her 
 
 necessaries," 
 
 Richard's anxiety in the matter of the election was 
 most happily set at rest. He was able on January the 
 loth, 1 781, to inform his brother that he had received 
 a letter from Mr. Smith 
 
 which gave me a sincere Satisfaction. He apologizes 
 for not having answerd my last with thanks for Turkey 
 
274 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 &c — says M^ Loveden has applied to him about the 
 
 Election — that he takes it very kind in me (his own 
 
 words) to give him the Option — ^wishes well to M' 
 
 Button but if otherwise woud have Me oblige My Friends 
 
 in this Neighbourhood and concludes with Great 
 
 1111 
 CiviHty indeed ... so now I shall not only be able to 
 
 vote according to Inclination but have some share of 
 
 merit in serving M^ S. on that side. 
 
 In a letter of some ten days later, Richard speaks 
 feelingly of the neglected condition of a village in which 
 he had been taking a service. His sense of the duty 
 of the clergy towards the poor of their parishes and his 
 esteem for the virtues and good-will of his poorer 
 neighbours are very attractive points in his character, 
 and must have served to win him much affection. 
 
 I am returnd from serving three Churches and find 
 myself less fatigued than I expected, having no occasional 
 Duty at either [i.e. no baptisms, catechising, &c.] The 
 last afforded a more moving Scene of a Deserted village, 
 than that Picture of one painted by Goldsmith. De- 
 serted not of its inhabitants but by its Lord and Pastor 
 and thereby reduced to a State of Barbarity and Savage- 
 ness, a Neglect of the exterior Duties of Religion and 
 consequently but a slight Sense of the moral ones. You 
 know I am no Friend to Superstition, but coud worse 
 Effects flow from that even of Rome, than are to be 
 apprehended from the negligence and Indifference too 
 visible in the established Church. Can it be expected 
 that a proper regard to Religion will be long kept up 
 among the Vulgar by the appearance of it among them 
 one single Hour in the Week which is the Case of half 
 the Country Parishes in the Kingdom : Like this I 
 speak of. The Proprietor of the Estate never comes near 
 it and as one of his Tenants observd neither knows 
 nor cares whether there is a Church in it. He sold 
 the Living which consists intirely of Glebe, the Pur- 
 chaser considers how to make the best interest of his 
 
The Cumberland Letters 275 
 
 Money — reduces the Duty to once and that in the after- 
 noon, hires half a Curate who resides in the nearest 
 Market Town, who being barely paid for Sunday Duty 
 thinks himself under no Obligation to do more, arrives 
 dirty and fatigued at the ruined Edifice created by the 
 Pious Hands of long forgotten ancestors, now dis- 
 tinguished only by repeated Marks of the Rage of Refor- 
 mation and instead of inspiring awe and reverence by 
 the neatness of its Stile or the Richness of its Architecture 
 partakes more of the Filth and Dampness of a Dungeon 
 than a place of public Worship. Disfigured by a torn 
 and draggled Surplice he mounts the Desk and labours 
 to edify the yearning Souls by reading the stated Ser- 
 vices, in the provincial Dialect perhaps of Antient 
 Brittain, renderd still less intelligible to his illiterate 
 [ ] by tropes and figures with which he en- 
 
 deavors to embellish it in his Sermon — or even at the 
 best all his Arguments unsupported by the irresistible 
 influence of Example. The task over he hastens home for 
 that refreshment which he is seldom invited to partake 
 of by any of his Flock, as they usually retaliate the 
 Vicars neglect of them on his half Starved Curate — an 
 Instance of this, I have heard mentiond in the late Curate 
 of the Village I have been speaking of, and coud not help 
 reminding some of the Farmers on their complaining of 
 Duty only once a Day, tho M^ Hall who had but ^20 
 a Year did it twice — ^Yes, says I, I have been told so 
 and in return'd You sufferd the poor Man to eat his 
 Dinner in the Church yard, for want of being asked into 
 any of your Houses. They coud not deny it. — After 
 all I am sensible that the Fault lies at our own Door, 
 and that all this might be rectified in great Measure by 
 the zealous Care of the Clergy, but however easy it may 
 be to keep things in their Place and prevent their de- 
 gener[ating], every Man is not qualified for a Reformer, 
 and where [neglejct of Religious Things has once taken 
 root [it] is not [easily rejmoved. 
 
 Mrs. Cumberland's satisfaction with her stay at 
 Richmond was, after all, but short-lived. On January 
 
276 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 the 28th Richard reported " a Line from Richmond 
 in the usual complaining Stile, by which I perceive she 
 is already tired of the place, and wishes to come back." 
 That she should return to Driffield as to a permanent 
 home was not his intention : 
 
 in the Way of a Visit My House shall at all Times and 
 as long as she pleases be at her service and I will do all 
 in my power to make it agreeable to her, but then she 
 will have a home to retire to as soon as it grows other- 
 wise. I set too much value on my health and Character 
 and peace of Mind to wish to have them disturb'd by 
 the familiar contests of which you have lately had a 
 specimen — I wish to love and honour, as well as to assist 
 my Parent and to do this a proper Distance is absolutely 
 necessary. ... I am happy in my present Situation 
 I have leisure to correct my Faults and make Good 
 Resolutions without being in Danger of Breaking them 
 by sudden Gusts of Passion, excited perhaps by triffles 
 but in some Tempers more easily avoided than supprest. 
 An accidental Circumstance has procured me these 
 Comforts [this phrase, I think, must signify that Mrs. 
 Cumberland had, of her own motion, expressed a wish 
 to give up residing altogether at Driffield] and am deter- 
 mined if possible to make them lasting, in which I flatter 
 myself with your assistance — but, at the same Time wish 
 to do it with as much Tenderness and Delicacy as the 
 Case will admit. I have wrote her a long Letter with a 
 good account of myself, but taken no Notice of that Part 
 of hers in which she talked of returning as I coud not 
 bear to give her pain by a denial . . . you must acknow- 
 ledge that the Situation she is in, is by far the best for 
 her, at least for the Winter, as it will afford Time and 
 Opportunity for settling her Affairs in such a Manner 
 as may give Us all Satisfaction. Not that I have any 
 Objection to make up her Income a clear 50^^^ ^q com- 
 mence immediately and the sooner it is done the better, 
 but you know her way of thinking and the less we make 
 her feel the Obligation the better. You own the Family 
 
The Cumberland betters 277 
 
 are glad to have her with them, and if they find no fault 
 with her peculiarities, never mind them once a week or 
 less, especially as they see no mixed Company, and she 
 is far from the greatest Oddity in that House. For 
 herself I have no doubt she is as happy and as when she 
 was here she was continually regretting that she had 
 ever left London and complaining of the Place — so for the 
 rest of her Days she will do Driffield more than Justice. 
 
 That Mrs. Cumberland did, nevertheless, return 
 to Driffield, for a time at least, is evident from the letter 
 written by Richard immediately upon his home-coming 
 after a visit to London, in which he speaks of finding 
 " everything ... to my entire Satisfaction — our Mother 
 well and in Spirits." 
 
 " To-morrow," wrote Richard in the middle of April, 
 
 I am to couple an old Fellow of Sixty Seven to a Girl of 
 25. She lived Servant with Us last Summer and was 
 called Betty — but being an Anbaptist has taken advan- 
 tage of that Circumstance to be lately baptizd in the 
 Church by the Name of Mary to entitle herself to the 
 Reversion of 25^ left to her Intended and his Wife Mary, 
 whom I buried last Year. 
 
 In the same month came news to George of " poor 
 Cotton's fate." This young man, serving with his 
 regiment in India, seems to have been killed in battle. 
 George, helpful as usual, had been looking after some 
 property in Westminster, for the benefit of his mother 
 and sister. As usual, too, he was making new friends 
 and complaining th^t he had already more than he had 
 time to see. Among " my Male new acquaintances " 
 he enumerated Mr. Hoole, " treanslator of Ariosto." 
 Mr. " Micle," in whom, but for the mention of his 
 having translated the Lusiad, we might fail to recognise 
 Mickle, and Mr. Webber, who had accompanied Captain 
 Cook in his last voyage and had brought home drawings. 
 
2 78 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 In the middle of May his friend James Irvine (whom 
 George constantly calls Irwin) wrote from Rome an 
 account of the finding of an antique statue : 
 
 About a fortnight ago there was found a Statue of 
 a Quoiter which has made a great noise but is more 
 valuable on account of its singularity and fine preserva- 
 tion than the merit it possesses. I shall make a sketch 
 of it to give you some idea of the attitude. 
 
 The small sketch on the side of the letter shows Irvine 
 to have been a thoroughly competent draughtsman, 
 and the statue to have been that in which the head is 
 bent, the right arm raised and the left hand supported 
 on the knee. 
 
 It is quite compleat except the leg it stands on. The 
 sculpture is hard and meagre and as it appears at present 
 it is not in equilibrio : but perhaps the sculptor might 
 intend it so as he is in the act of throwing the discus. 
 That a man should put one hand on his knee while he was 
 going to throw with the other does not seem very plain 
 to me and the attitude altogether appears to be rather 
 forced. The left foot is bent under him and has a bad 
 effect. 
 
 A postscript is added, however : 
 
 Since I wrote the above account of the statue I have 
 seen it in the sculptor's study He has cleaned it and upon 
 a more exact survey I like it better, but it is, not yet 
 put upon its feet and the leg restored which will be the 
 time to see it properly. Adieu. 
 
 On May the 26th George reported that 
 
 For the present I have taken a Bed-room at Chelsea near 
 the Church, at the house of . . . M^s Carter's Father 
 whose wife is as good a woman as her daughter, and crams 
 me every night with Cream and Custards. I breakfast 
 with them in the Morne and get to Town either on foot, 
 by water, or in the Coach. 
 
The Cumberland Letters 279 
 
 But this is only for a little time — M^^ Carter is there 
 to recover her strength wh. has been much weakened 
 lately by her attendance on her Children and we spend 
 our time very agreeably as her Brother and sister, a young 
 Couple live very near and the Old Man has a good garden 
 that produces everything — this is a convenient situation 
 for me in many respects, as in going to it I have 4 or 5 
 Friends in the way that are always ready to [accompjany 
 me thro the Park or as far as Ranelagh [ ] can 
 easily trip over to Richmond and back [ ] a Sunday. 
 
 The visit of his cousin Mary seems to have awakened 
 Richard to the pleasure of a good and gentle young 
 woman's presence in his house, and before she came away 
 he had framed the hope of inducing her to return as his 
 wife. The fact that Mrs. Cumberland was fond of her 
 niece, and would probably have liked to have her as a 
 daughter-in-law, may have tended to favour the scheme. 
 While Mary was his guest Richard would have considered 
 it a breach of propriety to make her an offer of marriage, 
 but I imagine that he allowed his wishes to be per- 
 ceptible to her. 
 
 In August Miss Green wrote to George the letter 
 which appears next, and which shows that he must 
 this summer have made his long-promised visit to Bury 
 St. Edmunds. 
 
 I consider myself greatly your debtor for the last 
 obliging letter you sent me with the entertaining narra- 
 tive of your expedition into Wales — ^Your sweet little 
 picture of nature in her brightest colouring I was de- 
 lighted with, and wonder not at your sensations, such a 
 figure with native sensibility has the power of magick 
 over a heart like yours, you certainly have her picture, 
 and the next time we meet I hope to see it. To own 
 to you the truth, I was both hurt and offended at the 
 french leave you took of me — I had promised myself 
 your company the next day — and so few have been my 
 
28o The Cumberland Letters 
 
 days of happiness for these last six months that to lose 
 one which I had reckoned as my own was an actual 
 misfortune but your reason for doing it was just, and the 
 consequence of it fortunate — therefore I have nothing 
 now to say — 
 
 You may recollect our conversation during the walk 
 we took — the impression it made on me was strong — it 
 had long been my wish to quit home — but it was im- 
 possible to leave a mother who doated on me and a 
 sister whom I almost idolized, while I was sensible that 
 my services were necessary to them, and for them I 
 endured all the tyranny of my father and all the misery 
 and anxiety that his imprudencies occasioned, but 
 necessity at length enforces what had been so long my 
 desire — for my unhappy father with an encreased dis- 
 gust to his family but more particularly to his children — 
 has taken the dreadful resolution of disposing of all his 
 effects into ready money and sinking it in an annuity 
 for his own life — with the greatest difficulty he has been 
 prevailed on to take it for two lives — (his own and my 
 mothers) — cruel and unjust as it is to us, it was infinitely 
 more so to her, who is past the age to help herself — 
 to dispositions of softness and humanity this must seem 
 almost impossible — but he really appears perfectly 
 happy with the certainty of his income for life, and totally 
 unconcerned for the present or future situation of his 
 children — If they can agree — I believe my cousin M^ 
 Gedge takes his business — and as we cannot with pro- 
 priety but quit the house when my mother does tho not 
 with her, I pay a visit to Miss Browne and my sister to 
 another friend till we can determine what to do — there 
 is nothing left for us but to enter into the same employ- 
 ment as my eldest sisters — and for which purpose I have 
 written to her and to another friend — 
 
 To you I make no apology for this letter of my mis- 
 fortunes — I know your friendship for me and that I have 
 promised with the truth and confidence of a sister to 
 consult you — Adieu — I shall be happy to hear from you 
 soon — I want everything to enliven my sunk spirits — 
 
The Cumberland Letters 281 
 
 do not blame my weakness I am sorry for my want 
 of fortitude, but it is not in nature to support such 
 usage from him who should be our protection — and 
 to whom we have been accustomed to look up for every 
 want — Good night for I have written away day light, 
 and almost my eyesight — 
 
 Yrs., 
 
 S. Green. 
 Bury Aug, 31 1781. 
 
 P.S, When you have leisure to write, direct as usual. 
 
 M' Geo: Cumberland, 
 Driffelde, 
 
 near Cirencester, 
 
 Glocestershire. 
 
 Miss Green's affairs were not long in so unsettled a 
 condition ; within three weeks she wrote again to an- 
 nounce a decisive change in her plans. 
 
 You will wonder at again hearing from me in so short 
 a time, but as events the most important have followed 
 so close on each other I content myself with writing you 
 an account and imagining that you approve my actions 
 tho the distance between us, prevents the pleasure I 
 should have in consulting you — I hoped the business this 
 month at Ipswich would again have brought you into 
 Suffolk. — I should at this time have been particularly 
 happy if it had. You must remember your raillery 
 when here, little did I then imagine how very soon it 
 would be verified, in fact I was extremely hurt at your 
 want of confidence in my assertions, and supposing that 
 I would, in any case, tell you an untruth — ^These late 
 alterations in our affairs have brought on me, what I did 
 not wish at present to think of — and from the two 
 inhabitants in our house, M^ Gedge and M^ Docker — 
 I found the highest compliment, a woman can receive 
 — the first, I never even suspected — the last I could 
 not avoid knowing of, as for these two years he has paid 
 me a marked attention, and done for me and all our 
 
282 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 family every service in his power. The Principles and 
 disposition of M^ Docker I very much dislike, and I as 
 highly approve of M^ Gedges — but I did not love either 
 of them — and consequently as delicately as I could I 
 refused them both. — I have acknowledged to you my 
 first attachment — which, tho it no longer gives me any 
 uneasiness, yet it has left a somewhat upon my mind 
 that will I am persuaded prevent my ever being so 
 strongly attached again — Of course, whoever has en- 
 deavoured to make themselves agreeable to me, I could 
 — without being blinded by partiality, examine whether 
 their hearts and minds were such as I really thought 
 could make me happy — Gratitude has at length done 
 what apparently nothing else could — my cousins affec- 
 tionate and generous behavior to my mother in her 
 present distress, his disinterested conduct in agreeing 
 with my father, and his proposal to my sister of living 
 with us and providing for her, opened to me a plan of 
 happiness, that I could not have looked for in any other 
 situation — I firmly hope that what I have done is right 
 — let me hear from you once more and see you as often 
 in our lives as a journey to Bury will suit you — Adieu, 
 I ought not to conclude without warmly thanking you 
 for the pleasure I have enjoyed in our correspondence 
 and which to me, has been so highly beneficial. 
 
 With every kind wish that friendship and respect can 
 dictate, I remain unalterably yrs., 
 
 Bury 5^? 13., Sarah Green. 
 
 1781. 
 
 M^ Geo: Cumberland, 
 
 at the Rev<^ M' Breedons, 
 Bere Court, 
 
 near Pangbourn, 
 Berks. 
 
 George sent her a kind, almost an affectionate reply, 
 without a word of dissuasion or of apprehension, but to 
 his brother he wrote on the subject in a very different 
 strain. 
 
The Cumberland Letters 283 
 
 This day I had another Letter from Bury and S. G. 
 is by this time Marryd to her Cousin, — if you had seen 
 that Letter you would have been lost in admiration of 
 her conduct as I was — the nobleness of her Love never 
 appeard to me before, tho I knew much of her sense and 
 Judgment, and I have wrote her my last Letter, which 
 has this day wrung my heart, and made me curse that 
 susceptibility of friendship, which is perpetually leading 
 me into connections that are not to last beyond a few 
 years. 
 
 Such a sacrifice ! and yet I dare not forbid it, for I 
 dared not offer that which would render it unnecessary, 
 to mistaken notions she is a prey, I fear, and another is 
 added to the List of wives who marry for convenience, 
 and forget how inconvenient it is to live with people 
 whom they do not love — but I have acted in all my 
 correspondence with her in a manner so intirely to the 
 satisfaction of my conscience, that I ought to triump 
 altho uneasy at this event — my sensations are painful 
 but they are unmixed with reproach. 
 
 I hope, however, that Miss Green's marriage was a 
 happier one than George anticipated, and that her hus- 
 band continued to love her as much as she certainly 
 deserved to be loved. 
 
 This winter brought fresh unhappiness to the Balchen 
 family. It will be remembered that Mrs. Read, the 
 married sister, had died some time previously ; the 
 widower, after quarrelling about his late wife's fortune, 
 had married again, not, it would appear, wisely, had 
 become involved in financial difficulties and had now 
 disappeared from London. Mary Balchen at once took 
 charge of her little niece, and probably, since, as we know 
 from Richard's account of her that she was " passion- 
 ately fond of children," found happiness in doing so. 
 The next misfortune was a return of John's illness ; 
 he began to spit blood, and was sent under his sister's 
 
284 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 care — the only sister now — to Clifton, the '' hot Wells " 
 of our ancestors. Richard met them, saw them to 
 lodgings recommended by Miss Townsend, and was 
 constantly running over for a couple of days at a time. 
 He had now once more undertaken the instruction of a 
 pupil, but upon a different, and probably a more agreeable, 
 plan. " Mr Jos. Crips," of Cirencester, had expressed 
 a wish that his son might take lessons with the vicar 
 of Driffield, and Richard had repUed that he was not 
 intending to take any more pupils, but would be happy 
 " to see the young Gentleman on the footing of a 
 friend." My impression is that he had already refused 
 some other boys. How the matter was at last adjusted 
 does not appear, but it is certain that the lessons took 
 place and that Driffield was the scene of them. Richard 
 speaks several times of his pupil, always in terms of high 
 praise. The lad was fifteen, and " a promising youth," 
 who in later years fulfilled the promise. His lessons 
 began early in the year 1782, and he must have ridden 
 out regularly through cold and dismal weather to the 
 vicarage. 
 
 On April the 12th Richard wrote from Clifton : 
 
 our Cousins are settled much to their Satisfaction, 
 and think both have received benefit from the Air and 
 Waters, but especially John who has had no return 
 of his Complaint and is in much better Spirits, but still 
 languid and incapable of bearing Fatigue. 
 
 The young man himself was not patient enough to 
 stay very long, but went back sooner than was prudent 
 to London and to office work. Before long he was failing 
 again, and Richard's entreaty that he would come to 
 Driffield was successful. John seems to have liked the 
 place and to have been happy with his cousin, whose 
 manners, I suspect, were calm and soothing ; better 
 
The Cumberland Letters 285 
 
 reports soon began to be sent, and as the weeks went on 
 John became strong enough to share in the cheerful, 
 neighbourly gaieties that the young vicar loved. 
 
 The letters o£ this and the next two years are so 
 much out of order that it is not easy to follow the course 
 of events very certainly, and by ill-luck it is precisely 
 those which do not mention any public incident, by which 
 they might be fixed, that are undated. It must, however, 
 I think, have been in the spring of this year that George 
 wrote a letter from " one of Lord Spencer's Benches " 
 at " Wimbleton," and described the rural aspect of 
 places now long since covered by bricks and mortar. 
 He has admired 
 
 Battersea Field, rich as North Holland in verdure , . . 
 the Rye 2 foot high, and Pease almost in blossom, were 
 pleasant to begin with. But when I came to the enclosures 
 beyond them coverd with apple. Senna, and white 
 Laylocks, the scene improved. Crossing Wandsworth 
 a green shady lane brought me to Garratt and the Cooper 
 Mills with torrents of water washing thro the Locks — 
 a Shady lane again reached this Place, and since Church 
 having dined alone on a Shoulder of Veal, Leg of Pork, 
 Rice Pudding, Gooseberry Pye and Sallad (for one 
 ShilUng only my eating, which I think beats all I have 
 heard of French ordinaries). 
 
 A friend of George's, however, who visited the Lakes, 
 a month or two later, reported a meal even more cheap 
 and copious : 
 
 our Dinner consisted of Veal Pie, Ham, Hung Beef, 
 Peas, Goosberry Tart, Bread, Cheese, Butter, Ale and 
 Pint of Port, and Hay for Horses, for which we were 
 charged 3/6. 
 
 This for a party of three men and their three horses ! 
 About a week after his jaunt to " Wimbleton " 
 
286 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 George had a very different tale to tell. His mother 
 and he were both ill in consequence of the bad weather, 
 and he declared with manifest inaccuracy that a dry 
 day had not been seen " this two months." 
 
 You would think if you were here that a plague had swept 
 away the inhabitants, as the streets are remarkably thin, 
 and not a family in which there are not two or three 
 ill in Bed — ^yet I do not hear it has killed any body yet, 
 tho I make no doubt it will if the weather continues bad, 
 as those who are just recoved go out and contract fresh 
 Colds. . . . Adieu I write only to say I am alive. 
 
 Richard and John (still a guest at Driffield, and re- 
 ported in every letter as gaining health) made a little tour 
 together in the last days of July, and on August the ist 
 an account of it was despatched to George. 
 
 On Sunday we rode to Cheltenham . . . went to the 
 public Breakfast next Morning, met with the Prescots 
 there and above a Hundred People besides, thence through 
 Tewkesbury to Worcester, the neatest City I have seen 
 a great while, from thence to Bromsgrove, where being the 
 second Day of the Races, we dined with the County 
 Members and about 40 more at the Ordinary, went to 
 the Races in the Afternoon, and through a beautiful 
 Country to Birmingham, a Town almost entirely new 
 built and containing near 50000 Inhabitants but in 
 general little better than Spittal Fields, the Houses 
 being run up in a slight irregular Manner, on short 
 Leases, we were extremely entertained with Clay's 
 Manufactory of Japan and Buttons and some others, 
 dined with my old Friend James, who accompanied us 
 to the Theatre equal in Elegance to Covent Garden 
 within and far Superior to any other Theatre without, 
 indeed this and the new Church are the only buildings 
 worth attention. Next Morning we took leave of 
 Birm™ and rode to the Leasowes, which is fully equal to 
 the Description given by Dodsley and pleases me more 
 than anything of the kind I ever saw ... I never wished 
 
The Cumberland Letters 287 
 
 more for Your Company in my life than during our 
 Walk. An Hour's Ride carried us to Hagley, the Seat of 
 the late Lord Littleton. The Prospects from the Park 
 are beyond Description, and the ground being irregular 
 varys them continuelly we spent three very agreeable 
 Hours here and then rode to Kidderminster, a fine 
 Country, all the Way and got to Worcester that Night. 
 We found the city crouded with Company, at the 
 Assizes, but got excellent Accommodations after Break- 
 fast rode to Malvern, a public waters place, on the side of 
 a range of the most romantic Hills imaginable, immensely 
 high and commanding a fine Country — dined at the 
 Ordinary with a very genteel Party of Gentleman and 
 Ladies, who all live in Houses near Buxton and dine 
 together — Slept [ j at Gloster and home next Day, 
 
 perfectly pleased [ ] Expedition in every Re- 
 
 spect. 
 
 The little difference of interpretation and consequent 
 disappointment that arose over a request from George 
 that his brother would bespeak horses at Gloucester to 
 be reserved at the end of July for himself, Mr. Charles 
 Long and a servant can be read clearly enough in George's 
 letter of the beginning of August. 
 
 Aug 7. 1782. 
 
 Dear Richard, 
 
 I am extremely sorry that my two last letters 
 should have occasiond you so much trouble and dis- 
 apointment — the latter I share with you, for I find after 
 all the pains I have taken that it will be impossible for 
 me to accomplish the journey on various accounts : — 
 which repeated disapointment will I believe cure me 
 of ever attempting any scheme which includes above 
 two days, and since like the Galley Slave I share his punish- 
 ments, without his crimes, and am condemned to tug at 
 an oar all my life, I will endeavour to mortify my mind 
 to my circumstances, and never look beyond my miserable 
 Dungeon — (" somewhat too much of this ") — ^What 
 
288 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 expenses you have been at, let me know and I will pay 
 you with thanks — but how in the name of common sense 
 came you or my Mother to think of seeing us at Driffelde, 
 after I had repeatedly told you both that it was incom- 
 patible with my scheme, may I appeal to the Miss 
 Timbrells if I did not tell them at parting that I should 
 not see Driffelde this year, but would get you, or their 
 Brother, to hire horses to meet us at Glocester, in 
 order that we might not lose a moment of time, as my 
 scheme was extended to 400 miles at least in Wales, and 
 I did not know if I could have a month to execute it 
 in — 
 
 But it seems, I am destined never to be understood, for 
 which I can no other wise account, than by supposing 
 it is absurd and singular, to keep ones word, and never 
 break an engagement, which I pride myself in saying 
 / never did in my life with any created beings even in the 
 minutest trifle. 
 
 The reason I did not write before, I gave in my last, 
 but you seem incapable of conceiving how a man can be 
 so engaged as not to have time to write a Letter, — 
 Shenstone said " it was the apology of a Shoemaker 
 with 6 children " — but you should remember I am 
 more employd than a shoemaker, and have 60. 
 
 Thank you for your account of your expenditure — 
 I made one to assist a friend who was to be tried by a 
 court martial — Got into the Gravesend boat Friday 
 eveng. saved tide at Rochester by the coach 3 o clock 
 breakfasted with some officers going on board same ship 
 (the Rainbow at Nore) 9 got into the Chatham boat had 
 a charming sail up Medway to Sheerness, got a luncheon 
 walked round the lines and embarked on same boat 
 with the officers and a fair wind for Nore, on board 
 by 2 o clock, found my friend i^t Lieut* honourably 
 acquitted, by a Court of Enquiry who blamed the 
 Captain (Trollope) playd at Backgammon with the 
 Surgeon and romped with the Officers Girls till 2 in the 
 morns slept in a Cot in the Gun room, jumpt out af the 
 stern Post at 7 morns into a tumbUng Sea, scrambled 
 
The Cumberland Letters 289 
 
 in again by the help of a Rope, spent the morns in viewing 
 the ship which is the only frigate in the Navy that carries 
 Carronades of 68 pounds in her lower Deck 60 above, 
 afterwards saw the horrid form of whipping a deserter 
 who came along side from the admiral to receive 60 
 lashes attended with 4 armed boats, he had reced that 
 day 190 and the Surgeon on examination declared him 
 incapable of suffering any more, thus we were relieved, 
 and sat down to our Roast Beef et^ jolly — at 4 a Chat am 
 vessel came along side and we parted (Stotherd and I) 
 from our friends, a heavy squall helped us, and we ran 
 Gunwhale under all the way to Sheerness, 8 miles, 
 enterd the Medway and got to Chatham 9 o clock, slept 
 at Bull Rochester Monday walked to Dartford thro the 
 villages 18 miles slept at Carringtons, and Tuesday 
 morns, got into the London stage at 6 o clock and 
 arrived safe at 10 in the borough — God save the King ! 
 
 Adieu Yours, 
 
 G. Cumberland. 
 
 Revd Mr Cumberland, 
 Driffelde near 
 
 Cirencester, 
 
 Glocestershire. 
 
 The next letter brings us into close touch with a 
 catastrophe not yet forgotten. Richard Cumberland 
 and his cousin John Balchen, both hereditarily connected, 
 by many links, with the Royal Navy, took an expedition 
 to view the Fleet before its sailing. On August the 
 29th Richard wrote from Portsmouth to his brother : 
 
 I told you in my last we had thought of an Expedition 
 hither and set out for that purpose last Sunday Evening. 
 — ^we got to Winchester the next Day thro an exceeding 
 fine Country, visited the French Prison &c, thence to 
 Dyers at Bishopstoke who accompanied us to Southamp- 
 ton — After Dinner took a Cutter and Sailed to the Isle 
 of Wt. with a brisk Gale 16 Miles in an Hour and 40 m. 
 Slept at Cowes and viewed the Island as far as our Legs 
 
^9o The Cumberland Letters 
 
 woud carry us — thence next Morning in the Passage 
 with good Company to this Place crossed to Gosport 
 and called on M' CoUins — only his Brother at home. — 
 next walked round the Yard — an astonishing Exhibition 
 indeed in the Afternoon took a Wherry and went aboard 
 the Royal George at Spithead — as being one of the finest 
 Ships in the Fleet, we met with the most civil Behavior 
 from the Officers ; who shewed us every Part worth 
 seeing, introduced us to each other in their little Births 
 and were very communicative — we took notice of the 
 number of Women on Board and they assured us there 
 were above 200 and near double the number of Men. 
 
 At this period, when the Navy was largely recruited 
 by force, seamen were not permitted to go ashore 
 when their ship was in port, and wives who wished to see 
 their husbands had to go to them on board. 
 
 We were above an Hour seeing everything and then 
 returnd to our Boat and thro a rough Sea to the Point 
 — in the Evening we went to the Theatre the worst of 
 Strollers — the Boxes full of naval and military Officers 
 with Ladies of the Ton [town ?] and we frequently 
 heard and saw their rough Salutes This Morning we 
 strolled round Works at the Camp off Spithead and whilst 
 talking with an Officer saw two Guns fired from the 
 Men of War, which he observed was previous to their 
 sailing as [ ] waited to see them under Way we walked to 
 South Sea Castle and found a number of People on the 
 Battery eagerly looking at the Fleet — They told us a large 
 Ship had just founderd and shewed us the mizen and main 
 Masts lying sloping out of the Water and a croud of 
 Boats busy about them with the help of a Glass I dis- 
 tinguished a blue Flag at the Mizen Mast, yet we flatterd 
 ourselves it was only a Transport — we returnd to the 
 Camp with the melancholly News and before we reached 
 Portsmouth were shocked with a confirmation of its 
 being the Royal George admiral Keppenfelt and scarce 
 a Man saved. You cannot think how much we were 
 
 ( ( 
 
The Cumberland Letters 291 
 
 affected. It was the identical Ship in which we had begun 
 to take an Interest — the genteel treatment we had met 
 with on the preceeding Evening — the more than possibiHty 
 o£ our having delayd our visit till this Morning or perhaps 
 renewed it and the recollection of every Face we had 
 seen on Board struck us at once — we walked to the Point 
 and came up just as they had brought one of the poor 
 Fellows on shore and were rolling him on a Barrel in his 
 wet cloaths and in the Rain — we thrust ourselves among 
 the Mob and made them carry him to the next tavern 
 assisted in pulling off his Cloaths procured warm Blankets 
 and pursued the methods recommended by the Society 
 [Richard's propaganda on behalf of the Society for re- 
 covering the apparently drowned will be recollected] 
 — but they were applied too late — finding him in good 
 Hands and hearing other Bodies were brought ashore, we 
 went out and found a Woman in the same Condition 
 on the Shore and no one attempting to do any thing to 
 save her. We orderd them to take her up and follow us 
 into another public House, where we shut out the Mob 
 and put the People on the same method of Treatment, 
 before the Fire whilst a warm Bed was got ready — 
 with great difficulty I made them persevere in the fric- 
 tions, fumigations &c and left Balchen to see it continued, 
 a person coming in and saying that a Man was just carried 
 into a House with signs of Life. It was a Distillers I got 
 in with diflSculty through the Croud and saw two 
 Bodies a Man and a Woman lying on the Stone Hearth 
 without any Fire. I applied to the Master of the House 
 for a Fire and Blankets and had they been applied in 
 Time, think it woud have been successful as he was the 
 stoutest made Man I have seen — I next procured proper 
 assistance at another House for the Woman and no means 
 were left untried, but in vain and after the greatest 
 exertion I ever made for two Hours had the Mortification 
 of only leaving the Bodies in a more decent Situation 
 than I found them — after making the People Amends 
 for their trouble I returnd to our Inn, and found Balchen 
 there as much Fatigued as Myself. The careless In- 
 
292 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 difference, to call it no Worse, of the generallity- of 
 People here on this truly mournful Occasion has given 
 me a worse opinion of Human Nature than ever. I had 
 before been Witness of such Scenes of Debauchery as 
 are not to be paralleled in any part of London. From 
 Seven in the Morning till Night the Streets swarm with 
 common women of the most abandond Cast, Gosport 
 is if anything worse still. In every other respect they are 
 tolerable good Towns and together with the publick 
 Buildings, Fortifications, Camps and Fleet have a beauti- 
 ful Appearance from the Sea. Being disappointed of a 
 vessel to Southamton, we are going there in the Coach to 
 Night — I just hear — the Captain and above lOO Men were 
 saved, but the Admiral is lost. The Occasion of this 
 Calamity is said to be this. The Cock which communi- 
 cated with the Pump wanting Repair they had hove all 
 her Guns out on the opposite Side to careen — when a 
 slight squall of Wind taking her, the Sea washed in at 
 her lower Tier and she went down instantly. A Vic- 
 tualling Cutter along side went with her, the master of 
 which saved himself and the captain on a Hencoop, 
 the latter leaping out of the Stern Gallery into the Sea. 
 The Tide was strong and most of the Boats to leeward 
 or more might have been picked up. I cannot help 
 mentioning a Circumstance that has since made me smile. 
 It was the False Delicacy of the Point Ladies at the 
 publick House we were in — who coud not be persuaded 
 to strip and rub the Bodies till a clean Shift had been 
 procured and then their Lamentations over them were 
 curious indeed — One of the poor Creatures left two 
 Children at Gosport, the other lost one from her Arms. 
 Very few of the Women were saved being below Decks — 
 many of them Sailors Wives who kept a little Market 
 on Board. Whether considered in a publick or private 
 light, few greater Calamities have ever happend, where 
 there was so little reason to expect any Danger. It has 
 made a strong Impression on me that will not wear off 
 for some Time. Don't send any Extracts from this to 
 the Morning Post as it is wrote in a hurry and I cannot 
 
The Cumberland Letters 293 
 
 be certain as to the Numbers lost &c You will have a 
 better account in the Papers. 
 
 There is no allusion in his letter to the even greater 
 catastrophe o£ the loss of the Victory ^ thirty-eight years 
 earlier, in which the great-uncle (as I suppose) of Richard 
 and of his cousin had gone down, but it must inevitably 
 have been recalled to the memories of all the family, 
 and Richard must surely have thought of his uncle, 
 John Cumberland, blown up at sea, with the vessel of 
 which he was in command. 
 
 Richard, his mother being now away from Driffield, 
 resolved to spend the winter months in lodgings in Ciren- 
 cester, and I presume, to shut up the vicarage. He 
 mentioned that he paid 7s. weekly for " one of the best 
 Lodgings in Ciceter," so that his change of residence 
 cannot have been a great extravagance, and he certainly 
 found himself less solitary. 
 
 It is impossible to pass one's time more agreeably or 
 more innocently than I do at present in well mixed 
 Circles — I studiously avoid all Clubs except one for new 
 Publications which I have set on foot myself — and never 
 want a Book to read — a Friend to chat with or an Object 
 to draw me abroad. The Ladies condescend to visit 
 me at my Rooms, and that is more than I expected in 
 a Market Town. [The term " Market Town " signified, 
 in the vocabulary of both brothers, a hot-bed of gossip.] 
 
 Another removal, in which we may be sure that George 
 was an active helper, had taken place some months earlier, 
 when Mrs. Mole and Miss Sarah Cumberland estabhshed 
 themselves at No. 1 1 Old London Street, Fenchurch Street. 
 The house must have been demolished ; but one or two 
 contemporaries remain sufficiently unchanged to suggest 
 the kind of flat- fronted Georgian house in which the two 
 elderly women lived among the well-made and often 
 
294 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 beautiful household appointments of that day. " They 
 have a comfortable house," wrote George, " but it lays 
 terribly out of my road, as I have not been three times 
 to the bottom of that Street this twelve month." 
 
 Mrs. Mole did not live to enjoy her new abode very 
 long. In the month of December she died, and her will 
 altered the whole course of George Cumberland's life. 
 She left ;^6oo a year and the Old London Street house 
 (probably leasehold) to Sarah Cumberland, and as far as I 
 can comprehend his letter to his brother, the rest of her 
 property was to be divided among three executors, of 
 whom George was one. He expected that each would 
 receive about ^^300 a year when all claims were paid. 
 From other letters it rather appears as though there were 
 some additional bequest to George personally, but 
 about this point I am not certain. 
 
 A nephew of Mrs. Mole's immediately disputed the 
 will and took proceedings to get it set aside, whereby 
 George was kept out of possession for two years. The 
 prospect of being able to escape from the Insurance 
 Office, of which he had long been heartily tired, led him 
 to the imprudence of mentioning to some of his col- 
 leagues the probability of his resignation ; there ensued 
 — or he believed so — machinations to obtain the rever- 
 sion of his office at once. The precise details are not easy 
 to follow in the absence of the Company's records, but 
 a letter from Richard shows the general position. 
 
 On my return last Saturday from a Visit of three days 
 at Fairford I found yours of Two sheets on my Table — 
 I am pleased with the Freedom with which you give 
 and ask advice — and have Reason to be pleased as the 
 advantage of the Exchange is so much in my Favour. 
 I do not think you have much reason to be alarmed at 
 Bells malicious Conduct, as there appears but little 
 
The Cumberland Letters 295 
 
 Danger of his succeeding in his Designs against you — 
 and yet situated as you are, you cannot be too Cautious 
 in your Conduct. Shoud you (as you hint) resign to 
 prevent the Disgrace of being superceded, before you 
 are in actual possession of your Fortune, it woud be 
 attributed to the Impatience of a mind too much elated 
 with the Prospect of newly acquired wealth, and every 
 Delay of Possession, much more a vexatious litigation, 
 woud be more severely felt — what I woud wish you to 
 do in this Case is to act precisely,/or the -present^ as if you 
 were wholly dependant on your office, and had neither 
 Genius nor Fortune to set you above it, and then you 
 will have little Room to fear what Bell may attempt to 
 disappoint you, as I am much mistaken if your Interest 
 among the people you have to deal with is not stronger 
 than ever, now you stand less in need of it. 
 
 I am glad to find you have a warm and steady Friend 
 in Charles — ^his Intelligence will be of use to you in the 
 affair and two such Heads as yours, may surely undermine 
 all their plots and stratagems. 
 
 Since writing the above I have received another 
 Letter from you on the same subject — and as far as I 
 can judge from the slight sketch you give, must own I 
 think certain people have been more hasty than they 
 seem to be warranted in presuming you woud resign, 
 and making Interest to succeed you and have thereby 
 drawn from you a premature declaration to which they 
 were by no means entitled. Would it not have been 
 more prudent to conceal your Intentions, till you were 
 enabled to put them in practice, and perhaps have an 
 opportunity of making a conditional resignation in 
 Favour of your Friend — or to have waited till Bell had 
 first given up and quitted as Secretary — but this you 
 are best judge of — only let me entreat you not to run 
 the slightest risk of quitting a Certainty for an uncer- 
 tainty — With regard to M^ Cross' Business, instead of 
 throwing it wholly up, might you not have retained it 
 in favour of my Mother, as was once proposed, during 
 her Life — as you will most probably pass part of the Year 
 
296 l^he Cumberland Letters 
 
 in Town and have no other Employment — or been your- 
 self Security and got it done by proxy ? There is some- 
 thing in M^ Cross' behavior on this occasion that .hurts 
 me extremely — he seems to think you are now utterly 
 spoiled for a Dependant, and too much of a Gentleman 
 to be fit for his Service — but this he might have discovered 
 long ago — How thankful shoud we be that we are neither 
 of us obliged to bow Down and do Homage to such a 
 Man who can hesitate to serve a Relation, in a material 
 Point for fear of offending against punctilio — Apropos 
 — Have you any Interest with L^^ Thurlow or do you 
 know any one that has — ^The Living of Ampney Crucis 
 adjoining to Harnhill with about 80^^ ^nd in the Chan- 
 cellors Gift is just vacated, by the death of D' Sandford, 
 now as He is going out of office, and has a number of 
 Livings to dispose of — why might not your humble 
 Servant stand as good a chance as another — If He was 
 not so strange a Character, M^ James is surely entitled 
 to ask for such a thing. I have a mind to write to him 
 about it — Your Friend L^^ Clarendon is I fear in the 
 opposite Party. Tell me what you think of it and shoud 
 you see M^ James mention it to him — it will come better 
 from you than me and I wish you woud call on him for 
 that Purpose — but there is no time to be lost, and as the 
 Preferment is of little value unless to a Person who has 
 something contiguous, who knows what a proper appU- 
 cation might do — It is tenable with my own and indeed 
 with any thing being under value. How is Dick Cumber- 
 land situated with respect to the Chancellor. 
 
 I have had a kind Letter from my Mother and will 
 answer it in a day or two — I am glad the multiplicity 
 of your Concerns have no effect on your Temper — pray 
 dont let them injure your Health and you may bid De- 
 fiance to them all. Adieu. 
 
 R. D. C. 
 
 M^ Geo: Cumberland, 
 
 No. I Church Court, 
 
 Clements Lane, Lombard Street, 
 London. 
 
The Cumberland Letters 297 
 
 Whether this letter of Richard's preceded one of 
 George's, dated on February the 6th5 I cannot be sure. 
 He wrote : 
 
 Now I know you want News, I can tell you none about 
 my affairs, and next to the vexation of the Law's delay 
 is the perpetual enquiries of well meaning friends — 
 they are so kind as to be always reminding me of what 
 I want not to think of — I jog on easy and secure till 
 their apprehensions make me fret at delay — and why 
 should I fret at what I cannot accelerate, once for all 
 believe no tales, our cause is clear, and we must submit 
 as other people have done to the Delays of Legal forms 
 — Mary is gone to Pottrills. 
 
 Whether this is a local or a personal name I cannot tell 
 at all ; in any case, Mary had gone to join her brother. 
 
 John wrote me word he is better, but M^ Balchen told 
 me to day that he does not think he can live. He is 
 going at last to Spain with Harrison — may it succeed. 
 Mother is as well as usual but seems to Miss the Company 
 of Mary, with her cheerful letters, your last made her cry. 
 
 John Balchen's proposed voyage is explained in a 
 letter from himself : 
 
 my Apothecary here advises another Climate ; and 
 the peace being at length arrived M^ Tapp has an inti- 
 mate Friend Captain of a Ship that is going to Cadiz 
 (the New Betsey ; Carbin) and a M^ Harrison who once 
 lived with M^ T. and was afterwards his Factor at 
 Cadiz is coming from Ostend to go with Captain Carbin 
 to Spain. 
 
 Mrs. Cumberland was at this time established in 
 lodgings near to the Balchens at Newington, and had 
 made and unmade as many arrangements before finally 
 coming thither as before her original departure for 
 Driffield, so that George had been kept going to and fro 
 with messages to the people of the house. 
 
298 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 The news of his approaching prosperity brought him 
 some annoyances. Letters appear from two friends 
 who desired to borrow money of him, and a draft 
 reply to one of them, in which he said : 
 
 Will you believe me when I tell you that since 
 I have been supposed to be Worth any Money in the 
 world (for when I lent you that trifle you mention it 
 was all I had) I have had so many applications for it 
 that had I complied with them all I should now have 
 been considerably involved and after all I have not yet 
 touched i/- but have been considerably out of pocket. 
 
 In March George was informing his brother that 
 
 at present, in order that I may enjoy the moment, 
 which you know is my Maxim, I try to forget that any 
 alteration has taken place — Our situation there [i.e. 
 at Doctors' Commons, even more dilatory, doubtless, 
 in 1783 than in the days when Messrs. Spenlow and 
 Jorkins practised] is just as it was and must be till a 
 certain set of forms are gone through, but our Title 
 is so undoubtedly good, both from our own knowledge 
 and the opinion of the learned, that I have no appre- 
 hensions — however should our Cable give way. You may 
 expect a pensioner, for I shall certainly petition for leave 
 to come and inhabit the Harnel [Harnhill] house and beg 
 permission to set a few Potatoes in the garden, and to 
 feed a few Tame fowls in the close. Transporting 
 Myself and all my little moveables there, and once a 
 Year going to town on foot to sell the annual products 
 of my Pen and Pencil. 
 
 Mr. Gooch's last letter to George — which greatly 
 irritated its recipient, and drew from him very scornful 
 comments — was written in April of this year. 
 
 Boston A^pril 29. 1783. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 the agreeable sound of Peace haveing reach'd 
 our shores, and restrained the sword from longer de- 
 
The Cumberland Letters 299 
 
 ludging the soil of America with Blood and adding to the 
 fertility of her Fields by the manure of Foreign Carcases, 
 affords me the happy opportunity to re commence a 
 Correspondence that has so long been interupted by 
 the malignant Dispute a Correspondence I shall always 
 endeaver to Cultivate with the greatest attention you 
 no doubt concluded in such a War no man of Spirit could 
 remain an idle Spectator he must be active on one side 
 or other, I naturally and from a principall of Duty I was 
 conceous [ ] Country joind the American 
 
 standard and altho I have sufferd greatly from the 
 Wounds I have received in several severe conflicts I 
 have still been happy in reaping some small harvest of 
 honor and ever met the approbation and fav' of our 
 amiable Commander in Chief whose name by the faith- 
 full Historian will adorn the most shining pages of 
 History and be transmitted to lattest Posterity with 
 the most Brilliant Character — To know him is to Love 
 him — the Cause and efect are inseparable — 
 
 I am sometimes ready to conclude to visit your side 
 the Attalantic as my Physicians tell me the sea may 
 tend to restore my health which has been greatly impaird 
 by wounds and the fatigues of a Camp the Wounds 
 are not yet all well and I suppose my face will be much 
 disfigur'd but that can give no great pain as it never was 
 an handsome one. 
 
 M^s Gooch has been very unhappy in not hearing from 
 you in so long a time we have wrote several Letters 
 but never recived but one from you she is very anctious 
 to hear from you and especially from her Aunt Sally, 
 M^s Gooch's health is far from being in a good state but 
 I hope the Return of Spring and a Journey will reinstate 
 it M^s Marriott is living and in joys a Tolerable good 
 share of health. 
 
 All kind of Business is at present at a Stand but must 
 soon revive and in all probabillity this part of the World 
 will share largely of the general Commerce and of 
 Consequence grow immencly rich, and we must adopt 
 the Policy of improving our Commerce by the cultivation 
 
300 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 of the Olive Branch and we are under no obligations from 
 any alliance we have Contracted of ever being concern'd 
 in any future War as they are wholly Commercial and 
 it will always be for the Interest of America to form no 
 other, an Interest it is the Wish and hope of every 
 American may always be adher'd to in all her future 
 engagements. 
 
 In all probabillity there will again commence a large 
 intercourse between the two Nations in the Com- 
 mercial Way though not so large as formerly as our trade 
 for a Number of years having been thrown into diferent 
 channells where meeting with every indulgence and 
 Reaping large profitts will Remain irrevocably fixd 
 at least a very considerable part of it — At present I'm 
 undetermin'd wether to enter into trade or retire wholly 
 from business and Live on a plantation but Pm in no 
 hurry to determine as I expect to be able to form a 
 Proper Judgment of things when aiflEairs are a Little 
 more settled but I imagine I shall enter into the Euro- 
 pean trade and perhaps take up my residence in the 
 Vicinity of New York where I have a plantation hower 
 if that shall happen I shall give you an early intimation 
 of it in the meantime must earnestly intreat you to 
 Write M^s Gooch by first opportunity and let her know 
 how all her Friends are especially her Aunt Sally She 
 joins with in most respectfull Comp*s to yr. Mother 
 Bro^ and Her Aunt Sally and remain with sincer Wishes 
 for your health and happiness, 
 
 Your affectionate 
 
 and most obed. Servant, 
 
 John Gooch. 
 
 P.S. Please to give my Respectfull Compos to M^ 
 Copley and his Bro^ M^ Jon^ Clark if you are acquainted 
 with them. 
 
 M^ George Cumberland, 
 
 Insurance Office Royal Exchange, 
 London. 
 
 At about the same date George was writing with great 
 
The Cumberland Letters zo\ 
 
 exasperation, to give a further account of their young 
 cousin's affairs : 
 
 John was going abroad, all settled and the Passage 
 even agreed on, when M^ T. came down to demand his 
 final determination, his wavering spirits here failed him 
 and he refused to go. He was taken at his word con- 
 trary to mary's entreaties and no time allowed to recal 
 the resolution. 
 
 Shortly afterwards George had met the brother and 
 sister at his mother's lodgings, and 
 
 John declared with vehemence that it was not his fault 
 he did not go abroad, as he did everything in his power 
 to accomplish it, but that M' T. had been with the 
 apothecary who seemed not to approve it, and added 
 that if he lived till the autumn and got better, he would 
 get himself pressed as a common Sailor sooner than stay 
 another Year in this country. 
 
 George hereupon interviewed Dr. Smith — is this our 
 old acquaintance, Mr. Smith, of Camberwell and of 
 Guy's Hospital ? — and tried to get Mr. Tapp to meet 
 him, but the latter came to the appointment too late. 
 Dr. Smith advised the voyage, but when George repeated 
 his opinion, Mr. Tapp " remarked that it was a family 
 disorder, that nothing could save him, and appeared 
 averse to the measure — adding that most likely Mary 
 would soon go too." 
 
 Whether Mr. Tapp had learned more precisely than 
 George the total hopelessness of John Balchen's case, 
 or whether John was robbed of his last chance by the 
 ill-timed dictation of his uncle, no one can now declare. 
 Less than three weeks later George wrote to Driffield, 
 to announce that 
 
 on Saturday last at 6 o' clock poor John died in his Sisters 
 
302 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 arms — who has been very ill ever since tho prepared for 
 what was to happen. — I wish you would come to Town 
 on this occasion, as it is a very critical time indeed and you 
 may judge from your own observations — Mary it is 
 hardly thought will live — but if she does she is to be 
 taken to Hackney — for security and preservation. M^ T. 
 said if she left her mother she could not go anywhere 
 but to him with propriety — ^this I denied as she was of 
 an age to live anywhere with reputation. It is rather 
 remarkable that I dreamt I saw him dying the evening 
 he died — and that he recommended Mary and his neice 
 to my protection — ^When I told M^ T. this, he said, 
 they were taken care of that he had been present at 
 making his will when he had left what he possessed 
 between his Mother, Sister and Neice — with legacies to 
 Himself, M^^ Tapp, M^ Crowley and his two Cousins 
 Richard and George. . . . But come to Town, if possible, 
 you may be a comfort to Mary, and it will be respectful 
 to John's memory. 
 
 But Richard, having not long before offered himself 
 to Mary and been refused, thought that his coming 
 up would be liable to misinterpretation and remained 
 in Gloucestershire. 
 
 In June a crisis arrived in George's business affairs. 
 The secretaryship of the Royal Exchange Assurance 
 Company was becoming vacant in July, and he felt that 
 the succession to this post ought, in justice, to be his. 
 He intended, indeed, to retire whenever he should enter 
 into possession of Mrs. Mole's bequest, but there was a 
 possibility that the decision of the court might deprive 
 him of that possession, in which event he would remain 
 as secretary in the Company's service. Under any 
 secretary promoted over his head he was not minded 
 to remain, whatever his financial circumstances ; and he 
 saw reason to believe that some among the Governors 
 were inclined to put that affront upon him. He there- 
 
The Cumberland Letters 303 
 
 fore consulted his brother as to the advisability of re- 
 signing at once. 
 
 I think with my other business &c I can make shift 
 to hold out till the settling my cause, or at the worst 
 borrow a trifle on the strength of that security and live 
 in some village in Wales during the Summer. 
 
 He had talked with the son of one of the Governors, 
 who was very much his friend, and whose opinion 
 indicated a probability of George's not securing the 
 secretaryship, 
 
 and you will I believe be of his opinion that I had better 
 retire quietly than in a Storm. 
 
 Weigh all these matters impartially and do not let 
 any idea of a little profit sway with you or be taken into 
 consideration but let my credit if not my pride have its 
 due place in the scale, and then decide for or against the 
 proposition but add your reasons if you differ from me 
 in order that I may examine them. 
 
 If he resigned at once, he could take his often-pro- 
 jected and often-postponed tour in Wales, 
 
 which will reestablish my health and at my return finish 
 my ground Rents, and prepare my affairs for going abroad, 
 or in case the Caveat is not withdrawn, sit down quietly 
 to design for a living In which occupation I have not 
 the least doubt of acquiring easily much more than I 
 at present can earn by my Pen. The very thought 
 even of this situation revives my drooping spirits and 
 produces tranquility at the thought of Freedom and a 
 respite from the almost incessant injuries that I have 
 suffered for almost eight years, and which, a foresight 
 that they would end in my disapointment of success in 
 life did not make less painful — how I have borne them 
 you can in some degree I daresay remember and I beleive 
 I have not tired you or any one with complaints which 
 they could not releive. . . . Another reason is that we are 
 not very anxious to return to that employment which is 
 
304 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 totally unfit for our turn of Mind, and habit of thinking — 
 Nor indeed could I feel much satisfaction in the prospect 
 of remaining always confined to the City the air of which 
 has been for years, in spite of the most guarded Tem- 
 perance, undermining a very good Constitution and which 
 I foresaw would consign me to an early grave, or lay the 
 foundation of a diseased old age. 
 
 In short, George was, after fourteen years of it, 
 heartily sick of his present occupation, and had, as there 
 is evidence to show in his letters, come to regard two, 
 at least, of his official superiors with considerable dishke 
 and contempt. In both cases there seems to have been 
 pretty good reason for his sentiments. 
 
 Richard thought his brother's proposed course of 
 conduct would be wise, 
 
 on the Supposition that a certain Majority of the Direc- 
 tors are determined to oppose Your being Secretary 
 even after you declare your Intention of resigning all 
 Claims to the Office as soon as in Possession of your 
 Expectancy. You may find it necessary to resign before 
 the Election to prevent the Mortification of being Super- 
 seded — but why shoud you so readily entertain the Idea 
 that this will be the Case. . . . On the whole this is 
 my Opinion that you shoud leave nothing undone that 
 can be done with honour, to get Yourself chosen Secre- 
 tary. 
 
 He added many good reasons for supposing that George 
 could hardly fail to be so chosen, and concluded : 
 
 Do not think my Dear Brother, that I am careless of 
 Your Credit, and make no allowance for your feelings 
 on this occasion — It is not for the sake of having You 
 retain your Salary a little longer that I give You this 
 Advice — but I woud not have You the Sport of Contin- 
 gencies, nor quit a Certainty, if it can be held with 
 propriety till You are actually possessed of Independence. 
 
The Cumberland Letters 305 
 
 The letter ends with a very kind message to Mary 
 Balchen, 
 
 that if it will be of use to her little Girl [the orphan 
 niece] to change the Air this Summer I shall be happy to 
 see her come down with my Mother — she will be no 
 addition to our trouble or Expense, but a great one to 
 our Satisfaction. 
 
 To this letter (which had also contained an invitation 
 to exchange his proposed cottage in Wales for one in 
 Gloucestershire) George returned a warmly grateful 
 reply : 
 
 indeed your goodness affected me to tears, and at this 
 moment I shed them in reflecting with the highest 
 pleasure that I am not alone and unsupported even should 
 the worst happen. 
 
 Somewhat against his own convictions, and much 
 against his inclinations, George followed the advice 
 given by his brother and his friends — with the worst 
 possible results. He endured an interview with the 
 Directors which he reported, as he assured Richard, 
 with absolute accuracy, and in which he was baited by 
 some of his professing friends, who, having evidently 
 resolved not to elect him, refused to hear the testimony 
 in his favour of the outgoing secretary, and, in fact, 
 appointed a man who seems to have been officially his 
 immediate inferior. George, not unnaturally, regretted 
 that he had not obeyed his first impulse : 
 
 And so ends the Farce In which I have been a principal 
 performer to oblige my Friends, nor am I on that account 
 sorry that I undertook the part at so short notice, as 
 it will I hope remain as a testimony that I am not guided 
 by my passions on every occasion. 
 
 Yielding, however, to further advice he consented to 
 u 
 
3o6 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 take a brief holiday before sending in his resignation, 
 and his next letter comes from Driffield and is addressed 
 to his aunt. 
 
 My Dear Aunt, 
 
 I take the first opportunity, since my arrival to 
 acquaint you that I am well and happy at Driffelde, and 
 that my Brother is also in the same predicament which 
 I know to be the news you most wish to hear — ^how 
 much pleasure it would procure us to have you of the 
 party you may easily guess by the pains I have taken to 
 persuade you to the measure of coming down — Indeed 
 you can hardly imagine the benefit I have already re- 
 ceived from residing a few days here both in my looks 
 and feelings, and this you may suppose does not help 
 to strengthen my resolution of returning to the Exchange 
 — ^however the necessity which there is of being in Town 
 on account of our suit have decided the matter, and I 
 certainly return once more to my drudgery in hopes 
 that every week will relieve me from it for good — 
 let me see you also a little more patient and I shall but 
 little regret my share of the delay which I have hopes 
 will now be shortly terminated. 
 
 We have tolerable Weather here and a prospect of 
 good Crops, I ride every day and sometimes think of 
 settling hereabout if I should meet with a good bargain 
 of Land, these speculations amuse me and agreably 
 fill my lazy day, and to keep me from anxiety my friend 
 our Proctor writes me word that all goes on well in the 
 Commons. 
 
 My Brother joins with me in dutiful respects and I 
 remain. 
 
 Your affectionate nephew, 
 
 G. Cumberland. 
 Friday July 1783. 
 Mrs Cumberland, 
 
 No II Old London Street, 
 Fenchurch Street. 
 
 Again friendly pressure was put upon him, and he 
 
The Cumberland Letters 307 
 
 consented to return to his post instead of instantly- 
 throwing it up — and very much he disHked doing so : 
 
 but this is the least, — the degradation I feel in this 
 frudent but mean action, hangs on my mind and will ever 
 hang there, insomuch that it is very likely I shall never 
 do any act of becoming spirit so long as I live — In sub- 
 mitting to the advice of others contrary to my Judg- 
 ment and feelings I have broke the Pale of honour 
 which I had set up, and how far I may stray after that 
 God only knows. 
 
 It appears to have been in August of this year that 
 George wrote to Mr. Loveden (the brother or brother- 
 in-law of Miss Townsend) a warm recommendation of 
 the sculptor Banks, together with an entreaty that 
 Mr. Loveden would fill an empty space in his " Salloon " 
 with a " Plaister Cast " of the Cupid that Banks had sold 
 to the Empress of Russia, 
 
 and my reasons are that you may perform by that means 
 an act of Patronage at a very trifling expence by shewing 
 to your County a very Singular proof of Merit in a 
 Modern artist which perhaps may be the means of calling 
 forth a Man whose Talents lost, are a Real loss to the 
 arts in this Country. 
 
 To this request Mr. Loveden, after desiring to be 
 satisfied that the statue was quite free from " indeli- 
 cacy," seems to have acceded. 
 
 A letter addressed to Mr. Kekewich, who was George's 
 official superior at the Royal Exchange Assurance 
 Company, was probably kept by the latter on account 
 of the particulars contained in it about the island of 
 Lundy. As these may still be of interest to persons 
 familiar with that island it is reprinted here. 
 
 (^ Barnstable 19 Aug, 1783. 
 
 In reply to your favour of the 16 Inst, The 
 Island of Lundy is inhabited, by two farmers and their 
 
3o8 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 familys only, who rent it of M^ Clevland, our present 
 member of Parliment, for about fifty pounds a year, 
 I am inform'd that M' Clevland some time since bo* 
 the fee of the Island of S'^ J. Warren's Assignees for nine 
 hundred pounds, and was esteem'd a good bargain for 
 the Purchaser, 
 
 I am Sir in all your 
 
 Commands your very 
 Hum. Serv* 
 
 (for my Father), 
 
 F. H. Gribble. 
 W"^ Kekewich Esq, 
 
 Royal Exch^e Assurance Office, 
 London. 
 
 Mary Balchen had apparently heard of her cousin's 
 great indignation against some of the magnates of 
 the Assurance Office, and had written urging upon him 
 a more charitable frame of mind. The draft of his reply 
 shows that she had at this time gone to Margate. 
 
 It afforded me the highest satisfaction, my dear Mary, 
 to hear at last of your health improving — I assure you 
 without flattery I have suffered much anxiety from your 
 silence and the difficulty I found of getting any intelli- 
 gence about you, however we are now made amends 
 etc — 
 
 Next to your account of your health returning I 
 am delighted with your remarks on my return — You are 
 right, we sh*^ overlook little Injuries and great ones, 
 my little Saint. — But how few of us can do as we should ? 
 in fact my Injuries have been of long standing but 
 I resolved never to trouble others with them, and as 
 little as possible to suffer them to trouble myself — If 
 you and I should ever be permitted to meet in a certain 
 better Country than this, we will talk about these and 
 many other things, and then they will serve for amuse- 
 ment, but here there are some subjects which are better 
 never entered into, as they only help to disturb the small 
 share of tranquility wh. our philosophy procures us, 
 
The Cumberland Letters 309 
 
 and for my part I have resolved to try to be as happy as 
 I can, if I cannot be so happy as I wish, now^ this is the 
 Doctrine I would recom^ to you as you can neither 
 prevent the Loss of good, or hinder the existence of 
 badness, either by arguments or retrospection, e'en 
 take things as you find them. 
 
 All that is in our power almost is to live inoffensively, 
 and while we do so we have a right to make the best of 
 our situation — but I have another Idea which is that 
 to live inoffensively, we must not only shew ourselves 
 content with the good things allotted us by partaking 
 of them, but we must make use of our understandings 
 to perceive that they are really good^ for very few people 
 I believe are sensible that Existence, accompanied with 
 health and the means of continuing it is a Portion of 
 inestimable value — 
 
 Do not therefore again slight this valuable enjoyment, 
 but labour to repair your own of this sort by labours 
 to recover y' health, look around you and you will find 
 there is much good to be enjoy'd yet, and if you would 
 be happy look neither before nor behind, but around 
 you and believe me if you do this impartially, you will 
 find no cause to envy the Lot of others, and much to 
 be satisfied with in your own. 
 
 I don't care who calls this a Sermon it is the langs« 
 of reflect^ and Truth and such only will I ever use to 
 you on all occasions — bruised as you have been with 
 afflictions, I hold you sound and would not for my 
 breath utter a Word of unseasonable Levity, or flatter 
 you with false reasoning. 
 
 Aug, 1783, 
 
 Mary Balchen, 
 
 Margate. 
 
 His philosophy, however, was not proof against the 
 deliberate policy of annoyance that seems to have been 
 adopted by some of his colleagues, and it must be owned 
 that he had ground for resentment. His young friend 
 Charles Long, a brother of Richard's former pupils, 
 
3IO The Cumberland Letters 
 
 had revealed to him that his father, who was one of the 
 Directors, 
 
 had told him that M' Forster made great complaints 
 against me alledging that since my return I had been so 
 totally inattentive to my business as to neglect every 
 thing, attending only when I pleased, and making it so 
 much an amusement that it would be necessary if I did 
 not alter to get somebody to supply my place. When 
 I tell you upon my honour that every syllable of this 
 business is false and groundless, and that I have not only 
 been uncommonly vigilant and attentive in order to 
 keep myself out of the power of these scoundrells that 
 watch eagerly for some opportunity of maligning me 
 but have never been absent a day since my return you 
 will suppose the rage and vexation this filled me 
 with. 
 
 I saw plainly that the snare was laying and the arrow 
 prepared to destroy me, and saw in a Moment the danger 
 of my situation without a prospect of escape ... As 
 I predicted some base step I was not disapointcd At 
 twelve o Clock today before the Court M^ Long comes 
 out and very gravely asked me for the notation of a 
 Certain Commi[ ] (that which I mentioned in my 
 
 last) [I can find no such mention] I replied it was ready 
 but waited for a frame and immediately gave it to him. 
 He took it seemingly with great satisfaction and imme- 
 diately walked with it into the Court room, and returned 
 in about 5 minutes and said he had done with it. I 
 have since found that M^ Norris had made a formal 
 complaint to him and M^ Forster on the subject, alledging 
 that he had asked me 4 times for it but could not get 
 me to do it, and desiring M^ Long to interfere — what 
 the foolish knave built upon, must have been the little 
 probability that I could have finished it, the work 
 taking up near a day, and having only been ordered on 
 Friday night — but knowing my Man I was vigorous in 
 my execution and the result must for the moment 
 have covered him with shame if he had been capable of 
 f eeUng any. . . . After this I hope I shall have nothing 
 
The Cumberland Letters 311 
 
 more to say on the subject till I let you know I am free 
 and in a position to retaliate — for which happy moment 
 I sincerely pray. 
 
 Richard expressed " uneasiness " at this account 
 
 of the unworthy Treatment you have met with . . . 
 your return has evidently disappointed them and this 
 is their method of shewing it — But you own You gained 
 an advantage in the Attack and with a little Caution 
 now You are on Your Guard may defy their Malice and 
 come off with flying Colours at last. If ever it was right 
 or allowable to Temporize it is so in Your present Situa- 
 tion. A few Months hence may make a most material 
 alteration in Your affairs ; then you may turn the Tables 
 upon them and all the world will think You right. I 
 wish you would at present try to despise their Efforts 
 and give all your serious thoughts to succeed in your 
 Suit and forward that happy period by every contrivance 
 and exertion in Your Power, rather than waste Your 
 Spirits and Time in lamenting the depravity of human 
 Nature, which it is not in Your Power to amend, or 
 forming vain and fruitless Scemes of Vengeance, so 
 contrary to Your own Nature and Disposition. 
 
 George continued to repine, but remained yet a little 
 longer in his uncongenial oflSce. He had soon another 
 trouble to report. 
 
 Our aunt grows only worse and worse — what is to be 
 done I know not, she exclaims so loud the servants say 
 the neighbours hear her — Her disorder seems a little 
 like M' ... [a friend of the family who had been 
 temporarily deranged] With respect to the suit we are 
 just where we were, that is our antagonist has done 
 nothing. ... I go on as if nothing had happend 
 employing myself with optical Experiments, riding and 
 Society ... I have just found a Method of Throwing 
 opake bodies on plain surfaces Magnified to about 50 
 times their diameter. 
 
312 The Cumberland hetters 
 
 Replying on September the 9th Richard remarked, 
 concerning their aunt : 
 
 my Mother says her Aunt Cumberland was taken 
 exactly the same Way a Uttle before her Death, which 
 happend when she was about her Age. Great attention 
 shoud therefore be paid to her, and every method be 
 taken to divert her melancholly and rouse her from the 
 desponding way she is in . . . Suppose you were to 
 endeavor a reconciliation betwixt our two Old Ladys 
 — if possible it woud be a charming thing for both — 
 ay and for all of us, as it woud releive us from a good deal 
 of anxiety about either — You (if any body) coud bring 
 this about and one, I know is extremely desirous of it. 
 
 George, however, was quite sure that " our two Old 
 Ladys " could never be induced to live in amity, and 
 Richard continuing the subject in a further letter, 
 observed regretfully : 
 
 You say there are no hopes of bringing the old Ladies 
 together it woud have been a most desireable thing if 
 possible, and saved us a world of trouble. Strange that 
 two such eccentric Families should ever have been 
 united. — ^The Universe cannot find a third to match 
 them — In one point our Mother and Aunt agree Not 
 to be happy when Fortune has put it in their power, 
 and most likely their living together woud enable them 
 to indulge this favorite propensity. 
 
 The invention which George describes is not very 
 clear to an unscientific reader, but I hope that there will 
 be found persons who understand its nature from his 
 account : 
 
 I perceived that all Mirrors projected Images in right 
 lines (or at least it seemed so to me) and I thought if I 
 could by presenting a small object within the focal 
 distance of a Lens cause the rays it sent forth to diverge 
 so as to be received on a Mirror placed at an Angle of 
 45 Deg. and pass that enlarged image through another 
 
The Cumberland Letters 313 
 
 Lens placed likewise nearer the object than its focus I 
 should get my Image projected of a considerable Magni- 
 tude — and I had the pleasure to find it succeed to my 
 Wish — so that now I can at pleasure Magnify a head no 
 bigger than a Shilling to the size of 4 feet in Circum- 
 ference, and reduce it again to half its original size 
 by which means an engraver or painter may in two 
 Seconds increase or diminish a Picture with greater 
 precision and certainty than he could have done it before 
 in two days — ^You May act a Play or represent a Portrait 
 for the amusement of your friends by my contrivance 
 in which the performers will have colour light and shade 
 and apparent solidity, instead of being composed as in 
 the Magic Lanthorn of Flat Surfaces with dark outlines 
 and which must be painted on Glass previously. This 
 very scheme I communicated to Storer 3 years ago, 
 as he confesses but want of time made me lay it aside, 
 and now He is applying I am told for a Patent for the 
 Instrument which made me resolve to erect mine out 
 of hand in order to prove that I could do it which Adams 
 and some other opticians Maintained to be impossible 
 in Fact however plausible in Theory. 
 
 He mentioned that he had conversed with the same 
 Storer 
 
 on the subject of Telescopes about which he was then 
 employed. All those to whom I talked of encreasing 
 their powers, represented the thing as impossible, on 
 account of the tremor of the Atmosphere — ^however I 
 caused 3 Glo[bes] to be filled with water, not chusing 
 to go to the expence of Glass balls and with these I 
 proposed to construct a Telescope making them my 
 convex lenses, but the difficulty was how to construct 
 a tube, which I proposed to be a leaden gutter — I 
 reasond thus, if convex Lenses why not Lenses of the 
 whole possible Convexity — haveing no time nor oppor- 
 tunity to try my self I gave them to Storer with my 
 Ideas, and what he did with them I know not. 
 
 He now heard that " Hirschells new method of en- 
 
314 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 creasing the Magnifying powers " was simply the use 
 of glass globes for lenses. 
 
 George continued to be very uncomfortable at his 
 office and very much annoyed at the methods of pro- 
 cedure at Doctors' Commons. 
 
 I now feel the cruelty of our Ecc: (ecclesiastical) 
 Laws — for if we do not plead here, we are forever pre- 
 cluded from pleading at all, and without knowing the 
 nature of our opponent's evidence, how are we to know 
 if it be necessary — Yet if we do plead, we may occasion 
 ourselves a Year or two's delay and without any necessity 
 at all, but it is nonsense to declaim where we have no 
 remedy — I have never consented to any of the Laws, 
 but birth has placed me under this constitution — ^when 
 I have any property, if I find a Country I like better I 
 will become its Citizen, for to own the truth I never 
 felt the Amor Pariae at all, nor do I know what it means, 
 yet I always hold it every Man's duty to be faithful and 
 serviceable to the State he lives in. If by being an 
 Englishman I inherited any one privilege or had even a 
 voice I might perhaps grow partial to the spot that I 
 was born on — but our wise Ancestors thought it I suppose 
 unnecessary to give the children unborn to Property 
 any reasonable ground for attachment. 
 
 A sarcastic letter from George to a certain Mr. Wiblin 
 bears the date of November the 13th, 1783. Perhaps 
 this particular copy was not sent because of an omission 
 in the address at the top. 
 
 M^ Wiblin, Oxford, Nov 13. 1783. 
 Sir, 
 
 I ought to take the earliest opportunity of re- 
 turning you my thanks for the friendly manner in 
 wh. you received the poor Lad whom I sent to you and 
 especially for the good advice you gave him to return 
 to his trade etc, and the cautions you were so obliging 
 as to bestow on him relative to trusting to Letters of 
 recommendation. 
 
The Cumberland Letters 315 
 
 Having been educated in the vulgar school of nature 
 only, and all his acquirements being the result of Genius 
 a good understanding and a turn for the arts obtained 
 without the aid of Tutor or money it was certainly 
 right to warn him against the presumption which com- 
 monly accompanys the self educated. 
 
 If Ferguson had met with such early advice he would 
 not perhaps have troubled the world with so many 
 books on Philosophy, and Chatterton is a second example 
 of the danger of people pretending to exercise a trade 
 they have not served a prenticeship to. Yet notwith- 
 standing all this the young man is determined to persue 
 that which he thinks his interest and has actually engaged 
 himself to a Land Surveyor and architect who is so well 
 pleased with his talents that he has taken him into 
 present pay and good quarters — so there is an end of 
 my trouble about him which I will own arose from my 
 partiality to natural abilitys which are always respected 
 by me in whatever garb they may appear. 
 I remain with truth Dear S'*, 
 
 Your sincere Friend, 
 
 G C 
 
 M' Weblin, 
 
 No 312 
 
 Oxford Street. 
 
 George's ingenious but unprosperous friend Henry 
 Smeathman was at this time living (by permission of his 
 creditors) in Paris, whence he wrote many letters occupied 
 largely, as were the thoughts of his contemporaries, 
 French and English, with the subject of balloons. He 
 was also useful in procuring various French books for 
 his friend. Thus in one letter he noted the despatch 
 to London of 
 
 Montesquieu's Posthumous Works . . . Broussouet 
 has spilled a large drop of ink on the cover and which 
 I hope you will excuse, as it is the work of so clever a 
 fellow and your friend's friend at Paris. 
 
3i6 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 The balloon descriptions George passed on to his 
 brother at Driffield, and by and by forwarded him a 
 miniature example to be filled with smoke, which the 
 vicar succeeded in sending up to the admiration of all 
 beholders. An idea of George's for " walking the water " 
 by means of " Oilskin Boots hooped out " does not appear 
 to have been brought to the test of experiment. Richard 
 in return for his brother's interesting communication 
 sent him an account of a lady 
 
 with whom I am well acquainted, who is sensible of an 
 Earthquake at the Time it happens at a Distance that is 
 almost incredible — I should not have paid attention to 
 the Report, if I had not myself been witness to a Declara- 
 tion she made that she was certain there was an Earth- 
 quake somewhere, which to the best of my recollection 
 (for I paid little attention to it then) corresponded to 
 the several shocks that were suffered in Italy and again 
 I have made the same Observation with regard to that 
 of which we have a recent account from Salonica. She 
 is a Woman of good Sense and Education and far from 
 being either whimsical or superstitious. I desired her to 
 describe her Sensations on these occasions. She said it 
 was a particular Sensation in her Head, caused she sup- 
 posed by the State of the Air at the Time — and observed 
 that her Nerves were extremely irritable — She has herself 
 no doubt of the Truth of these Notices, but does not 
 seem anxious what Reception her assertions on this 
 Head meet with being of a most chearful Disposi- 
 tion, with as few prejudices as any Woman I ever 
 knew. 
 
 The precise date of George's resignation must remain, 
 in the absence of the Company's records, uncertain. 
 A draft appears of the letter that he wrote to Mr, 
 Kekewich ; and we shall probably not be far out if we 
 attribute it to the last days of 1783 or first ones 
 of 1784. 
 
The Cumberland Letters 317 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I shall not be able to come out today, you will 
 therefore be so good as to acquaint the Court that I 
 have resigned my Place. I need hardly on this occasion 
 repeat, what I have often said with truth That if I ever 
 think of the scene of my last fourteen years servitude 
 with patience it is on account of the latter part of it 
 having been passed with yourself, for whom (as I have 
 always experienced friendship and politeness) I shall 
 ever retain the sincerest regard and affection. 
 
 G. Cumberland. 
 
 In the beginning of the New Year (1784) the ingenious 
 George sent to his brother a little copy of a poem to 
 the nightingale, which presented all the appearance of 
 having been neatly written with a crow-quill pen, but 
 which was, in fact, reproduced by a method of his 
 invention. 
 
 the occasion of my writing today is to send you the 
 enclosed specimen of my new mode of Printing — it is 
 the amusement of an evening and is capable of printing 
 2000 if I wanted them — you see here one page which is 
 executed as easily as writing and the Cost is trifling for 
 your Copper is worth at any rate near as much as it cost 
 besides you are not obliged to print any more than you 
 want at one time, so that if the Work don't take you have 
 nothing to do but to cut the Copper to pieces or clean 
 it. — But if it does, you may print 4 editions, 2000 and 
 the[n] sell the Plat[es as] well. All this would be [ ' 
 much if there was not some difficulty. A work [thus' 
 printed can only be read with the help of a looking Gla[ss' 
 as the letters are reversed — I know that would be none 
 to you or any one who reflects, and knows that Glasses 
 are always at hand — but it will be none to the crowd 
 by and by, for we may begin with printing Debates or 
 great news, and they will condescend to apply to the 
 Mirrors for information, and so discover that it is no 
 trouble— however we have a remedy for this defect also, 
 
3i8 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 for in printing 20 we can have 20 more right by only 
 taking off the impression while wet — in fact this is only 
 etching words instead of Landscapes, but nobody 
 has yet thought of the utihty of it that I know of the 
 expense of this page is 1/6 without reckoning time, w*^ 
 was never yet worth much to authors, and the Copper is 
 worth i/o again when cut up. In my next I will tell you 
 more and make you also an engraver of this sort, till 
 when keep it to yourself. 
 
 Soon afterwards Richard must have made a very short 
 visit to London, and must have been already gone home 
 when George wrote to his mother. 
 
 Dear Mother, 
 
 Be assured I have taken the first opportunity 
 since my Brother came to Town of writing you any 
 news — and first let me acquaint you that the Business 
 of your Stock is at length accomplished, through the 
 perseverance of Richard, and after a great deal of atten- 
 dance on his part — He having persuaded your Sister 
 at last to administer, and this day she received the Divi- 
 dends and Transferred the Stock into your name. My 
 Brother received on your account upwards of ^30 
 Interest and has received half a Years Rent of Clay, so 
 that when all things are paid we hope in the Spring to 
 be able to buy you in, with your own savings, and the 
 ^225 Stock about ;£i3 a year Reduced Ann^ for 28 years 
 to come — so that whether my Cause is concluded or 
 not by that time, you see with ^13 a Year and the House 
 you will be according to your way of reconing Rich. 
 But I hope for better things, and that when I come into 
 possession, you will not scruple to receive from me and 
 my Brother, such an addition as will greatly encrease 
 your income without injuring ours 
 
 On Saturday we dined at the Londoft Tavern and 
 invited our Proctors etc having got through the labour 
 of the Cause (which I assure you has not left me a 
 moment to spare for some weeks) and on that occasion 
 Townley informed us that we cannot have the trial till 
 
The Cumberland Letters 319 
 
 May next, unless the opposite party chuse to wave a 
 ceremony in which case it may be heard the 26*^ of this 
 Month. 
 
 When that is over I hope to pay you a visit with the 
 news, for I have determined to stay no longer at the 
 Exchange than till this trial, if there is a Jew to be found 
 who will give me Credit. — 
 
 I called in at my aunts to day and found your China 
 and Fowls come but the apples were rotten and the 
 Cellery frostbit. 
 
 I afterwards saw M^^ Mann in the street, and she desires 
 her love and Thanks for the Guinea which my Brother 
 gave her this morning in your name for transacting 
 the Business, and seems very well pleased. 
 
 Miss Cumberland is going to be married to a M^ 
 Lewis a man of good Fortune, and The Captain, as it 
 is said, to the eldest Miss Hubberd of Richmond. 
 
 I dined in Brook Street yesterday and they all enquired 
 after your health &c. 
 
 For my own part I am half worn out with fatigue 
 and bad hours, but I hope to recruit all in the Spring — 
 especially my Cash of which I never knew the want 
 before — I am therefore a perfect Tantalus but your 
 affectionate and Dutyful Son, 
 
 G. Cumberland. 
 
 Jan 9. 1784. 
 
 M's Cumberland, 
 
 Driffelde near 
 
 Cirencester, 
 
 Glocestershire. 
 
 A letter written the next day by Richard gives us once 
 more a glimpse of Miss Townsend, who was at Buscott 
 nursing Mrs. Loveden. 
 
 She received me with her natural politeness, enquired 
 after You &c, and in return to my Questions, informed 
 Me that for the last Year she had been cheifly in the 
 Neighbourhood of London with a M^^ Campbell who 
 lives next Door to M^ James at Wooton, whose Character 
 
320 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 and Person she seemed well acquainted with, tho he 
 did not visit them — during all last Summer she was under 
 the care of D^ Jebb who visited her in his Way to Windsor 
 [where he attended members of the Royal Family] 
 and has suffered a good Deal in her Health, tho in Ap- 
 pearance much the same as when I saw her last. She 
 apologised for not calling on Miss Balchen when at Bristol 
 by telling me a dreadful story of a fall down a flight of 
 steps which confined her to her Bed for six Weeks and 
 had like to have been fatal — and took an Opportunity 
 after the Company were engaged in Conversation at the 
 other End of the Room, to say she wished much to see 
 me to account for her Behaviour to You in not answering 
 Your Letters which she imagined you saw in a wrong 
 Light — and asked me whether I did not think it would 
 have been Imprudent in her to have kept up a Corres- 
 pondence of that Nature — I reply'd that all I knew of the 
 Matter was that you had once been her Tutor in Painting 
 and if I recollected right the Correspondence begun on 
 that Occasion — and as to the Opinion of the World in 
 these Matters I had a better Opinion of both than to 
 suppose either of you entirely governd by it. She [then 
 said If I was to see some of your Letters she was [ 
 I shoud approve her Conduct — that she still had the 
 same good Opinion of Your Merits as Formerly, and 
 shoud be glad to see you at M^^ Campbell's when she 
 was in Town and said she was glad to hear of Your 
 Success. I said I was sure you woud be happy to shew her 
 and her Friends any Civilities in your Power when in 
 Town &c — Company coming up little more was said and 
 as I only staid Dinner no other Conversation took place 
 but what was general. 
 
 This interview reads rather as though Miss Townsend's 
 previous discouragement of George's advances may have 
 been due to a conviction that they could not afford to 
 marry, and that now, when his prospects were so much 
 better, she might have been disposed to accept him. 
 But George, by this time, was entangled by an affection 
 
The Cumberland Letters 321 
 
 for another woman. What he may have written about 
 this meeting we do not know, for the earHer part of his 
 next letter to his brother does not appear ; not im- 
 probably the prudent Richard destroyed it lest allusions 
 to the other lady should fall into their mother's hands. 
 From a contemplation of balloons — which he believed 
 to be inherently impossible of guidance — Smeathman 
 had proceeded to the consideration of other feasible 
 means of aerial navigation, and by and by wrote to 
 George Cumberland : 
 
 I have certainly found out the way of directing an aero- 
 static Machine ... he certainly will not be able to fly 
 if he and his apparatus are not heavier than the medium 
 in which he floats. This is the secret. If he is lighter 
 than the wind he will go with it, but if he is heavier he 
 can oppose it, and in proportion to his gravity and the 
 form of his apparatus he will make an angle more or less 
 obtuse with the wind in descending. Now if his appara- 
 tus partakes of the mixed form of a Fish, a Bird and a 
 Bat, it will necessarily, having a flat bottom and occupying 
 by means of a sail cloth a large surface descend very slowly 
 if it is not much inclined, and that descent may be very 
 easily guided by a rudder in the form of a Bird's tail and 
 two wings. 
 
 On February the 8th he wrote further : 
 
 On friday last I got a very civil and satisfactory answer 
 from his grace of Dorset [the British ambassador] who I find 
 a plain blunt man, and seemingly very well satisfied with 
 my plan. He has signed a certificate of having read my 
 Memoir, which in the hurry of my affairs I have defined 
 " A Memoir proposing to conduct Aerostatic machines 
 upon INCLINED PLANES in the manner that winged animals 
 fly by means of their gravity ; occupying wide surfaces 
 and opposed to the elasticity of the air " The Memoir 
 is dated the 2nd of Feb^ and the certificate the 6th. 
 On Saturday I waited on D' Franklin [Benjamin] who 
 
 X 
 
322 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 seems to think I have hit upon the true and natural 
 method. Indeed what way so Hkely to be right as that 
 which we see every day ? Vessels sailing on the sea are 
 suspended on the surface of one fluid and impelled by 
 another very different, or in other words suspended by 
 one power and impelled by a second. Balloons in the 
 air are also vessels suspended in a fluid or by one power, 
 but the difficulty was to find the second power by which 
 they might be impelled. That power is gravity by which 
 we can certainly impell an Aerostatic vessel properly 
 constructed in any direction. The french philosophers 
 are seeking for that power in the air itself, and have 
 therefore missed it, turning the endeavours upon mechanic 
 powers, as sails, fans, fliers &c. As soon as D^ Franklin 
 had read my Memoir he took hold of half a sheet of 
 writing paper and launched it from his hand, observing 
 " that it was certainly true that a body with a wide surface 
 launched on an inclined plane would go on in that direc- 
 tion as long as the ballance was preserved " The method 
 I propose of sailing or flying is also like that of Birds, 
 in that whenever the machine has made long descending 
 flights, two wings may be opposed which by the elasticity 
 of the air will throw the machine upward with great 
 velocity. 
 
 In a somewhat earlier letter, wherein he had merely 
 stated without further explanation that he had " hit 
 upon " a method of guiding " aerostatic " vessels, he 
 had declared : 
 
 The devil is in the English Philosophers I say, if they 
 will not receive my invention may they be condemned to 
 trudge a winter on foot through the dirtiest streets of 
 the dirtiest Town I ever set foot in [to wit, Paris] 
 God help poor authors I say, who are condemned to live 
 on medium incomes in this place — no footways for those 
 who have not carriages are obliged to mix with carts, 
 waggons, coaches, horses, asses dogs and all sorts of people 
 in the middle of the streets. If you would get forward 
 as the coaches either drive close up to the doors or stop 
 
The Cumberland Letters 323 
 
 there you are obliged to cross the streets, though ancle 
 deep when after walking twenty or thirty yards one is 
 obliged to cross again in the same circumstances — splash 
 — splash — the streets on each side are lined with dunghills 
 and so miserably lighted that one cannot see where to 
 place one's foot— oh horrible ! 
 
 Being the man he was, Mr. Smeathman had, of course, 
 a scheme for the paving of the Paris thoroughfares, but, 
 also of course, it was not adopted. 
 
 To the last week of February belongs the next letter. 
 
 Wed" Feb 25. 1784. 
 Dear Richard, 
 
 The first good news I reced relative to my Cause 
 I sent as desired, I was then too ill to copy the Paper, 
 and therefore enclosed 3 Sheets of remarks wh Townley 
 had made for my satisfaction but as I suspected you did 
 not get them in time, I have therefore had 3 Notices 
 of the j^i5 which is safe and sound — On Sunday I went 
 out to our Aunts to congratulate her, on what I had 
 heard on Saturday from Townley and the evidence, 
 indeed I went on Saturday night that she might sleep 
 the better — and the result was that on Sunday she seemed 
 better in Spirits than I have rememberd her a great while 
 — but nothing is lasting, on Monday she took to her old 
 ways and has continued in them ever since, I not being 
 well enough to go to her, hear all this from Sueky — 
 That evening I wrote a Letter to our Mother that she 
 might partake with yourself in my good news, and yester- 
 day I learnt further from Townley that, He and Slade 
 have fixed for the second of May to hear the Cause in 
 the mean time I have wrote a note to D^ Harris to desire 
 he will give me his opinion on the Evidence, in order that 
 I may be able to convince the incredulous by other testi- 
 mony than my own of the reasonableness of my hopes — 
 when that is accomplished, which I hope will be by 
 Sunday, I mean to resign as soon as possible, and quit 
 an ungrateful and disgraceful office in that hansome 
 manner which shall most make them feel their own unjust 
 
324 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 conduct towards me — ^As Harry has ans^ yr Queries 
 I need not enquire at the Stock Exchange, as I see the 
 Comm^Q return them thanks in the papers — 
 
 With regard to the Lad I will think of it — I took a 
 Coach to Newington to day by way of airing and spent an 
 hour or more with Mary, she seems in as good health 
 and spirits as I have seen her for a good while and 
 walked back with me to the Bridge foot — We had some 
 conversation about her suit and she says she is told she 
 shall gain her cause in case the will is set aside, which 
 seems to be on that account the desire of M' Tapp — 
 
 This day Thursday I have had two people with me 
 about the House at Mile end — one a Butcher of Leaden 
 Hall Market as a Tenant, and the other a M^ G. whose 
 name I have already forgot altho I believe it is Gilham 
 the son of a Gentleman who lives opposite the Leaden 
 Hall, the latter wants either to buy or become a 
 Tenant and I have promised to let him know the Price 
 at the same time as I write to Newell — but I have forgot 
 what you say the House is worth — ^You will therefore 
 by return of Post let me know the ultimatum, as I am 
 pleased to have so many applications and think it would 
 be no bad opportunity if these Chaps do not bid hand- 
 somely to put it up to auction by wh. I think we should 
 get for our Mother a good price — As to Politicks you can 
 learn but little from the news papers as they are all but 
 one or two bought by the Old Ministers at 500 each 
 except one and it had ^^600 — the Public Advertizer is 
 one that is independent, the others I dont know but I 
 beleive one of the Sunday Papers called the Monitor 
 is unpensiond — With respect to the Westminster account 
 I can only say that M^ Fox was hissed hooted and hustled 
 out of the Hall by about 9000 people and that in his 
 retreat he did not carry off 200 — and this I had from 
 Breedon who was there, and afterwards attended him to 
 the Duke of Portlands to see the end of the farce — it is 
 therefore in the power of about 8000 people to give the 
 Lye direct to his advertizement — and Lord Mahon did 
 give it him in the House of Commons, when he had the 
 
The Cumberland Letters 325 
 
 shameless want of honour and^veracity to assert that he 
 had been reced with applause — is such a scoundrel fit for 
 society ? but He depends on his newspapers and hopes 
 to deceive the Kingdom — Tomorrow I go again to the 
 office, and next week perhaps quit it for good. Yours 
 sincerely, 
 
 G. Cumberland. 
 Rev. M' Cumberland, 
 Driffelde near 
 
 Cirencester, 
 
 Glocestershire. 
 
 In February Richard made another flying visit to 
 London to give evidence in the suit about Mrs. Mole's 
 will, to the effect that he had never seen any symptom 
 of insanity in her, but that she was, on the contrary, 
 a shrewd, sagacious woman, not at all easily influenced. 
 He stayed one night, if not more, at his aunt's, and after 
 his return to Driffield reported to his brother a " second 
 serious Conversation " that he had had with her, 
 
 whom I found labouring under an oppression of her 
 Lungs occasiond by a Cold she had taken some Days 
 before. She said she shoud not live to see me again 
 and actually drew out her Purse and gave me half a 
 crown for the Poor of Driffield. 
 
 Next morning, however, before his departure, he 
 heard that she was better ; a!«nd, in fact, she was by no 
 means at death's door. 
 
 Still in February Richard wrote to his brother : 
 
 I wish to mention one thing that has frequently come 
 into my Mind since I returned — that you woud not 
 suffer any little Circumstances to break off your intimacy 
 with Mary B. nor be too severe in your observations on 
 her Conduct when you meet. When I took leave of her, 
 she seemed I thought a little hurt at your late neglect 
 and as her Health is far from being established, and her 
 
326 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 Situation sufficiently distressing — this is no time to look 
 for explanations, but rather for every possible Attention 
 from her Friends, and tho her Pride will not permit her 
 to acknowledge it, I beleive there is no one she has a higher 
 regard for than Yourself — therefore let me entreat You 
 to visit her on her own Terms, when you conveniently 
 can, and endeavour to promote her present Happiness, 
 rather than refute her prejudices which you must acknow- 
 ledge are of the most amiable kind — Do not mention 
 that I took Notice to You of her Neglect on my second 
 visit there. 
 
 In May George was writing a long, gossiping letter 
 full of personal and family news. 
 
 May II. 1784. 
 
 Dear Richard, 
 
 The hour I rece<* your agreable Letter, I rece^ 
 also to make a balance, the most disagreable intelligence 
 — Slade has delivered his new allegation, which says 
 in the first place that Bradney, Cherrington and Boulton, 
 are people who for gain would perjure themselves in 
 any Cause, and as such persons are notoriously known to 
 be et^ ct^ (a string of Libells) — that Cherringtons last 
 Testimony is false and partial, as every thing is the reverse 
 of what he there said et^ et^ and that therefore their 
 evidence ought not to be believed. 
 
 We have had a consultation on it with Harris, who was 
 very communicative on my warmly putting some home 
 question relative to the practice of this Court — From 
 him we find that exceptive allegations to Witnesses are 
 always admitted if urged in general terms, as it remains 
 with the Parties to prove them, and that this will cer- 
 tainly make us sure of Costs if not supported — but 
 said I, may he not support this or any assertion by Hired 
 witnesses : — ^yes certainly but then you can except against 
 them — and may he not on being unable to bring any 
 proof of the allegation, as he has been in the first, bring 
 another and another ? — Certainly — and at last carry it 
 to the Delegates — no doubt — But cannot we make him 
 
The Cumberland Letters 327 
 
 swear to the allegation — No — that practice having been 
 disused some years as it was found that they were always 
 ready to make affidavits — but for their false oath to this 
 answer, was there no punishment ? No, no prosecution 
 for Perjury, because this is not a Court of Record. — 
 Nothing but an inditement for a Misdemeaner in the 
 Kings Bench — ^Thus you see this accursed Court is 
 calculated to encourage, and protect villains provided 
 they have only money, and are actuated either by malice, 
 or the hope of gain from extortion — for at last Hodges 
 has nothing to do, but to go to the Continent, and he 
 may laugh at our verdict of costs — 
 
 Now you must know all this has open'd my eyes more 
 than the whole process, and altho Townley says he never 
 met with such instances of spight without Cause, in his 
 whole practice, yet I like it so much the worse, and I 
 openly declared that from this Day I am ready to submit 
 to be robbed of part of my property under the will, 
 rather than be kept out of the whole for an uncertain 
 time by these means — I told Harris I could compare 
 it to nothing but a legal Pistol, and their conduct to 
 that of a man who steals a watch in prison after he has 
 been sent for an offence, in the hope that a new tryal 
 will put off the punishment — but with this difference 
 in the event, — that the experiment will succeed in this 
 Court altho it would fail in Newgate — But what do you 
 think adds to the vexation of this — ^half the allegation 
 relates to M^^ Cumberland's damd dialogue with Cher- 
 rington, and they will make this a pretence for examining 
 her again — Lilabulero ! — -Thus a Cause, which if it 
 could have been heard, would have been gain'd next 
 Thursday, will now be detaind till July before it is Tried, 
 and afterwards we go to the Delegates most certainly 
 but that I dont mind — 
 
 When M^s Cumberland is inclined to remove we pro- 
 pose to warehouse the goods — and I think the sooner 
 she does it the better — 
 
 For my own part I shall for the present follow the plan 
 I have laid down and remove with Carter, as I must 
 
328 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 necessarily be at hand to attend to my Rents and the 
 Cause — And thus I fear my fine vision of happiness in 
 Wales which has been attempting 4 years is once more 
 over — But that is a trifle to my disapointment about Italy 
 — altogether, I seem to be opening the volume of 
 adversity, and must not faint at the first Chapter — yet 
 I hofe otherwise^ as I knov;^ my intentions are, and aWays 
 have been to apply my fortune to good purposes, and I 
 have much confidence in the doctrine that prosperity 
 attends on good intentions — nor let any appearance of 
 misfortune happening to me ever give you any concern, 
 while I retain my character and my Spirits, — for I will 
 procure myself independance, even under the pressure 
 of poverty, so long as I have health and understanding 
 with the use of my limbs — ^With these, and the liberty 
 to chose my seat of residence in the Country, I cannot 
 but find myself in a better situation than I have hitherto 
 been, for if I were in the wide world without a friend 
 tomorrow, I would not return to my place at the Royal 
 Exchange, even if I could be reinstated by only wishing 
 it — Courage therefore ! and what have I to fear ! nor 
 do I fear, nor do I disturb my repose, I have studied 
 ill if I have not learnt to submit to necessity^ and might 
 be said to have a very inadequate Idea of human Happi- 
 ness, if I did not know and feel that it is not to be 
 procured by Riches alone — and so ends my Sermon — 
 
 Duty to our Mother and tell her I have spoke to Nichol- 
 son who will be glad to see her — If I dont go to Wales, 
 I will spend part of my summer with you if you'll take 
 me in on my own terms, which are only that I may have 
 my own way, be unnoticed while I do no mischief, and 
 not be thought wrong when I dont do as other people, 
 and on my part I promise to give as little trouble as 
 possible, to do as much service as I can, and never to 
 blow my flute at midnight because the moon shines, or 
 come in to dinner when you are drinking Tea — More- 
 over I will go to church once every Sunday, — look as 
 little like a Londoner as I can contrive, and never take 
 any notice of your maid but when you arc out of the 
 
The Cumberland Letters 329 
 
 House — let me know in your next if this is agreed to, 
 and most likely you see me, for I think it is very likely 
 my Welch scheme will be postponed — As for poor 
 Bala, alas ! alas ! merit has no friend in this world or he 
 would not go a begging ! but I cannot afford to keep him 
 and we must part — I have had a Letter from M^s Gooch 
 for her husband is dead and another from his Executor 
 enclosing a Pettifoging account which he desires me to 
 receive for him of a Person here — She writes word that 
 my kind letter afforded her a cordial, as it came to her 
 hands the day her husband was buried, who had been 
 both tender and indulgent to her — that she had enjoyed 
 but little health lately, and is now at Board with one of 
 M^ Gooch's Relations — That M^^ Marriott is alive and 
 well, and ends with her affectionate Love and Duty to 
 her dear aunts entreating to hear from them etc — 
 
 On Sunday afternoon I called on Mary Balchen and 
 found her very ill indeed with a feverish disorder and 
 putrid Sore Throat and after sitting some time found she 
 grew better, but I persuaded her at last to let Fanny 
 Man call on Johnsons — she seemed as he has always 
 done of late, uncommunicative, cool, and scarcely 
 enquired after any body — and I suspect from all this 
 that somebody is labouring hard to sever our intimacy — 
 for she is entirely guided I now perceive They now do 
 not move at all, but why I cannot learn — How do the 
 good Timbrells — and thank you for your account of 
 
 T but that is all over — Where do you think I sat 
 
 to finish this in a vile room at the Crown in Bow Lane — 
 waiting for a scoundrell of an Election Agent, who 
 has quarreled with Cater the member for Ipswich and 
 offers to prove Bribery — Crockett who ought to have 
 been elected — catches at this, and begs me for all ac- 
 counts to see the grounds — and today I have seen 
 rascally London voters give receits for 4 Guineas each 
 for their votes for Cater, and a Bakers Journey- 
 man is coming this moment to give another receit, of 
 which, God help me I am to be made a witness because 
 I am a good natur^ fellow and cannot see Honest Crockett 
 
330 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 break his heart for want of help, altho I had rather draw 
 in a sand Cart than overwhelm myself thus with foreign 
 matters — Thank your stars that you can sit under a Tree 
 and be forgot, and beleive me ever your affect*^ Brother, 
 
 G. Cumberland. 
 May II. 1784. 
 
 P.S. I have told M^s C. that she must be again 
 examined and she stands it pretty well, but she will 
 certainly contradict Cherrington. 
 
 Rev<i M^ Cumberland, 
 Driffelde near 
 
 Cirencester, 
 
 Glocestershire. 
 
 In June George reported that 
 
 in the course of my walk I saw 4 Giants yesterday, but 
 the Giant Obrian Boro in the Strand, surpasses them all. 
 His hand from the ball of his thumb actually measures 
 II Inches 1/2 and is large in Proportion, when I stood 
 up I could just with my forefinger touch the bottom of 
 his chin — in a word he is 8 feet 3 inches high and his 
 bones are in proportion large — but the poor devil seems 
 to be dying for want of air and exercise he is 19 years 
 of age and [expecjts to be 9 feet high. 
 
 This letter suggests that the circumstantial account of 
 O'Brien's death published in The GentlemarC s Magazine 
 of the previous year was a hoax. 
 
 George was now sojourning in his aunt's house, chiefly, 
 I think, in order that while she was in the country she 
 might feel sure of its being carefully guarded against 
 any danger of fire. She was proposing to return very 
 soon, although " I was in hopes she would have profited 
 by the opportunity of getting air." 
 
 We have had a Fire last night at Compton S* Soho 
 which burnt 15 Houses. I was there till 2 in the Mors 
 but none thank God in this neighbourhood. 
 
The Cumberland Letters 331 
 
 A letter at the close of the month gives some notion 
 of the rectitude of elections in the eighteenth century. 
 
 Dear Richard, 3o June 1784. 
 
 I am at last returned to Town again from Ips- 
 wich, where we have gained the most complete victory 
 over a Rotten Burrough that has been ever seen, first 
 turning out the sitting member with only 7 votes, and 
 then getting a seat in spite of all the Corporation and 
 government Interest put together — In a word Messrs 
 Crockett and Middleton are now in possession of the 
 Interest for their Lives, and the 8*^ of Sep they make 
 new BayUfs and new Officers — Not a little of this as all 
 confess has been owing to our Town exertions, for I 
 carried near 80 London votes down, and canvassed 4 
 times over above 170 — which with 30 new made Freemen 
 did the business — 
 
 But it almost demolisht me, and if I had not gone to 
 bed for one hour during the Poll I believe you would not 
 have reced this Letter — thanks to my constitution, by 
 two days rest at Bury, I am as well or better than before 
 and mean in a day or two to set out for Driffelde, calling 
 at Crosses and Breedon by the way — 
 
 Therefore I will that I may lose no time postpone the 
 story till we meet and in the mean time am 
 
 Yours most affectionately, 
 
 G. Cumberland. 
 
 The House is to remain in M^ Clays hands by agree- 
 ment till he gets another and then he is to give i Qrs. 
 warning — 
 
 Cause goes on as usual, slowly. 
 
 Rev^. Cumberland, 
 Driffelde near 
 
 Cirencester, 
 
 Glocestershire. 
 
 It is not surprising that a letter, written not long after- 
 wards by Mr. Townley to George while the latter was 
 at Driffield, should inform him that : 
 
2^2^2 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 If you have not read of the Ipswich petition I can 
 inform You there is one — for Bribery and Treating . . . 
 This petition is not presented from Thornton per the 
 Corporation, but as I understand from six or seven 
 despicable Voters and that Cator [himself recently- 
 unseated in the same constituency] is at the bottom of 
 it. I wish he and all of them were at the bottom 
 of some other place. 
 
 I am glad that this volume is able to record before it 
 closes that George did at last succeed in carrying out his 
 often frustrated scheme and make an expedition into 
 Wales. He was accompanied by Mr. Charles Long and 
 by Rover, a dog whose ordinary place of abode was 
 Driffield, but who, I think, was strictly speaking the 
 property of George. 
 
 At Abergavenny, a place I shall ever detest, they stole 
 Rover from the Inn door at 8 o Clock in the Morns 
 and we found on enquiry that we had fallen into the 
 very Jaws of the Lyon, for it appears to be a common 
 practice at that rascally place to do so, they being to a 
 Man Grouse shooters, and Poachers of Black Game. 
 Long and I ran all over the Place after him for two hours, 
 without success, and at last we set the Crier to work — 
 we next gave your direction to Sanders at the White Hart 
 with orders that if he is found he May be sent by the 
 Waggon that goes thro Cirencester, and sets out from 
 Abergavenny every Sunday Evening. 
 
 He had written also to various friendly persons upon 
 the road, " so you see Nothing has been left undone that 
 you could do yourself." All this trouble was, however, 
 superfluous, the intelligent and inappropriately named 
 Rover having returned home, unaided and coUarless, 
 with a promptitude that suggests doubts as to any human 
 intervention in his removal from the inn door. If, 
 indeed, any " rascally " inhabitant of Abergavenny 
 
The Cumberland Letters 333 
 
 abducted him, he must have escaped from his captor 
 almost immediately, since he appears to have reached 
 Driffield v^ithin twelve hours of his departure, and created 
 some little uneasiness there, the letter which announced 
 his loss not arriving until more than a week later. 
 
 The suit dragged on, the opponents employing, 
 apparently, every possible device to delay its conclusion. 
 At last their purpose began to show itself, which was to 
 have something paid them in return for consenting to 
 withdraw. George, more and more impatient to get 
 away in the next winter to Rome, yet resisted the 
 attempted imposition, and correspondence went on in 
 much the usual way between the brothers. Here are 
 two letters of November : 
 
 Sunday evetf y^^ Nov*", 
 Dear George, 
 
 I cannot help being a little anxious to hear how 
 you go on in Town, and have had thoughts of coming 
 among you this week, but find it will be attended with 
 so many inconveniences and break in so much on my 
 favorite Plan which is to settle my affairs here in such a 
 manner as may admit of an absence of three months at 
 least, that I shall endeavour to defer my Journey a fort- 
 night or 3 weeks and then break up Housekeeping for 
 the Winter. Had I the smallest circle of social neigh- 
 bours near me or a better Constitution to bear the se- 
 verity of this Climate at all hours and seasons, nothing 
 woud tempt me to quit a Situation in every other Respect 
 desirable — Indeed if it were good for man to live alone, 
 there is not a single Comfort wanting to make a reason- 
 able Being happy. Three Servants attentive to my Nod 
 — a good Horse in the Stable — a Brace of faithful 
 Spaniels — and no scarcity of Books — add to this abundant 
 Power of doing good both publick and private and thus 
 innocently gratifying even Vanity and ambition as well 
 as the benevolent affection — If this is not otium cum 
 Dignitate I dont know what is — still one thing is wanting 
 
334 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 — a Friend to whom I might communicate my feeUngs 
 when most happy, not to teize with my Complaints, 
 for in such Seasons I wish to be alone or among depen- 
 dents only, having no great opinion of Pain being 
 alleviated by Participation — nor do I see why the 
 misfortune of one shoud become that of many — there 
 is sufficient Evil in the World without it. So I am about 
 to quit ninety and nine actual Comforts in pursuit of 
 the one imaginary one wanting to crown the whole — 
 however I will still retain the means of resuming them, 
 whenever I have purchased wit enough to wish it. 
 
 I have just read Coxes travels thro Switserland and am 
 inflamed with a violent inclination to visit, not the Scenes 
 only which he describes, but the people who inhabit 
 them, his account of their Manners, and mode of Life 
 pleases me beyond any thing, I ever met with — and if 
 what he says of their several States be true, I shoud be in 
 Danger of returning a republican in my heart. I shoud 
 like to pass this Winter in the Pays de Vaud, with such 
 a Companion as yourself — We woud compose a better 
 account than Coxes — ^You should delineate the Country 
 and describe the People — while I woud furnish anecdotes 
 of the State of agriculture and the Mechanic Arts, in 
 which I find they excel. Breedon must go with us to 
 botanize and then our Books compleat — You know I 
 love building and think that of Castles, better than none 
 at all. My Church goes on well, and will come within 
 the estimate. I have just begun to new pave the Chancel 
 and must see it finishd before I stir — My next Scheme 
 is to repair and improve the Scool Room and as far as 
 lies in my power perpetuate it to that useful purpose. 
 I am convinced that if any lasting and essential reform 
 is wished for in the manners of a people we must begin 
 with Children, and then any Change may be brought 
 about — Dont be surprized if you hear of my turning 
 Parish Nurse. I mean by taking Orphans and deserted 
 Children at the low prices paid to a set of worthless 
 people by the parish and providing comfortably for them, 
 in a kind of working School, such as are founded in 
 
 \ t 
 
The Cumberland Letters 335 
 
 Ireland. My plan is to begin at first with Boys only 
 and proportion the number to the means. I have a 
 House ready and the chief expense woud be in furnishing 
 it properly and the greatest difficulty meeting with a 
 fit Master — ^last Friday I feasted my Farmers — one 
 only was absent [ ] I have broke the present com- 
 position and [ ] renew it, shall expect they clea [ 
 doubtful Points about Tithe free land and what [ 
 are due, which may cause [ ] Litigations and are best 
 settled during Time of Peace. I hope to leave my 
 Successor a [ ] than I found. Adieu for 
 
 tonight as I hope to find a Line from you tomorrow 
 will leave a little space for an answer — 
 
 I have just reced my Mothers kind Letter for which 
 pray thank her for me — I expected to hear from you 
 about the Cause. 
 
 Monday evening — 
 
 By Tonights Coach I send a Hare to M' Townley — 
 make my Comp*^ to that Family. 
 
 M^ G. Cumberland, 
 
 at M^ Carter, 
 
 George Street, 
 
 Blackfryars Road, 
 London. 
 
 Nov 10. 1784. 
 
 Now do I verily believe you are in want of Society, 
 for when have I before received a long Letter from 
 Driflfelde without a sylable of business in it — it is curious 
 to find a man with every human blessing at his feet, 
 convinced that he ought to be content yet feeling 
 none — ^god forbid I should blame you for this, for we 
 are all more or less subject to these caprices,^ but if I 
 can point out the remedy for this spleen I will— go to 
 Switzerland if you like it, but dont go to cure this com- 
 flaint, for depend upon it no change of place will prove 
 more than a temporary remedy, — but if you would be 
 free from it for ever, — either enter into the natural 
 Society of a wife and Children or learn some mechanic 
 art — without a fifth part of your comforts or con- 
 
336 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 veniences, may I say almost without any conveniences 
 of existence — deprived of my horse, deprived of my 
 Books, — teazed with Law, in Debt — ^withheld from 
 my favorite schemes, nay even so situated that I 
 cannot carry on my necessary studies — yet in spight of 
 all this I have found out a way to be usefully employd, 
 and happy of course — Let me hasten to tell you this 
 grani specific I have bought me a German stove, and 
 placed it in a room 8 feet square, which is my bed- 
 room also, and here with the help of Copper Rozin and 
 two or three Acids I am so busy and so content that I 
 dont go out of this little room for days together, unless 
 it is after dark to the Printers to get a proof, when I 
 return immediately without even looking into the Coffee 
 House, nor have I seen a News Paper this fortnight. — 
 for this quiet enjoyment of myself I refuse all invitations 
 to the country or to entertainments, and am even 
 so happy that I dont go to visit my oldest friends — 
 Learn therefore Mechanic Arts and be independent — 
 But one thing which I am surprised at is, that you do not 
 even cultivate in your retirement those studies which 
 are absolutely necessary in my opinion to preserve a 
 man who lives in the midst of society from ennui — 
 
 You neither Paint, Fiddle, write. Learn modern 
 Languages, or get modern Publications home to you, — 
 you neither collect Books or Butterflies, — and out of 
 doors you are neither seen with your Gun, or following 
 the chace or botanising Let me beg of you to reflect 
 that agriculture and Divinity are not amusements, but 
 serious concerns, and if they were, cannot be followed 
 at all seasons, — whereas the human mind must be always 
 employd and sometimes requires employments that relax 
 — without these I am sensible even matrimony wont 
 do to make life agreeable, and with these I feel, and always 
 have felt, that one may even do without matrimony. — • 
 
 Thus I have as concisely as possible endeavourd to 
 give you my ideas of the source of your ennui, which 
 I am so far from being surprised at, that I should be 
 surprised to find you without it — being sensible of this 
 
The Cumberland Letters 337 
 
 I wrote you all the accounts I could of new inven- 
 tions in order to set yriu to work at improving them, 
 and I assure you they are the only Letters I find 
 time to write — I am reading Lord Monboddos Books, 
 but they do me no good, as they shew me mankind 
 in a worse light than I before beheld them, — yet seeing 
 what we are, and how base, am I not likely sooner to 
 aim at refining my Dross — God bless you ! when I 
 have any thing useful or amusing to tell I will write 
 again. 
 
 Yrs affectionately, 
 
 G. Cumberland. 
 
 P.S. My cause I expect to be tried on Monday or 
 Tuesday and you may be sure will write you word of the 
 Judgment. 
 
 Mary looks very indiferently — the child improves 
 much, Our Mother so so, I dined with her today. 
 M^ Balchen — ^M^ Cross writes is dying by inches — 
 Jefferson with him at Taplow — ^Why dont you go to 
 Breedon who wants society as much as you ? Holman 
 is said to be a great actor, I have not seen him — M' 
 Tapp has left Hackney — Marys cause comes on this week 
 in Chancery and they hope to set aside the Will which 
 she prays in her Petition. I have found out Aqua-tinta 
 and Hoffmans Paris mode of Printing — I sent my mode 
 of Printing to M [ ] s last Review and they have 
 
 copied it into all the Papers, but not quite correct. 
 
 Life is a Farce, mere Childrens play — 
 Go learn [ ] thine by theirs — 
 
 Go learn to trifle Life away — 
 Or learn to bear a life of cares. 
 
 Rev<* Cumberland, 
 
 Driffelde near 
 
 Cirencester, 
 
 Glocestershire. 
 
 George's legal advisers had constantly urged him to 
 accept the offered terms and so bring to an end the pro- 
 ceedings ; at last, very reluctantly, he yielded, and on 
 y 
 
338 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 December the i(^\\x^ 1784 — two years after the death of 
 Mrs. Mole — he wrote in the following terms to his 
 brother : 
 
 Dear Richard, 
 
 I have only time to say, that Slade has withdrawn 
 the Caveat 
 
 and we pay ;^iooo 
 and give ^^300 
 Which is being robbed of ^1300. 
 
 Yours affectionately, 
 
 G. Cumberland. 
 
 Thus fleeced, but liberated, George was enabled to 
 turn his face towards the land of his artistic dreams, 
 and to open an entirely fresh chapter of his life, at the 
 age of thirty. Richard, too, without quitting his quiet 
 vicarage, was taking the first steps towards a change 
 almost as great and beginning the courtship of the lady 
 whom he was soon to marry. The first volume of their 
 story comes to its natural end with the year 1784. 
 
APPENDIX I 
 
 CAPTAIN JOHN BALCHEN AND A CUSTOM HOUSE 
 
 OFFICER 
 
 IN June, 1 716, one Bowen, an official in the Customs, made 
 a complaint to his superiors of the treatment which he 
 had received on board His Majesty's ship, the Diamond, 
 at the hands of the captain, John Balchen. The complaint, 
 travelling upward to the Treasury, was by that department 
 passed on to the Lords of the Admiralty, who applied to Captain 
 Balchen for an explanation. His statement, in his own admirable 
 handwriting, may be read at the Record Office, and is a document 
 full of character. Its whole appearance, as well as its easy turn 
 of phrase and self-possession, strike me as characteristic, not 
 of a man who had begun life in very humble circumstances, but 
 of one who had enjoyed a good eighteenth-century education 
 and been accustomed to mix always rather with the upper than 
 the lower middle class of his day. Its orthography is, for the 
 period, good, and the writing is distinguished. 
 
 Orford at the Nore, 22 Nov. 1716. 
 
 In answer to what Bowen surveyor at Leigh has depos'd against 
 me, take as follows. The 22d. May his Majesties Ship the Diamond 
 which I then Commanded, lay at the Nore. I had been a Shore 
 at Sheerness, and coming on board in the evening, the Master 
 who was Chief Officer in my Absence, told me there was an Officer 
 from Leigh, and Two friends with him upon the Quarter Deck ; 
 they had a Small Boul of Punch and Ask'd me if I would please 
 to drink. I satt down and Bowen told me he had made a Seizure 
 of Some Jesuit's Bark Two days before going for London from 
 the Diamond. I answer'd I was sorry that any body Should be 
 so foolish as to Offer to Run any thing. And that I knew nothing 
 of any Barke there was on board but what I had my Self, and I 
 had a Considerable Quantity, which I design'd to enter as soon 
 as I had Orders, and knew where the Ship was to clear. And that 
 
 339 
 
340 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 it had been seen by three Surveyors already, that I never made 
 it a Secret and he might See it if he pleas'd ; his Answer was, 
 he did not come to Search the Ship, but after he had Sett Some- 
 time he Starts up and Said, he would Search the Ship. I answer'd 
 with all my heart, and Order'd the Master to go down with him, 
 and Shew him where my Bark lay. The Master Stay'd with him 
 Sometime till Bowen was Angry at his being with him, then came 
 up, and told me, Bowen was uneasy at his being below. After 
 Sometime, Bowen came up himself and told me he had found so 
 much Bark ; Says I to him there Should be more ; he answer'd, 
 Sir, I expect you to See the Bark forthcoming to the Comm"^ 
 of the Customs. I answer'd, why Should you tell me that ; 
 I am not going to Run Any, neither did I intend any Such thing. 
 I have made it no Secret as I told you before ; by this Usuage 
 you give me reason to Suspect whether you are the Officer you 
 pretend to be or not : Pray Sir, are you Sattisfied with Searching 
 the Ship, he reply'd he was ; then pray Sir, Said I to him, lett 
 me be Sattisfied whether you are Surveyor of Leigh, or not. 
 Sir, Said he to me, there's my Boat, pointing to the Side of the 
 Ship. I answer'd that was not Sattisfaction enough for me, 
 for that any body might get a Custom house boat and do mischief 
 with her, that Severall people had broke Prison lately, and as far 
 as I knew he might be one of them. And told him I must be 
 farther Sattisfied, or otherwise would confine him. I Desir'd 
 he would Shew me his Deputation, he told me he would not, 
 that he was as good a man as I was, either there or a Shore. I 
 Answer'd, well if you are you Shall Shew me your Deputation, or 
 Otherwise I Shall put you in Irons ; he told me I might, for he 
 would not Shew it me, then Said I, I can't beleive you to be Sur- 
 veyor of Leigh, and Order'd him in Irons ; his Two friends told 
 me, they would Vouch for him ; I Answer'd, I had as much reason 
 to Suspect them as Bowen ; but by Seeing his Deputation would 
 convince me that he was Surveyor of Leigh, and they the persons 
 they Pretended to be, but I could not perswade him to Shew me 
 his Authority, so Order'd him to be put in the Bilboes ; And when 
 the Corporal was putting the Shackle on his Legg, he cry'd out 
 there was A hundred pounds for that Legg, which was told me, 
 then I said he should have Two, and put him in both Leggs. 
 The Master came to me and Said he was fully perswaded by the 
 Tidesmen, he was Surveyor of Leigh, and desir'd I would release 
 him, which I did, his confinement was not above Ten Minutes, 
 but after he was releas'd he went to the Master's Cabbin to his 
 Friends, and Stay'd there, when he might have gone away. 
 
Appendix One 341 
 
 And I presume it Not likely that he was going upon Duty, when 
 the People he had with him belonged to Leigh, one a Surgeon 
 as he pretended to be, the other a Constable. As to my Striking 
 him its utterly false, and likewise to my Saying the Comm^^ 
 of his Majesties Customs were Rogues and as great Rogues as 
 himself, thats only to give a Gloss to his Complaint ; for I hope 
 it appears to the Rt. Honourable the Lords of the Admiralty, 
 that I have allways had a greater regard for his Majesties Intrest, 
 than to Abuse and Villify those Commissioners that his Majesty 
 is pleas'd to Intrust with so great a Branch of his Revenue, as the 
 
 Customs J^ j' I hope neither the Rt. Hon^'® the Lords 
 
 of the Admiralty, or Treasury will beleive me guilty of So 
 much ill manners. I wrote the Comm'^ of the Customs as soon as 
 I had any intimation of complaint against me, and indeed, thought 
 their prosecution had been drop't till Saturday the Tenth Instant 
 I had a Subpena Sent me to Appear at Westminster. This Sir 
 is the Truth. Bowen has endeavour'd to make me very Odious 
 to the Comm'^ of the Customs as a person Obnoxious to the 
 Government, but I defy any one Custom house Officer to Say 
 in the whole Course of my commanding in his Maties Service, 
 that I ever Obstructed them in their duty. And even himself 
 had done Searching the Ship before I questioned his power, and 
 my reason of questioning him was Occasioned by his ill Treatment 
 to me. And I know not which way we are to be Sattisfied, that 
 they are officers, but by their Deputations. And as I am Answer- 
 able for damages that may Accrue to his Majesties Ship while 
 I have the Comand of her, So I hope their Lordships will think 
 it but reasonable, that I Should be Sattisfied, when any Officer 
 does come on board, by Seeing the power they have for Executing 
 their Office. Otherwise his Maties Ships may be lyable to very 
 great Inconveniences, And I hope my Lords of the Admiralty 
 will have a more favourable Opinion of me, than to think I would 
 do any thing prejudiciall to his Majesties Service ; And as the 
 Comm" of his Majesties Customs are for protecting their officers 
 in the Due Execution of their duty, I hope the Lords of the Ad- 
 miralty will not Suffer the Captains of his Majesties Ships to be 
 insulted by Such Officers. I can't think but every Gentleman, 
 when they consider the Charge a Captain of One of his Majesties 
 Ships has upon him, but will allow it reasonable that he Should 
 be Sattisfied when any body (lett them be Custom house officers 
 or others) comes on board. Since he is Answerable for all Mis- 
 demeanours comitted on board. This I begg you'l be pleas'd 
 
342 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 to lay before the Rt. Hon^^^ the Lords Commissioners of the 
 Admiralty with the other Papers inclos'd. Bowen, in his deposition 
 would give the Comm" of the Customs to think that the Barke 
 he had Seiz'd was mine, because he Says, that when he told me 
 he had Seiz'd Some Barke, that I should reply I had more ; but 
 he himself very well knows the Bark was not mine. And I can 
 Safely Swear that I paid duty for all I brought home. If I had 
 had any design of Running my Barke, I beleive I could have found 
 Opportunity, but it was never my intention. But Bowen's 
 Character is pretty well known, and therefore I hope what he 
 says will be no prejudice to mine. I must farther Observe, what 
 happen'd between Bowen and I was on the Twenty Second of 
 May, and he does not form his AfRdavitt till the 7th of June. 
 So that all that time, he and his friends were premeditating 
 what to say I have not to add, but am, 
 
 Hon^^« Sir, 
 
 Your most Obedient Servant, 
 
 J. Balchen. 
 
 The " other papers " that were " inclos'd " were testimonies 
 from persons who had been on board the Diamond on the evening 
 of May the 22nd ; the master, the surgeon, the steward and a 
 seaman who had " Stood Centinell " at the open door of the 
 captain's cabin during the warmest part of the altercation, and 
 who makes oath, as does the steward, who went in and out, that 
 he saw no blow struck and no sword drawn. The statement of 
 the master, written in a crabbed, almost mediaeval hand, sets 
 forth that Bowen employed insolent expressions to the captain, 
 whereby he, in turn, was " moved to speak somewhat warmly 
 to him," but that the master's request for the release of the 
 indiscreet Bowen was received " mildly." After the release 
 Murdock, the master, who must, I think, have been a Scotchman, 
 " laboured," in the company of Bowen's two friends, " till I had 
 argued Mr. Bowen into a calm temper," the method employed 
 being apparently that of pointing out how very much Bowen 
 was in the wrong not to produce his authority, if he had it upon 
 him, or not to carry it about if he had not. " I desired hee would 
 quitt all resentment of what had happened " and " requested 
 it might go no further." Both the companions of Bowen, 
 Murdock declared, acknowledged that the captain treated them 
 
Appendix One 343 
 
 with " good manners and respect " until Bowen exhibited 
 " haughty behaviour and insolent langwadge." Nobody suggests 
 in any of these documents that the " Small Boul of Punch " could 
 have had any share in setting up the dispute, but Bowen's sudden 
 determination to search the ship, his resenting the presence of 
 the master and the causeless change of his tone from the amical 
 to the quarrelsome all look rather like the conduct of a man some- 
 what overcome by drink. 
 
 The Lords of the Admiralty stood stoutly by their own man, 
 and in forwarding the papers to the Treasury addressed to that 
 department the following letter by the hand of their secretary : 
 
 I am, in addition to what is said in these Papers in the Captain's 
 Behalf, directed by my Lords Com*"^ of the Admty to acquaint 
 you, that They were Surprised when this complaint came against 
 him, he being a Sober Man, of honest Principles to the Govern- 
 ment, and One who hath always behaved himself so as not to give 
 any Grounds for Exceptions. I am also Order'd further to 
 acquaint you, that their Lordships have long since given Orders 
 to the Captains of his Majesty's Ships to permit the officers of 
 the Customs to search them, and hope the Commiss" of the Cus- 
 toms have given directions to them to behave themselves mannerly 
 and civilly to the Captains of his Majesty's Ships, when they 
 shall be so doing their Dutys. 
 
 From all which it seems pretty safe to conclude that Mr. 
 Surveyor Bowen did not obtain that solatium of " A hundred 
 pounds " for the injury of having had a shackle placed upon his 
 " Legg." 
 
APPENDIX II 
 
 IN the year 1748 James Balchen wrote to George Cumber- 
 land, who had the year before married his sister, and en- 
 closed in his letter the copy of one which he had addressed 
 to the English Resident at Bremen, and which runs as 
 follows : 
 
 Bremen. 8. 'Jan. 1748. 
 
 Being a subject to his Most Gracious Majesty the King of 
 Great Britain, I take the Liberty to acquaint Your Excellence 
 with the following unfortunate Accident which I have met with, 
 and hope that if it is in Your Power Your Excellence will 
 Assist me. 
 
 I am an Apprentice to a Merchant in the City of London, 
 and have come to this place to learn the German Language, for 
 this purpose I was with a Clergyman at a place Calld Oberneuland, 
 about a Dutch Mile from the City of Bremen, and being in the 
 begining of Last October in the house of the Clerk of the parish, 
 and having a Gun loaded hanging over my Shoulder (as I had that 
 Morning been a Shooting) it Unfortunately Whent off, and 
 Wounded the Wife of this Person through the Side of her Thigh 
 — I have done all that was in my power to Assist this Woman 
 Under her Misfortune, and it has Already Cost me more than 
 90 D [dollars ?] I have offer'd the Husband of the Person to whom 
 this Accident happned 5 [or, it may be, 15] Grote pr. Day for his 
 Wife, till she was Intirely Recover'd, in presence of the Clergy- 
 man I live with, who will be a Witness (as he is sensible of the 
 Justness of my Proceeding) that this Person gave me his hand over 
 the Table and agreed with me in his Presence, to accept of this 
 my Offer — But by the Instigation of some Persons who have put 
 in this Man's head that it is easily for him to make a Good Advan- 
 tage of this Misfortune, as I am an Englishman, therefore this 
 Person has protested against this Agreement, and altho I have 
 asked him many Times to Acquaint me how much he Demanded, 
 I could never gett an Answer, and Notwithstanding what I have 
 Already paid in this affair, and that I have never Denied this 
 
 344 
 
Appendix Two 343 
 
 Man any Reasonable Assistance, I was Arrested Last Monday, 
 between lo and 1 1 at Night, in a most shamefull Manner, by three 
 Soldiers (at the aforesaid Clergeman's House) by the Orders 
 of the Magistrates of this City, (altho I have been 111, and had 
 then a Physician to attend me) and the Next Morning Early, 
 brought from thence, without knowing the Reason, and had it 
 not been for a Merchant here, who is bound for 300 D. to DeHver 
 my Person when Demanded, I must have been still Under Con- 
 finement. What I think is very strange in this proceeding I have 
 never been examined, since I have been Arrested which is now 
 almost a Week, and notwithstanding my Endeavours, cannot find 
 it possible to Vindicate my self in Person before the Magistrates 
 of this City, which is very hard. 
 
 I am Informd that I must pay 500 more to the Man, and 50 D. 
 to the Magistrates altho it was an accident which pleasd God, 
 and not owing to any Neglect, this has been Affirm'd by the 
 Woman her self, to me and to the Magistrates of the City who 
 Come to her the next Day, after the Accident happned, she then 
 Declar'd to him, that I was noways to Blame for this Accident, 
 as the Gun whent off in a very Unaccountable Manner, as it 
 hung by the Strap over my shoulder and he took down the Same 
 in Writing. I hope I am not liable to the same punishment as if 
 I had Done this with Intent, and shou'd think that to be pros- 
 tituted [prosecuted] in this Manner like a Common Criminal 
 is very hard. 
 
 I must now beg if it is possible that Your Excellence will 
 Assist me, and if it is in Your Power, to write a Letter to the 
 Magistracy here, or to represent my Case in England. 
 
 I sho'd have been farr from Troubling Your Excellence, in 
 this affair, had it not been for the hard Usage I have mett with, 
 notwithstanding I have Indeavour'd to the Utmost of my Power 
 to Do Justice, which many People here are sensible of, but are 
 affraid to speak their Minds. 
 
 The Woman is now almost Recovered, and I have the Surgeons 
 Attestation (to whom I have paid 56 D for this Cure) that she 
 will have no Lameness, but will be as well as ever, and therefore 
 after what I have Already Done I much [or must] Wonder at this 
 Base Usage, altho it is now more than 9 Weeks since the Accident 
 happned, and have never thought of Absconding, which I co'd 
 Easily have done Long Since, but the Reason of their Usage is, 
 that this Person wo'd Indeavour to Make his Fortune with this 
 my Unhappy Accident which has befallen me, he being very much 
 in Debt, 
 
346 The Cumberland Letters 
 
 I must likewise Inform Your Excellence that my Friend the 
 Merchant, was Oblig'd to pay the Soldiers, which Arrested me, 
 and for the Commission which allow'd me to give Bail before I 
 could be set at Liberty. Now I hope Your Excellence will take 
 this my affair Under Your Favourable Consideration, and Assist 
 an English man in Distress, and shall as in Duty Bound, be ever 
 Oblig'd to Acknowledge the Favour from &c. 
 
 The end of James Balchen's unpleasant adventure remains 
 unrecorded. Evidently George Cumberland and his sons after 
 him preserved his letter, which forms the first item in the collec- 
 tion of family correspondence. James did not live many years 
 longer, but died of consumption, a disease very prevalent in his 
 family, at the age of twenty-four. 
 
Index 
 
 Abergavenny, 332 
 
 Abingdon, 63, 163 
 
 Adams, Mr., 313 
 
 Adderly, Mr., 145, 147 
 
 Alconbury Hill, 106 
 
 Ampney Crucis, 296 
 
 Apnce, Susan, 17 
 
 Ashby, George, 13, 26, 28, 29, 35, 
 
 109, ?i5i 
 Ashby, Mrs., 28, 51 
 Asserby, 109 
 Austin Friars, 102 
 
 Balchen, Ann (Nancy), 42, 63, 135, 
 
 150, 151, 154,251 
 Balchen, Admiral Sir John, 15-18 
 Balchen, William, 16 
 Balchen, Captain William, 63 
 Balchen, Miss Mary, 93, 96, 187, 
 
 202, 203, 237, 257, 265, 266, 279, 
 
 283, 297, 301, 302, 305, 308, 
 
 324-6, 329, 337 
 Balchen, John, 30, 36, yj, 142, 147, 
 
 148, 153, 219, 297, 337 
 Balchen, John, junior, 164, 177, 
 
 181, 185, 202, 203, 209, 223, 
 
 283-6, 289-91, 297, 301, 302; 
 
 letter to R. D. Cumberland, 
 
 272 
 Balchen, Miss Sally (Mrs. Read), 
 
 63, 64, 90, 150, 220, 243, 257, 
 
 283, 299, 300 
 Balchen, Miss Susan, 93, 177, 183, 
 
 202, 203, 209, 217 
 Ball, Mr., 109 
 Banks, Mrs., 225 
 Banks, Mr., sculptor, 268, 307 
 Barkway, 67 
 Barnsley (Yorks), 24 
 Barnsley (Glos), 181 
 Barnstaple, 307 
 Barry, James, painter, 268 
 Bath, 149, 170, 171, 174, 194, 216, 
 
 218, 222, 230, 240 
 Bathurst, Lord, 267 
 
 Baxter, Mr. and Mrs., 181, 182 
 Beaufort, Duke and Duchess of, 
 
 267 
 Bell, Mr., 105, 294, 295 
 Bellamont, Lord, 47 
 Bentley, Joanna, 13 
 Berkley, Mr., 269 
 Bethnal Green Church, 8 1 
 Birmingham, 286 
 Bishopstoke, 289 
 Blackmore, Mr., 59 
 Blackwell, Mr., 171, 197, 198 
 Blount, Lady, 19 
 Boston, Mass., 57, 60, 298 
 Boulter, Mrs. («/<? Cradoc), 19 
 Boulton, Mr., 326 
 Bourton, W., 172, 173 ^ 
 Bradgate Park, 109 
 Bradney, Mr., 326 
 Bray, Dr., 71, 73, 74, 117, 1 18, 122, 
 
 124-6, 129 
 Breedon, Rev., 282, 324, 331, 334, 
 
 337 
 Brighthelm stone, 113 
 
 Bristol, 113, 320 
 
 Bromsgrove, 288 
 
 Brooks, Mr., 23-5 
 
 Broussoneh, 315 
 
 Brown, Mr. Attorney, 48 
 
 Brush, Wm., 172, 199 
 
 Burgoyne, Gen., 157 
 
 Burnaby, Rev., 108, 109 
 
 Burney, Fanny, 13 
 
 Bury St. Edmunds, 231, 248, 257, 
 
 279,282,283, 331 
 Buscot (Buscott), 66, 134, 136, 163, 
 
 169, 230, 240, 243, 248, 258, 270, 
 
 319 
 Buxton, 287 
 
 Byrom, John, 13 
 
 Cadiz, 297 
 
 Calthorp, Mrs., 245 
 
 Camber well, 62, 202, 236-9, 245 
 
 347 
 
348 
 
 Index 
 
 Cambridge, 26, 35, 38, 41, 45, 46, 
 51,56,60,66, 67, 69, 70, 75, 79, 
 81, 82, 95, 100, 103, 105, 109, 
 136, 176, 209, 211, 257 
 
 Cambridge, Magdalen Coll., 29, 
 
 33, 55, 102 
 
 Cambridge, Trinity, 29, 51, 114 
 
 Cambridge, Caius, 102 
 
 Cam Court, 121 
 
 Campbell, Mrs., 319, 320 
 
 Cant, Mr. and Mrs., 107, 109 
 
 Carbin, Capt., 297 
 
 Carpentor, Gen., 139 
 
 Carshalton, 90, 141 
 
 Carter, Mrs., 278, 279 
 
 Cater (or Cator), Mr., M.P., 329, 332 
 
 Chapman, Mr., 92 
 
 Chatham, 288, 289 
 
 Chatterton, Thomas, 315 
 
 Chelsea, 278 
 
 Cheltenham, 286 
 
 Cherrington, Mr., 326, 327, 330 
 
 Cheshunt, 59 
 
 Chesterfield, Lord, " Letters,^' 75 
 
 Chester, Mr., M.P., 124, 269, 270 
 
 Chesterford, 59 
 
 Church Court, Clements Lane, 255 
 
 Cirencester, 118,120, 121, 123, 127, 
 131, 142, 143, 151, 157, 162-4, 
 172, 183, 193, 200, 214, 219, 222, 
 230, 244-6, 259, 272, 293, 332 
 
 Clarendon, Lord, 296 
 
 Clark, Mr. J,, 300 
 
 Clavey, Mr., 74 
 
 Clay, Mr., 331 
 
 Cleveland, Mr., 308 
 
 Clift, Mr., 87, 88 
 
 Clifton, 284 
 
 Clifton, Hot Wells, 284 
 
 Cogan, Dr., 89, 90 
 
 Coleraine, Lady, 127, 197, 198, 271 
 
 Coleraine, Lord, 171, 194 
 
 CoUins, Richard, 237, 241, 255,290 
 
 Cook, Captain, 277 
 
 Cooper, Mr., 28, 327 
 
 Copley, John Singleton, painter, 
 
 234, 300 
 
 Corderoy, Mr., 188 
 
 Cotton, Thomas, 17,21,28,84, 115, 
 277 ; letters to George Cumber- 
 land, 21, 23 
 
 Covent Garden Theatre, 175 
 
 Cowes, 289 
 
 Coxe, William, 334 
 
 Cradoc, Richard, 15 
 
 Cradoc, Miss, 16, 18 
 
 Crockett, Mr. (or Crickett), 329, 
 
 331 
 Cross, Richard, M.P., 10, 19, 22, 41, 
 
 43, 47, 66, 91, 92, 95, 1 15-7, 146, 
 
 148, 149, 153, 169, 177, 208, 209, 
 
 211, 215, 219, 229, 230, 271, 295, 
 
 331, 337 
 Cross, Miss, 273 
 
 Cripps, Mr. J., 284 
 
 Cumberland, Dennison, Bp. of 
 
 Kilmore, 13,35,38,45,54,72 
 Cumberland, Elizabeth, nie Bal- 
 chen, Mrs. (mother to Richard 
 and George D.), 10, 18, 19, 24, 
 26, 27, 37, 42, 49, 63, 129, 135, 
 140, 155, 164, 185, i86, 193, 199, 
 200, 203, 206, 209, 215, 219, 220, 
 223, 227-30, 236, 243, 247, 257, 
 261, 273, 275-7, 279, 293, 295, 
 296, 297, 300, 305, 312, 318, 323, 
 328 
 
 Letters — 
 To R. D. Cumberland, 62 
 „ George Cumberland, 150, 
 160 
 Cumberland, George, Letters — 
 To Mary Balchen, 308 
 „ Mrs. George Cumberland, 
 
 318 
 „ R. D. Cumberland, 56, 70, 
 76, 85, 87, 95, loi, 104, 137, 
 139, 143, 144, 147, 151, 154, 
 155, 165, 169, 173, 181, 187, 
 213, 218, 232, 261, 268, 287, 
 326,331,335,338 
 „ Mrs. Sarah Cumberland, 306 
 „ Mr. Kekewich, 317 
 „ Mrs. Marriot, 20 
 „ Miss Townsend, iii, 158, 
 
 175 
 „ Mr. Wiblin, 314 
 
 Cumberland, George, '' money 
 
 scrivener," 11 
 Cumberland, George, father of 
 
 Richard Dennison and George, 
 
 15, 18, 19 
 Cumberland, John, publisher of 
 
 Cumberland's British Theatre^ 14 
 Cumberland, John, inventor, 14 
 Cumberland, John, Captain of the 
 
 "Astorley," 14, 293 
 Cumberland, John, younger brother 
 
 of Richard and George Denni- 
 son, 19 
 
Index 
 
 349 
 
 Cumberland, Martha, sister of Rich- 
 ard, G. Dennison and John, 19 
 
 Cumberland, Richard, Bp. of Peter- 
 borough, II, 12, 45 
 
 Cumberland, Richard, Archdeacon 
 of Northampton, 12 
 
 Cumberland, Richard, dramatist, 
 13, 28, 35, 37, 54, 146, 160, 176, 
 226, 227, 252, 267 ; Battle of Hast- 
 ings^ 176; Calypso^ 227 ; Tarquin 
 and Lucrece^ 252 
 Letters — 
 
 To Mrs. George Cumberland, 
 
 19 
 „ R. D. Cumberland, 26 
 „ Mr. Ashby, 36 
 Cumberland, Mrs. Richard, 160 
 Cumberland, Richard Dennison 
 Letters — 
 To George Cumberland, 23, 25, 
 28, 29, 32, 39, 41, 44, 46, 47, 
 58,66,71,74, 86,91,97,102, 
 105, 116, 122, 161, 170, 176, 
 192, 204, 207, 215, 220, 229, 
 231, 242, 258, 274, 286, 289, 
 
 294, 319, ZIZ 
 
 „ Mrs. George Cumberland, 
 124, 130 
 Cumberland, Sarah, 11, 21, 62, 63, 
 234i 294, 306, 312, 323, 325, 327, 
 
 330 
 Cumberland, William, drysalter, 14 
 
 Dartford, 289 
 
 Dawkins, Mr., 201, 219, 227, 245 
 
 Dawkins, Lady Julia, 201 
 
 Deighton, Mr., 31 
 
 Denison (or Dennison), Elizabeth, 
 12 
 
 Denison, Mrs., 24 
 
 Denmark Hill, 239 
 
 Dillon, Mr., 141 
 
 Docker, Mr., 281, 282 
 
 Dod, Mr., 86, 87 
 
 Dodd, Dr., 135 
 
 Dodsley, Richard, 286 
 
 Driffield, 114, 116, 120-9, 132, 
 133, 140-2, 159, 160, 162-4, 
 170-2, 175, 176-80, 193, 196, 
 200, 203, 206, 209, 211-3, 225, 
 229, 231, 235, 237, 239, 240, 243, 
 244, 258, 260, 263, 265, 267, 271, 
 276, 277, 286, 288, 293, 297, 301, 
 306, 316, 325, 331, 332, 335 
 
 Drury Lane Theatre, 91 
 
 Dutton, Mr., 269, 270, 274 
 
 Duxford, 91, 122 
 
 Dyer, Rev. Wm., 1 18-120, 127, 258, 
 259, 289; letter to R. D. Cum- 
 berland, 118 
 
 Dyer, Mr., 258, 259 
 
 Easington, 123 
 
 Eastwick, 58, 59 
 
 Ekins, Mr., 41, 44, 64, 80-82, 85, 
 
 87* 92, 95, 96-8, 100, III, 146, 
 
 149, 167, 170, 200, 206 
 Ekins, Jack, 100, loi 
 
 „ Miss, 219, 224 
 EUore Garrison, 21, 23 
 Ewen, 244 
 Exon (Exeter), 210 
 
 Fairford, 162, 294 
 
 Falmouth, 88 
 
 Farebrother, Rev., 212 
 
 Farringdon, 203 
 
 Fenning, Mr., 88 
 
 Ferguson, Adam, 315 
 
 Foote's Theatre, 88, 90 
 
 Forster, Mr., 310 
 
 Fox, Charles James, 324 
 
 Franklin, Dr. Benjamim, 321, 322 
 
 Friday Street, 127, 242, 255 
 
 Gale, Mr., 201 
 
 Galli, Signor, 106 
 
 Garrick, David, 35, 98, 225 
 
 Gates, Mr., City Marshal, 78 
 
 Gedge, Mr., 281-3 
 
 Gibbons, Mr., 114 
 
 Gilpin, Mr., 120 
 
 Gipps, Mr., 32 
 
 Gloucester, 131, 186, 228, 233, 287, 
 288 
 
 Gooch, John, of Boston, 15, 20, 'jd^ 
 I33> 234, 298, 329; letters to 
 George Cumberland, 57, 60, 298 
 
 Gooch, Mary, Mrs., 15, 234, 236, 
 
 299» 300, 329 
 Gordon, Lord George, 261 
 Gosport, 292 
 Gravesend, 288 
 Green, Mrs., 51 
 
 „ Mr. and Mrs., 256 
 Green, Miss Sally, 231, 235, 236, 
 
 247, 248, 252, 255, 279, 281, 283 ; 
 
 letters to George Cumberland, 
 
 252, 255, 279, 281 
 
350 
 
 Index 
 
 Greenwell, Mrs., 25 
 
 Gribble, F. H., 308 ; letter to Mr. 
 
 Kekewich, 307 
 Guernsey, 17 
 
 Hackman, Mr., 229 
 
 Hackney, 337 
 
 Hagley, 287 
 
 Hale, Miss, 222 
 
 Ham, III, 117, 118, 121 
 
 Hanbury, Mr., 119 
 
 Hankel, Mr. Abraham, 62 
 
 Harlow, 88 
 
 Harnhill, 114, 121, 124, 126, 129, 
 
 170-2, 175, 178, 195, 199, 203, 
 
 296, 298 
 Harris, Dr., 323, 326 
 Harrison, Mr., 297 
 Harvey, Dr., 245 
 Haselbrach, 109 
 Heming, Mr., 245 
 Henckell, Mr., 85, 86 
 Henderson, Mr. and Mrs., 252, 267 
 Herschel, Sir William, 313 
 Hertford, 75 
 Hewlings, H., 172, 199 
 Hey, Mr., 208 
 Hicks, J., 172 
 Higgenson, Dr., 245 
 Highmore, Mr., 253, 256 
 Hinchinbroke, 106, 228 
 Hockrill, 59, 88 
 Hodson (Hoddesdon), 59 
 Holl, Mr., 252 
 Hoole, Mr., 277 
 Hornsey (Hornsea), 203 
 Howe, Lord, 157 
 Howell, Mr. J., 127, 161, 170-3, 
 
 193, 194, 196, 197, 200, 259, 260 
 Howell, H., 172, 197, 200 
 Howell, Alice, 258 
 Hubberd, Miss, 319 
 Huntingdon, 106 
 
 Ickleton, 99, loi 
 Ipswich, 281, 329, 332 
 Ireland, John, 252, 267 
 Irvine, Mr., 270, 278 
 Islington, 203 
 
 James, John, 99, 100, 102, 103, no, 
 III, 113, 114, u6, 120, 121, 124, 
 128, 133, 163, 174, 187, 203, 219, 
 296 ; letter to R. D. Cumberland, 
 137 
 
 James, Joseph, 116, 137, 163 
 James, Rev., 106, 109, I74) 286, 
 
 ?3i9 
 Jebb, Dr., 320 
 
 Joachim, Mr., 92-4 
 
 Johnson, Samuel, 268 
 
 Johnson, Mr., 135, 329 
 
 Kekewich, Mr., 87, 206, 307, 316 
 Kent, Captain, 80 
 Keppenfelt, Admiral, 290, 292 
 Kidderminster, 287 
 Kingsland, 58, 67 
 Kingston, 95 
 Knox, Mr., 85, 86 
 
 Lambert, Mr. and Mrs., 176, 269 
 Leasowers, The, 286 
 Leckhamsteed (Leckhampstead), 
 
 213 
 Leeds, 23, 25 
 Leicester, 24, 109 
 Lewis, Mr., 319 
 Lichfield, 246 
 Linton, 80 
 
 Long, Charles, 287, 309, 332 
 Long, George, 201 
 Long, Mr., 22, 66, 71, 90, 115, 141, 
 
 148, 149, 169, 173, 176, 201, 208, 
 
 215, 216,218, 219, 223, 236, 310 
 Long, Mrs., 91, 186, 219, 222, 223 
 Long, Richard, 163, 169, 176, 178, 
 
 184, 185, 208, 209, 211, 217-9, 
 
 232, 242, 243 
 Long, Samuel, 163 
 Long, William, 173, 218, 219, 242, 
 
 243 
 Longmire, 80' 
 
 Loughborough, 109 
 
 Loveden, Mr., 134, 136, 230, 242, 
 
 243, 248, 270, 274, 307 
 Loveden, Mrs., 163, 319 
 Lucas, Mr. W., 65, 82, 103 ; letter 
 
 to George Cumberland, 103, 210 
 Lundy Island, 307, 308 
 Lupton, Mr., 25 
 Lyttleton, Lord, 287 
 
 Mahon, Lord, 324 
 Maidstone, 232, 235 
 Main waring, Mrs., 240 
 Malvern, 287 
 Man, Fanny, 329 
 Man, Harry, 68, 1 30 
 Man, James, 153 
 
Index 
 
 351 
 
 Man, John, sen., 129 
 
 Man, John, 83, 133 
 
 Man, Mary {n^e Balchen), 18, 63, 
 
 130, 133, 135 
 Manners, Lady, 139 
 Mansfield, 24 
 Margate, 308 
 
 Marriott, Mrs,, 15, 20, 299, 329 
 Martin, Mr., 41 
 Marylebone Gardens, 90 
 Matthews, Mr., 176 
 Medway, 288, 289 
 Melton Mowbray, 107, 109 
 Mickle, Mr., 277 
 Middleton, Mr., 330 
 Mole, Mrs., 55, 234, 236, 293, 294, 
 
 302, 325, 338 
 Monboddo, Lord, 337 
 Montesquieu, 315 
 More, Hannah, 175 
 Mores, Dr., 41, 43-5 
 Morley, Mr., 237 
 Mountsorrel, 109 
 
 Nap (or Napp), Mr. and Mrs., 106 
 Nap, Miss, 190 
 Napper, Mr., 141, 145 
 Newington, 164, 187, 237, 239, 260, 
 
 297, 325 
 NichoUs, Mr., 193, 197 
 
 Nichetts, Mr., 197 
 
 Nore, The, 288 
 
 Norris, Mr., 310 
 
 North Tawton, 211 
 
 Northampton, 24 
 
 Norwich, 256 
 
 Oakham, 107 
 Omiah, Prince, 67 
 Oxford, 71, 73» 121, 135, 163, 168, 
 173, 176, 201, 211, 233, 242, 243 
 Oxford, Lincoln Coll., 65 
 
 Paice, Mr. N., 245 
 Paradise, 193 
 Parsons, Mr., 245 
 Pays de Vaud, 334 
 Pebsmarsh, 80, 82, loi 
 Pepys, Samuel, 11, 12 
 Pepys, " Pall," 1 1 
 Peters, Lord, 261 
 Petty, Miss, 28 
 Petty, Mr. and Mrs., 50, 237 
 Portsmouth, 20 r, 289, 290 
 Prescot, Mr., 286 
 
 Preston, 120 
 
 Price, Dr., 268 
 
 Price, Mr., 230 
 
 Purkis, Mr., 31, 33, 34, 37, 38, 40, 
 
 45, 46, 51, 73, 107 ; letters to Mr. 
 
 Tapp, 33 
 
 Rainer, Mr., 92 
 
 Ranelagh, 121, 279 
 
 Rawbone, Mr., 243 
 
 Ray, Miss, 106, 228 
 
 Read, Mr., 64, 141, 223, 245, 251, 
 
 266 
 Read, Mrs. See Balchen, Sally 
 Richmond, Duke of, 261 ^ 
 Richmond, 215, 275, 276, 279 ^^^ 
 Ridge, Miss Elizabeth, 14 
 Rochester, 289 
 Romney, George, 13 
 Rothley, 109 
 Rottingdean, 139 
 " Royal George," 290-3 
 
 St. Clement's coffee house, 168 
 
 Salonica, 316 
 
 Salt, Mr., 139 
 
 Sandwich, Lord, 228 
 
 Sanford (Sandford), Dr., 218, 296 
 
 Sancho, 267 
 
 Savile, Sir G., 261 ) 
 
 Serocold, Mr., 65 
 
 Sheerness, 288, 289 
 
 Sheffield, 24 
 
 Shelburne, Lord, 261 
 
 Sheldon, Mr., 41, 44 
 
 Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 268 
 
 Slade, Mr., 323, 326, 338 
 
 Small, Miss Betsy, 56, 127 
 
 Small, Mr. and Mrs., 140, 190-3, 
 197, 198, 201, 205 
 
 Small, Jack, 140, 193, 197 
 
 Small, Joe, 269, 270 
 
 Smeathman, Mr., 267, 314, 321, 
 323 ; letter to George Cumber- 
 land, 321 
 
 Smith, Dr., 301 
 
 Smith, Mr. Thos., surgeon, 10, 
 24, 25, 46, 47, 56, 64, 66, 70-4, 
 
 82, 96, 97, III, 113, 114, 117, 
 119, 120, 124, 131, 141, 145, 149, 
 156, 159-61, 163, 168-73, 186, 
 189-200, 202, 205, 206, 242-5, 
 248, 269-70, 273, 274 
 Smith, Mrs., 47, 113, 120, 168, 190, 
 191, 226, 243 
 
352 
 
 Index 
 
 Smith, Mr., Fellow of Magdalen 
 
 Coll., 67 
 Solander, Dr., 267 
 Son, Charles (? or Charleson), Mr., 
 
 139 
 Southampton Buildings, 181 
 
 Southampton, 2 59, 289, 292 
 
 Sparks, Mr., 28 
 
 Sparks, Miss, 250 
 
 Spithead, 290 
 
 Sprawton, Mrs., 127, 142, 150, 155, 
 
 174 
 Squires, Mr., of Caius, 32, 102 
 
 Stamford, 106, 107 
 
 Stamford Hill, 59, 89 
 
 Stansted, 59, no 
 
 Storer, Mr., 313 
 
 Stotherd, 289 
 
 Stow, 212, 213 
 
 Swasy, 89 
 
 Swindon, 121 
 
 Symonds, Mr., 88 
 
 Taplow, 337 
 
 Tapp, Mr., 10, 24, 25, 28, 33-8, 
 46-8, 62, 74, 93, 113, 126, 128-30, 
 141, 145, 147, 148, 150, 151, 153-6, 
 163, 164, 186, 189-91, 199, 220, 
 229, 230, 266, 297, 301, 302, 324, 
 
 337 
 Tassie, Mr., 226 
 Teagel [PSeagel], 174, 227 
 Tewkesbury, 286 
 Therrys, Lord, 182 
 Thompson, Susan («/<? Balchen), 
 
 18 
 Thurlow, Lord, 296 
 Ticonderaga, 135 
 Timbrel, Mr., 119, 120, 127, 143, 
 
 171, 174,329 
 Timbrell, Molly, 162, 207, 222, 288 
 
 Timbrell, Sukey, 244, 288 
 
 Timbrell, Robert, 244, 245 
 
 Townley, Mr,, 237, 267, 318, 323, 
 327, 331, 335 
 
 Townsend, Miss, 1 11, 115, 1 34, 136, 
 151, 157, 159, 162, 164, 169, 174, 
 181-4, 186, 214, 216-8, 222,225, 
 230, 235, 240, 243, 248, 250, 263- 
 6, 284, 307, 319, 320, 329 
 
 Trollope, Capt, 288 
 
 Tyler, Wm., 123 
 
 Vauxhall, 64, 141, 203 
 Vechell, Mr., 92 
 Vigo, 16 
 
 Walpole, Horace, 226 
 Waltham, 59 
 
 Walton in the Willows, 231 
 Warburton, William, Bp. of Glou- 
 cester, 114 
 Ward, Mr., 92 
 Ware, 67 
 
 Warren, St. J., 308 
 Waters, Mr. J., 45, 46, 88 
 Weaver, Martha {nie Cumberland), 
 
 15 
 Webber, Mr., 277 
 
 Westminster, 237 
 
 Westnaby, 107, 108 
 
 Weyland, Mr., 95 
 
 Whitworth, Sir Charles, 139 
 
 Wiblin, Mr., 315 
 
 Wildman, of Holbourn, 245 
 
 Willis, Mr., 233 
 
 Wimbledon, 285 
 
 Winchelsea, Lord, 107 
 
 Winchester, 259, 289 
 
 Windsor, 320 
 
 Worcester, 286, 287 
 
 Wright, Mrs., 26 
 
 WILLIAM FRENDON AND SON, LTD. 
 PaiNTERS, PLYMOUTH 
 
AUTUMN 
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 NO. FIVE JOHN STREET, ADELPHI 
 LONDON. SEPTEMBER MGMXII 
 
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The Dramatic Works of 
 
 St. John Hankin 
 
 Edited, with a Critical and Biographical 
 
 Introduction 
 
 By JOHN DRINKWATER 
 
 THE plays of the late St. John 
 Hankin have won the approval 
 of the best critical opinion in England, 
 and they are steadily making for them- 
 selves an audience abroad. They possess 
 in a marked degree that rare quality of 
 style by virtue of which alone a play can 
 look for a more enduring success than 
 that of the brief popularity of the stage. 
 They are, in other words, not only drama 
 but literature. Many people will be 
 glad to possess the work of one of the 
 most brilliant and sincere of the modern 
 dramatists in a definitive library edition, 
 which will include a number of hitherto 
 uncollected essays on the theatre that 
 contain some of the author's most 
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 has been to analyse the dramatist's rela- 
 tion to the modern revival in the theatre. 
 The Edition will be in three 
 volumes, small quarto, bound in buck- 
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 tured ' for the work. It will be limited 
 in number to 1000 copies, 900 only of 
 which will be for sale in England and 
 
The Dramatic Works of St. John Hankin 
 
 the United States of America. The 
 type will be distributed* Each volume 
 will have a Frontispiece reproduced in 
 Photogravure. The volumes will not 
 be sold separately, and the price for the 
 set of three will be 21s. net. 
 
 CONTENTS 
 
 VOLUME ONE 
 
 Critical and Biographical Introduction 
 The Two Mr. Wetherbys 
 The Return of the Prodigal 
 
 VOLUME TWO 
 
 The Charity that Began at Home 
 The Cassilis Engagement 
 The Last of the De Mullins 
 
 VOLUME THREE 
 
 Thompson* 
 
 The Constant Lover 
 
 The Burglar that Failed 
 
 Essays : On Happy Endings 
 
 Puritanism and the English Stage 
 
 Bernard Shaw as Critic 
 
 An Art Theatre for London 
 
 The Collected Plays of Oscar Wilde 
 
 The Need for an Endowed Theatre 
 
 * This flay -was left unfinished and has been completed by 
 Mr, George Calderon. 
 
Carriages & Coaches 
 
 Their History and Their Evolution 
 By RALPH STRAUS 
 
 SEVERAL books have been written 
 upon the vehicle, but almost with- 
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 by coachbuilders or professional de- 
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 particularly interested in the purely 
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 the present volume Mr. Ralph Straus 
 tells the story, in rough chronological 
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 attempt has been made to present, so 
 far as is convenient^ the various manners 
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 certain sections will deal with the suc- 
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 The illustrations will be very numerous, 
 adequately supplementing Mr. Straus' 
 text, and no pains will be spared in the 
 production of a volume which should 
 prove of permanent historical value. 
 
 Medium Octavo (9J in. by 5| in.) 
 Price 18s. net 
 
The 
 
 Cumberland Letters 
 
 By CLEMENTINA BLACK 
 
 THE material from which the volume 
 is derived is an immense collection 
 of manuscript letters written to or by 
 the Cumberland brothers in the latter 
 years of the Eighteenth Century. Both 
 being industrious and vivacious letter- 
 writers, their correspondence gives a 
 first-hand picture of the life of the period, 
 in London, at the University, and at a 
 country parsonage. Their many vivid 
 little vignettes and their abundance of 
 curious detail are full of interest both for 
 the serious social historian and for the 
 reader in search mainly of amusement. 
 Until last year, when they were placed 
 in Miss Black's hands, the letters had 
 remained undisturbed since they were 
 written. The volume will be well illus- 
 trated from contemporary unpublished 
 portraits in the possession of the family 
 and elsewhere. 
 
 Medium Octavo (9J in by Sf in.) 
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Thomas Armstrong G.B. 
 
 A Memoir 
 
 THE late Thomas Armstrong, G.B., 
 himself an artist, was for many 
 years Director for Art at the South 
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 the book is formed by the autobiograph- 
 ical notes which he made in recent years, 
 and which deal largely with his life in 
 Paris at the time his life-long friendships 
 were made with George du Maurier, Sir 
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 Demy Octavo (9 in. by 5 J in.) 
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Thomas Hardy 
 
 A Critical Study 
 By LASGELLES ABERCROMBIE 
 
 MR. ABERCROMBIE'S book is 
 strictly critical, considering the 
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 to consider Mr. Hardy's place in 
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 as a poet. 
 
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William Morris 
 
 A Critical Study 
 By JOHN DRINKWATER 
 
 THIS volume, while considering 
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George Gissing 
 
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 APART from Mr. Thomas Seccombe's 
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 value of George Gissing's work. Mr. 
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 should prove of more than passing 
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Algernon Charles 
 Swinburne 
 
 A Critical Study. By EDWARD THOMAS 
 
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 aim is to define the emotional and 
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 think of a critic of the younger genera- 
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 by all lovers of good poetry and sound 
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 Demy Octavo (9 in. by 5 J in.) 
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Fountains in the Sand 
 
 Rambles among the Oases of Tunisia 
 By NORMAN DOUGLAS 
 
 EVEN in these days of easy travel 
 many districts still remain com- 
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 them. Mr. Norman Douglas' vivid 
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 is well illustrated with photographs taken 
 by the author. 
 
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Their United States 
 
 By ARNOLD BENNETT 
 
 IN this record of impressions of a visit 
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Peer Gynt 
 
 A New Translation 
 By R. ELLIS ROBERTS 
 
 PEER GYNT is Ibsen's greatest 
 work. At present it can only be 
 adequately known by those who can 
 read it in the original. Mr. Ellis Roberts' 
 version has had two aims : a strict keep- 
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 and rhythm of the poem. That his 
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 tor does not claim ; but he does claim that 
 it gives a better idea of the resonance 
 and swing of this magnificent drama 
 than previous translations, and, with less 
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 more than has here been done to erect 
 something in English as like, as the differ- 
 ent idioms will allow, to the splendour 
 and gaiety of Ibsen's masterpiece. 
 
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Kensington Rhymes 
 
 By GOMPTON MACKENZIE 
 Illustrated in Line & Colour by J. R. Monsell 
 
 THE many admirers of Mr, Compton 
 Mackenzie's versatility will wel- 
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 children's verse. The book is an un- 
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 from the child's point of view, and 
 those who remember in Carnival the 
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 and Kensington Rhymes should prove one 
 of the most popular gift-books of the 
 season. 
 
 Mr. Mackenzie's new novel will be 
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 Sinister Street. 
 
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 Price 5s. net. 
 
A New and Cheaper Edition 
 
 Leaders of the People 
 
 By JOSEPH CLAYTON 
 
 ANEW Edition at a popular price of a 
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 labours of many early and unsuccessful 
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 England. "Mr. Clayton's most interesting 
 
 volume," says The Nation, "is an inspiring 
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 Small Cr. 8vo. (7X in. by 5 in.) Price 2s. net. 
 
 THE CORONAL SERIES 
 
 THE initial volume of the series, from 
 which it takes its name, was L. M. 
 Lamont's anthology, published in 
 1910. Its aim is to present from time to time, 
 well-produced volumes of Belles Lettres, 
 drawn from new and copyright sources. The 
 books are issued in two styles, in limp cloth, 
 gilt, with coloured tops, at 2s. 6d. net, and in 
 cream buckram, full gilt, with gilt tops, at 
 3s- 6d. net. 
 
 Volumes already Published 
 
 I. A CORONAL L. M. Lamont 
 
 II. THE TENTH MUSE Edward Thomas 
 
 III. C ARMINA VARIA Kennett Burrow 
 
 IV. HIEROGLYPHICS Arthur Machen