To MANN 15 NOVEMBER 1764 263 being a foreigner would induce half this good town to supply the affidavit, without knowing anything of the matter.

Strawberry Hill, November 25th. I had locked up this letter in town and forgot it, when I went to Park Place.'4 It does not signify; my news were of no consequence, and may as well come a week later as not. Deon has been cited to receive his sentence in the King's Bench, but absconded.1* That Court issued a search warrant for him, and a house16 was broken open, but he was not there. Thus that interlude is almost concluded. Wilkes is, I hear, going to Italy,17 so you will probably see one of these Sacheverels.18 Sir Thomas Clarke,1 ° the Master of the Rolls, is dead, and makes some alteration in politics. Norton,20 a man whom the world has heard of, and I suppose you too, succeeds him,21 and Charles Yorke reaccepts the attorney-general's place22— This will decrease our ill-starred minority23 by some votes—but cannot pay its

14. With Guerchy, to visit Conway (HW 19. (ca 1703-64), Kt, 1754; Master of to Hertford g Nov. 1764). the Rolls 1754-64; M.P. St Michael 1747- 15. He was hiding in the house of an 54, Lostwithiel 1754-61 (G. P. Judd, Mem­ elderly French procuress named Dufour bers of Parliament 152). He died 13 Nov., (Archives des Affaires Fitrangeres, cited of an 'apoplectic fit on Sunday the 11th' by E. M. Vizetelly, True Story of the (Grenville Papers ii. 525). Chevalier d'£on, 1895, p. 189). 20. Sir Fletcher Norton, afterwards 16. The house of the Rev. Dr Eddowes Speaker of the House of Commons, and in Yard (ibid. 198). When it was Baron Grantley (HW). broken open, 20 Nov., by a search party, 21. Norton, who was approached by Mrs Eddowes stated that d'£on had been Grenville 16 Nov., agreed to vacate his gone 'more than two months' ( post to Charles Yorke in exchange for Chronicle 22-4 Nov., xvi. 498). that of Master of the Rolls; when Yorke 17. Wilkes wrote to Lord Temple from declined the offer (n. 22 below), Norton Boulogne 1 Nov. (Grenville Papers ii. 455); continued as attorney-general (until Aug. that he would 'quit the expensive and 1765), and Sir Thomas Sewell was ap­ luxurious Paris . . . cross the Alps, live pointed Master of the Rolls 4 Dec. (Gren­ quite alone in some town of Italy, neither ville Papers ii. 461-3, 523-30; London seen nor known, visiting nor visited, Chronicle 4-6 Dec, xvi. 537). boarding in a good family,' on whatever 22. So reported in the London Chron­ Cotes would send him, and employ him­ icle 15-17 Nov., xvi. 479. Yorke had asked self on a 'history of my own country since till the 21st to give an answer. He had been the Revolution' (of which he only wrote ready to accept the office of the Master of the introduction). He started in Decem­ the Rolls, on conditions made to Grenville ber for Italy. 15 Nov., which were turned down by 18. I.e. centres of political controversy, George III on the 16th (Grenville Papers ii. like Dr Sacheverell, whose preaching had 461-2, 525-7; BM Add. MSS 32964, ff. 60-78; led to his impeachment by the Whigs in post 20 Dec. 1764). 1709. Wilkes appeared in Florence early 23. Wilkes's supporters in Parliament in 1765 (post 9 Feb. 1765). D'£on was ex­ (ante 12 Dec. 1763). HW about this time pected (ibid.) but apparently never came. declined a request by John Almon, the