To CHARLES LYTTELTON 23 MARCH 1758 125 the learned world lost by your not having greater power of being a patron? It is believed that St Durham10 goes to Canterbury,11 and St Asaph12 follows him; I don't fancy St Asaph for you, but consider­ ing the ages of LondonJ3 and Winchester,14 can no regulation be made for you when those vacancies shall happen—why not get a promise? Cure your cough, be promised and be a Bishop15—so prays

Your affectionate Beadsman,

THE ABBOT OF STRAWBERRY

From LORD ROYSTON,1 ? late April 1758

Printed for the first time from the MS now WSL, acquired from Gabriel Wells in 1932; its earlier history is not known. Dated conjecturally by the reference to HW's 'present' (see n. 2 below).

IORD Royston presents his compliments to Mr Walpole, and re- j turns him many thanks for his most agreeable present,2 and for the honour he has done him.

10. Richard Trevor (1707-71), Bp of of Winchester 1734-61. The value of the Durham 1752-71. The value of the see see was £5,000 a year (ibid. i. 41). was £6,000 a year (ibid.). 15. Lyttelton became Bp of Carlisle in 11. Thomas Seeker (post 21 May 1758, 1762, at £1,300 a year (ibid. i. 35), but n. 3), Bp of Oxford, became Abp of never advanced to a more lucrative see. Canterbury 21 April 1758. 12. Robert Hay Drummond (1711-76), 1. Philip Yorke (1720-90), styled Vet Bp of St Asaph, 1748; of , June Royston 1754-64; 2d E. of Hardwicke, 1761; Abp of York, Oct. 1761. The value 1764; M.P. of the see of St Asaph was £1,400 a year 2. Possibly a presentation copy of HW's (Fortescue, op. cit. i. 42). Catalogue of the Royal and Noble Au­ 13. (1678-1761), Bp of thors of , which hefinished print ­ 1748-61. The value of the see was ing at the SH Press on 15 April 1758 £4,000 a year (ibid. i.38). (Hazen, SH Bibl. 35). 14. Benjamin Hoadley (1676-1761), Bp