you will approve the method here suggested of going to work in order thereto, is what I neither could nor would take upon me to say any thing to; but this far I have not scrupled to promise, which was particularly insisted on, that in case his Majesty did not relish this expedient, the proposal itself should be buried in oblivion. I have the honour to remain, with the greatest and unalterable respect, Sir, Your most obedient and most devoted humble servant, ARTHUR VIllettes. MR. PITT TO LADY HESTER PITT. MY SWEETEST LOVE, July 28, 1760. I HAVE but a few minutes to tell you, that the glorious event of the immortal hereditary Prince() is only known en gros, from his own laconic report in four lines to his uncle; but though short, it is sweet and certain: his words are, cinque battalions, le général Daubeitz, le prince d'Anhalt-Cothen, cannons, &c., tout est à nous les Anglois on fait mérveilles." The detail he promises to Prince Ferdinand had not reached; 66 (1) The surprise and defeat of the French and Saxons under M. Daubitz at Ermsdorff, on the 16th of July; upon which occasion, Elliot's corps of light horse had the greatest share of the glory, as well as sufferings, of the day. Only seventy-nine of the allies were killed in the action, but of these seventy-one were of this single regiment. it is known, however, that the two battalions of royal Bavarois, three d'Anhalt, et un battalion de Turpin, troupes legères, are prisoners. The hereditary Prince marched with his wound of the 10th (which was a musket shot under the shoulder) still open. He pierced five times the French infantry, at the head of Elliot's; his horse wounded under him, and a led horse behind him killed. The King of Prussia has all at once appeared before Dresden, having returned, slipped Daun, and possessed himself of the suburbs. The place itself he was beginning to batter in breach the 18th; and it is hoped his Prussian Majesty will be master of Dresden before Daun can relieve it. The stroke is most astonishing; but, if it fails (and he has but moments to complete his work), he must be undone! (') (1) The King of Prussia commenced the siege of Dresden on the 13th of July; but M. Daun having, on the night of the 21st, succeeded in throwing sixteen battalions into the town, the King withdrew his forces from the suburbs on the following day. In a letter to the Duke of Newcastle, written from headquarters, on the 18th of July, Mr. Mitchell, who accompanied the army, says: :- May your Grace never have an idea of what I have felt and seen these eighteen days past! The fatigue I suffer is the least part of my endurance. I fear we shall not be masters of Dresden, and the retreat will probably be dangerous: if we should, I fear we may abuse our success." And again, on the 31st:-"His Prussian Majesty sees and feels his situation, though he endeavours manfully to cover it, and to put the best face upon things that they will bear. We are now in a most critical and dangerous situation, which cannot long last. One lucky event, approaching to a miracle, may still save us; but the extreme caution of M. Daun, joined to that infinite superiority of numbers, gives but little ground to hope that such an event will happen.". Newcastle MSS. I am now to impart the sad disaster of Laly Lincoln ('), which happened last night: she was seized with a violent cholic, went into convulsions, and expired before Lord Lincoln could arrive in town. This truly melancholy event has thrown a cloud over our joy. I grieve for poor Lord Lincoln, for the Duke of Newcastle, for a whole family that loved her. Who can be happy and not tremble! May the Almighty preserve my love her and hers! - Your ever loving husband, W. PITT. ANDREW MITCHELL, ESQ. TO MR. PITT. SIR, August 17, 1760. (2) ALLOW me to introduce to you M. le Baron de Coccei, captain of the King of Prussia's guards. The news he carries (3), and the great prince he (1) Catherine, eldest daughter and coheiress of the right honourable Henry Pelham. (2) In a letter of the same date, addressed to the Countess of Holdernesse, Mr. Mitchell says: - "Permit me to recommend to your ladyship's particular protection, M. le Baron de Coccei, one of the ugliest fellows we have in the whole army; but when one is acquainted with him, his conversation is agreeable and his figure forgotten." (3) The defeat of the Austrians near Leignitz, on the 15th of August. In a letter to the Duke of Newcastle, written two days after the victory, Mr. Mitchell relates the following conversation: "The King of Prussia, when he marched his army comes from, make all recommendation on my part superfluous; yet I cannot help telling you what I know to be true, that he is a brave, worthy, sensible man, with an honest heart, the servant of a great king, who has the highest value for you. I am glad of every opportunity that affords me occasion to assure you of the sincere respect and affection with which I have the honour to be, &c. ANDREW MITCHELL. from the field of battle, sent for me to ride along with him. When I came up to him, and had given him joy of the victory, he was pleased to say very graciously, As you have shared the fatigues with me, I want you should likewise rejoice with me.' He then entered into a detail of the battle; commended highly the behaviour of his troops; and after making some excellent reflections on the imperfection of human foresight, he said, You see how I have laboured, to no purpose, to bring about the event that has now happened: the victory I have gained is entirely owing to the bravery of my troops. Had I remained in the camp at Leignitz, I should have been surrounded on all sides: had I arrived but a quarter of an hour sooner on the field of battle, the event would not have happened; and a few days would have put an end to the whole affair.' His Prussian Majesty then observed, that the chief advantages he had over the enemy were, that his army was formed before that of the enemy was quite arranged, and that, by his knowledge of the ground, he had got possession of the heights."" In another letter to the Duke, of the 10th of November, Mr. Mitchell relates the following anecdote: "I entirely agree with your Grace on the notions of Providence, and have had many disputes with his Prussian Majesty on that subject; the last was on the field of battle near Leignitz, when he said he owed that victory to chance. I took the liberty to reply, that it was plain to me, if Providence had not given his Majesty a better understanding than his enemies, he would not have been victorious that day: he answered, with good-humour; 'Je sais que nous ne sommes pas tout-à-fait d'accord sur ce point là, mais soit à présent, · Newcastle MSS. parceque vous le voulez ainsi.' - MR. PITT TO ANDREW MITCHELL, ESQ. (Private.) DEAR SIR, September 9, 1760. I CANNOT let a messenger go away without conveying some expressions, at least, of all my heart feels, on the glorious and stupendous successes with which Providence has at last crowned the heroic constancy of spirit and unexampled activity of mind of that truly great King, you are so fortunate as to contemplate nearly. Never was joy more sincere and universal than that which M. Coccei's arrival confirmed to us; and, amidst a whole nation's joy, none can surpass, if any can equal, mine. May Heaven continue to prosper the arduous work! for much, very much, remains to be done, and other wonders to be performed. May all prove propitious; and may success inspire sentiments of peace, to fix at last this long-fluctuating scene of blood and desolation, and to give stability and happiness to the fortunes of this unconquerable monarch! M. Coccei's appearance and manner fully answer to the advantageous portrait you make of him; and I esteem myself happy in the acquisition of that gentleman's acquaintance. Accept my best thanks for the volume of admirable poetry which you were so good as to send me. I find |