Chesterfield—the "great" Earl of Chesterfield—died when the younger Pitt was fourteen years old. It is more correct to describe him as a contemporary of his father, the Great Commoner. He was, as an amusing and able letter-writer, superior to both, but he loved society and they did not. In the recent Haber Sale at New York (December 10, 1909) a very fine Chesterfield letter only fetched £3 8s. It is thus described:—
CHESTERFIELD (PHILIP DORMER STANHOPE, FOURTH EARL OF). A.L.S., 2 pp. 4to, London, June 14, 1746. (Endorsed on the back "To Thos. Prior.") With portrait.
Thomas Prior was the Irish philanthropist, with whom Earl Chesterfield became acquainted while Viceroy of Ireland.
A remarkable letter proposing schemes for manufactures in Ireland. He first suggests glass manufacture, and next writing and printing paper, and states that the specimens shown him of Irish manufacture impressed him greatly, and only "industry is wanting"; another suggestion is the manufacture of starch, and he writes that he has been shown a method of making it from potatoes easily and cheaply, and while the law in England prevents it being made from anything else than flour in that country, that law might not apply in Ireland, and proceeds: "These are the Jobbs that I wish the People in Ireland would attend with as much Industry and Care as they do Jobbs of a very different Nature." Many other reflections show sound common sense.
Two years ago I gave £4 each for five unknown and unpublished letters, written between 1762 and 1771 by Chesterfield to his relative, Mr. Welbore Ellis Agar ("Gatty"). The specimen I now give of them is interesting, as it concerns Bath, a city which I regard as the great source and centre of the lighter and more gossipy letters of the eighteenth century:—
Bath, October ye 8th 1771.
Dear Gatty,—When we parted we agreed to correspond by way of letter, but we did not as I remember stipulate which should make the first advance, but as I always sacrificed my Dignity to my pleasure, I here make the first step though Cozen and Counsillor to the King and your Unkle, which is a kind of Deputy Parent. Admire my condescension. To begin, then, with an account of my Caducity. I made my journey to this place in two days, which I did not think I could have done, much tired with it but alive. Since I came I have seen no mortal till last night, when I went to the Ball with which the new rooms were opened and when I was there I knew not one creature except Lord and Lady Vere. The new rooms are really Magnificent finely finished and furnished, the Dancing-room, which the Lady Thanet used to call the Posture-room, particularly spacious and adorned. A large and fine play room, and a convenient Tea room well contrived, either to drink or part with that liquor. So much for this and more I cannot tell you, for as for the people who are not yet many, they are absolute strangers to me, and I to them. In my review of the fair sex last night I did not see one tolerably handsome, so that I am in no danger of falling in love this season, and indeed my heart and mind are so engrossed by Mr. Agar's fair cousin Mrs. Mathews, that I have no room left for a second choice. I hope that at her return to England, he will do me what good offices he can with her; my way is to end my letters abruptly, and without a well-turned period.
So God bless you
Chesterfield.
