NOTES
Except for the title page of The Fine Gentleman's Etiquette, which comes from the University of North Carolina.
[1] See my Chesterfield Bibliography to 1800, Papers of the Bibliographical Society of America, XXIX (1935), 68-70 and 82-89.
[2] Mr. Cecil Price, of Aberystwyth University, called the London Chronicle item to my attention several years ago, pointing out that Professor James L. Clifford had identified this reference at note 160 in his edition of Dr. Campbell's Diary (Cambridge, 1947). The CBEL lists The Graces as by Woty, but without stating its authority.
[3] The sale catalogue authenticates the poem here given by printing a short passage from it (page 238, lot 1405; sold by Messrs. Sotheby, Wilkinson, & Hodge; 18 April 1918).
NOTES TO THE GRACES
Full annotation is not intended, but identification of a few allusions in this poem may be helpful.
p. 4 Sir Fletcher Norton (1716-89), currently Speaker of the House of Commons.
Edward Thurlow (1731-1806), recently notable for successfully opposing perpetual copyright.
John Dunning (1731-83), lawyer and member of Parliament, Mrs. Eugenia Stanhope's legal counsel when Chesterfield's executors wished to stop publication of the letters. See my article, "The Publication of Chesterfield's Letters to his Son," PMLA, LI (March 1936), 171.
p. 5 William Blackstone (1723-80), already a judge and the author of the famous Commentaries.
Schomberg (probably Isaac, 1714-80, rather than his twin brother Raphael, 1714-92), Sir John Pringle (1707-82), and William Bromfield (1712-92) were physicians, respectively, to Garrick, King George III, and his Queen.
p. 6 The current Bishop of Peterborough was Dr. John Hinchliffe (1731-94).
Hans Stanley (1720?-80), M.P., political and diplomatic figure.
Great Tallboy—apparently Charles Talbot, twelfth Earl and only Duke of Shrewsbury (1660-1718), "A man of great personal attractions, ... called by Swift 'the favourite of the nation'" (Concise DNB).
Haslang—Joseph Xaver (ca 1700-83), Freiherr (later Graf) von Haszlang, Bavarian minister to England 1741-83 (Yale Walpole, IX, 185, n. 25).
p. 9 Spranger Barry (1719-77), famous tragic actor, or possibly his wife, Ann Spranger Barry (1734-1801).
p. 12 John Hill (1716?-75), prolific compiler of works on varied subjects; about a year previously he had been made knight of the Swedish order of Vasa.