effect of the King's Message against Wilkes in the House of Commons. When the wretch heard the news of what was done in our House, he was supposed to be so thunderstruck as to become desperate; and yesterday morning he sent a challenge, with most opprobrious language, to Martin, to meet him immediately in the field. Martin did so, and lodged a brace of bullets in his body; so that we are much afraid he will escape the pillory, and a thousand actions besides. If he recovers, and the House of Commons expel him immediately, then Sir Sept. takes him up. If his expulsion hangs, then there must be a conference between the two Houses before we can get him . . .

I break off at present to go to the House, being summoned on Wilkes's affair. When I come back

I propose to finish my letter.

I have just come from the House, where they have passed two more votes against Wilkes. The one is, that (besides the offence against me, which is to be punished by the House,) the House shall address the King, that he will be pleased to give order to the Attorney-General to prosecute Wilkes, his aiders and abetters, for blasphemy, in his courts of justice. Of these aiders and abettors Churchill is supposed to be one; and some think there are others of higher rank.

The other vote is, that, considering Wilkes's inability, by reason of his wound, to appear to-day, that this affair be resumed next Tuesday; and

that nothing shall excuse his attendance but the oaths of his physicians and surgeons, that he is incapable of attending.

address upon

Yesterday the House of Commons voted their the King's speech, without a division. Wilkes is supposed to be out of danger of every thing but the gallows.

I am, honoured Sir,

Your most dutiful nephew,

and devoted servant,

W. WARBURTON.

BISHOP WARBURTON TO RALPH ALLEN, ESQ.

HONOURED SIR,

Grosvenor Square, Nov. 26, 1763.

On Thursday night the House of Commons sat till two o'clock in the morning, and came to these two resolutions:

1. That the North Briton, No. 45, is an insolent and scandalous and false abuse on the person of the King and the two Houses of Parliament, tending to raise traitorous and seditious disturbances, to the overthrow of the Constitution, and that it shall be burnt by the hand of the common hangman. (The lawyers say it is every thing short of treason.)

2. That privilege of Parliament does not extend to crimes and misdemeanours of this nature.

Mr. Yorke never distinguished himself to so much advantage on the Court side of the question, and against the party he has gone over to, as on this occasion. He was universally applauded. And Mr. Pitt appeared to be so much nettled, that he abused the lawyers in general, who that day were all against him. However, he said that, " As to that impious man, who occasioned the dispute, and had blasphemed God and the King, he ought to be thrust out of the House;" and then thrust out his crutch in the action of a man driving a noxious animal from him.

The next day the Commons sent to desire a conference with us; and the two Houses met in the Painted Chamber, when the Commons desired our concurrence to their two votes. So we parted, and returned to our several Houses. When we came to ours, and made our report, it was agreed to immediately, nemine contradicente, that we should concur with them in their first vote. The Lord Temple desired it might be put off till the Lords had been summoned to attend on this occasion. The Duke of Bedford bade him look round, and see whether he had ever known a fuller house. And if they were already there, what occasion for a summons? As to the second resolution, it was agreed that we should take it into consideration next Tuesday. Wilkes continues to be yet in

danger. The monster is so singularly circumstanced that his greatest enemies wish his life, to bring him to punishment; and his greatest friends wish his death, to shake off that load upon them, and perhaps to prevent some discoveries. . . . . My duty and love to all.

Honoured Sir, your most dutiful

nephew, and faithful servant,
W. WARBURTON.

BISHOP WARBURTON TO RALPH ALLEN, ESQ.

HONOURED SIR,

Grosvenor Square, Dec. 1, 1763.

What passed to-day in the House was, several conferences with the Commons to adjust the ceremony of agreeing with them in the votes against the North Briton, the having it burnt by the common hangman on Saturday, and the two Houses addressing the King on the occasion next Monday.

To-day sixteen Lords in the minority protested against what passed on Tuesday, of no privilege of Parliament for seditious libels. The protest is, it seems, a very long and a very furious one. The Duke of Devon was in the number, but not the Duke of Newcastle. . . .

I am, honoured Sir,

Your most dutiful nephew,

and faithful servant,

W. GLOUCESTER.

A MONSIEUR MONSIEUR WARBURTON.

[CHARLES DE SECONDAT, Baron of Montesquieu, was descended from an antient and noble family in Guienne. He was born in 1689, became President of the Parliament of Bourdeaux in 1716, and died in 1755.

His chief works are, Persian Letters, 1721; Causes of the grandeur and decline of the Romans, 1734; Spirit of Laws, 1748.

His writings, which are more distinguished for brilliancy than solidity, have maintained their reputation in France, but have lost much of the estimation they formerly possessed in this country.]

A Bordeaux, ce 6 Janvier, 1752. Il n'y a rien de si glorieux pour moi, Monsieur, que de recevoir dans le même moment des marques de la bonté et de la generosité d'un aussi grand homme. J'apprend par Mr Domville, que vous m'avez fait la faveur de m'envoyer les œuvres de Mr Pope, où vous avez mis des rémarques: ce sont les gravures qui furent gravés sur le bouclier d'Achile. Je voudrois vous marquer, Monsieur, mon extrème réconnaissance; elle est proportionée aux grandes qualités de celuy dont je tiens le bienfait, c'est à dire, que l'un et l'autre sont infinis. J'ay l'honneur d'être tres respecteusement, Monsieur, vôtre tres humble et tres obeissant serviteur,

MONTESQUIEU.