small quarto, containing some anecdotes relative to Sir Robert Walpole, of which I believe only a few copies were printed for his friends. They have not been published. Mr. Walpole said it was a very extraordinary performance, and he wondered much that a nobleman who lived so near the time would send forth anything so imperfect and inaccurate, when he might so easily have obtained better information.
“This account (he said) of Sir Robert’s becoming Minister to George II. was entirely erroneous. The truth of the matter, Mr. Walpole said, was as follows:—On the death of George I., Sir Robert, who was then First Lord of the Treasury, went to the Prince, at Richmond, to announce the event. He knew he was no favourite there (Sir Robert having attached himself to George I., between whom and his son there was a quarrel), though he believed the Princess (afterwards Queen Caroline) very well inclined to him. As soon as admitted,[1] and he told the new King what had occurred, he further informed his Majesty that the first thing necessary to do was to assemble the Privy Council, and to make a speech to them. Sir Robert then asked him who should draw it up, or, in other words, who was to be his prime minister? The King desired him to apply to Sir Spencer Compton (afterwards Lord Wilmington), the speaker of the House of Commons. Sir Robert accordingly did so. Sir Spencer, a few hours afterwards calling upon Sir Robert, honestly owned
- ↑ Sir Robert went to Richmond with such speed that he killed two of his coach-horses by fatigue.
