Published online by Cambridge University Press: 12 December 2024
George Selwyn (1719–91) was a politician and wit, better known in the latter capacity as he did not speak once in House of Commons debates during his 44-year parliamentary career. He was an enthusiastic participant in London club culture, a noted conversationalist, gambler and member of White's Club. A much-discussed peculiarity of his was his interest in executions; he even travelled to Paris in 1757 to watch the brutal execution of would-be royal assassin Damiens. His friends and associates included Thomas Gray, Horace Walpole and Charles James Fox.
Although Goldsmith's trip to Paris does not appear to have gone well, it does not seem to have diminished his enthusiasm for assisting the social ambitions of the Horneck sisters, the ‘finer people’ referred to in the letter. The masquerade took place on the Thursday following the letter, 18 April, at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket. An approving report on the masque, whose ‘magnificence, splendor, elegance, brilliancy, and taste, beggars all description!’, indicates that Goldsmith's entreaty was probably successful: the report notes the presence of ‘the two sisters (tout charmant) the Miss Hor––ks, alike in dress; grace; and beauty! ‘ (General Evening Post, 20–23 April 1771).
The copy-text is the manuscript in the Society of Antiquaries, London. It was first published by Balderston in 1928. It is addressed ‘To | George Augustus Selwyn Esqr. | Newmarket | Cambridge shire’ and postmarked 15 April. The letter is also stamped ‘Free’, which suggests that Goldsmith took the liberty of using Selwyn's member of parliament franking privilege to cover the cost of postage to Newmarket when he found him away from home.
Monday, April 15th. 1771.
Sir
I did my self the honour of calling at your house in Chesterfield street to deliver the enclosed, but not finding you at home and not knowing when you intend to return I take leave to inform you that Colonel Nugent entreats you will remember your promise of putting Lord Marsh in mind of sending the tickets for the next Masquerade to me, or sending what they call checque tickets which will answer the same purpose.1 I entreat Sir you will not impute this to my own impatience but that of some finer people who if disappointed on this occasion will be quite unhappy. Be pleased to direct to Oliver Goldsmith at his chambers in the Temple Brick Court No. 2. I am Sir your
most obedient humble Servant
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