The beautiful valley of the Axe lies in south-east Devonshire, about four miles west of Dorset. The red marl and brown and sterile summits of the green sand-hills mark the situation with unmistakable signs. A real Devonshire valley cannot be confounded with any other; nor can its climate. Mild in winter, when southern Italy has frost and snow, and when Greece is not to be traversed from the same causes, its curative influence at length begins to be appreciated.

1779, September 17.—Memorandum endorsement by John Robinson. “Covers in which the 24 Bank Notes of 500l. each were enclosed with his Majesty's Docquet thereon, and which were delivered by his Majesty to Lord North this day and given by Lord North to J[ohn] R[obinson] and which were sent to Mr. Drummond by me on the 18th and placed to the credit of my private account B—, and which sum was for twelve months of the additional 1.000l. per month from July, 1778, to June, 1779, inclusive.”

• Preface iii

• Introduction

• The Manuscript ix

• Contents and Sources x

• The Author xi

• Editions and Translations xiv

• A Note on the Text xiv

• Text and Notes I

• Index 69

Friday 15 January The official Coronation Programme was issued today. It would be idle to pretend that the change of monarchs has not taken the fire out of the national interest in the Coronation. King George VI and his consort are popular enough in a quiet way, but they do not arose any great enthusiasm. In society itself, the Queen is definitely unpopular. As Duchess of York she was regarded as a rather quiet, uninteresting, highly domesticated person, a little too Scots, if anything. But as Queen she is a little derided as lacking in glamour.

• Acknowledgements 4

• Editorial note 4

• Introduction 5

• The Letters 7

• Index 157