LETTER CCXLIII
LETTER CCXLIV
LETTER CCXLV
LETTER CCXLVI
LETTER CCXLVIII
LETTER CCXLIX
LETTER CCL
LETTER CCLI
LETTER CCLII
LETTER CCLIII
LETTER CCLIV
LETTER CCLV
LETTER CCLVI
LETTER CCLVII
LETTER CCLVIII
LETTER CCLIX
LETTER CCLX
LETTER CCLXI
LETTER CCLXII
LETTER CCLXIII
LETTER CCLXIV
LETTER CCLXV
LETTER CCLXVI
LETTER CCLXVII
LETTER CCLXVIII
LETTER CCLXIX
LETTER CCLXX
LETTER CCLXXI
LETTER CCLXXII
LETTER CCLXXIII
LETTER CCLXXIV
LETTER CCLXXV
LETTER CCLXXVI
LETTER CCLXXVII
LETTER CCLXXVIII
LETTER CCLXXIX
LETTER CCLXXX
LETTER CCLXXXI
LETTER CCLXXXII
LETTER CCLXXXIII
1766-1771
LETTER CCLXXXV
LETTER CCLXXXVI
LETTER CCLXXXVII
LETTER CCLXXXVIII
LETTER CCLXXXIX
LETTER CCXC
LETTER CCXCI
LETTER CCXCII
LETTER CCXCIII
LETTER CCXCIV
LETTER CCXCV
LETTER CCXCVI
LETTER CCXCVII
LETTER CCXCVIII
LETTER CCXCIX
LETTER CCC
LETTER CCCI
LETTER CCCII
LETTER CCCIII
LETTER CCCIV
LETTER CC
LETTER CCCVI
LETTER CCCVII
LETTER CCCVIII
LETTER CCCIX
LETTER CCCX
LETTER CCCXI
LETTER CCCXII
LETTER CCCXIII
LETTER CCCXIV
LETTER CCCXV
LETTER CCCXVI
LETTER CCCXVII
LETTER CCCXVIII
LETTER CCCXIX
LETTER CCCXX
PG Editor's Notes:
O. S. and N. S.: On consultation with several specialists I have learned that the abbreviations O. S. and N. S. relate to the difference between the old Julian calender used in England and the Gregorian calender which was the standard in Europe. In the mid 18th century it is said that this once amounted to a difference of eleven days. To keep track of the chronology of letters back and forth from England to France or other countries in mainland Europe, Chesterfield inserted in dates the designation O. S. (old style) and N. S. (new style).
Chesterfield demonstrates his classical education by frequent words and sometimes entire paragraphs in various languages. In the 1901 text these were in italics; in this etext edition I have substituted single quotation marks around these, as in 'bon mot', and not attempted to include the various accent marks of all the languages.
Only obvious typographical errors have been corrected. The original and occasionally variable spelling is retained throughout. D.W.
SPECIAL INTRODUCTION
The proud Lord Chesterfield would have turned in his grave had he known that he was to go down to posterity as a teacher and preacher of the gospel of not grace, but-'the graces, the graces, the graces.' Natural gifts, social status, open opportunities, and his ambition, all conspired to destine him for high statesmanship. If anything was lacking in his qualifications, he had the pluck and good sense to work hard and persistently until the deficiency was made up. Something remained lacking, and not all his consummate mastery of arts could conceal that conspicuous want,-the want of heart.
