Thomas Gray to James Brown (2 November 1765) Alexander Huber Editor Thomas Gray Archive
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 UK Oxford Bodleian Library, Oxford University Special Collections Montagu papers MS. Montagu d. 17, fols. 97-100 2 (letter)/4 (journal) pages c. 190 mm x 232 mm (letter)/160 mm x 196 mm (journal)

The original letter is extant and usually available for academic research purposes

 Digital facsimile [JPEG] from original letter Correspondence of Thomas Gray, 3 vols. Ed. by the late Paget Toynbee and Leonard Whibley, with corrections and additions by H. W. Starr. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1971 [1st ed. 1935], letter no. 414, vol. ii, 897-898 http://www.e-enlightenment.com/search/letters/print/?printref_sourceedition=graythOU0084&printref_docnumber=414 Gray, Thomas, 1716-1771 London, United Kingdom Brown, James, 1709-1784 Cambridge, United Kingdom

Gregorian

 English Palgrave, William, 1735-1799 Wharton, Thomas, 1717-1794 Stirling Old Park Northumberland Lowlands Highlands

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This letter is part of the correspondence calendar of the complete correspondence of Thomas Gray. The calendar contains detailed bibliographic records for all known original, copied, or published letters written by or to the poet as well as the full-text, where available. Each record is accompanied by digitised images of the manuscript, where available, or digitised images of the first printed edition.

 Library of Congress Name Authority File (LCNAF)

To The Revd Mr Brown, President of Pembroke Hall Cambridge
2 NO

Jermyn-Street. Nov: 2, 1765. Good Sr

I am at last return'd to my old Squirrel's nest from the Highlands, wch would be Italy, if they had but a climate, & even that was not wanting for the few days I pass'd among them. there it is, that the beauties of Scotland lie hid. of the Lowlands, wch every true Scotsman celebrates as a Paradise, I shall only say, they are better than Northumberland (don't tell Mr Delaval) & the nearer they come to the Mountains the better they grow. I return'd by Stirling, being a foe to drowning (tho' it be 35 miles about) to Edinburgh, & from thence to Old Park, where after a fortnight's repose leaving the good family in a hopeful way to increase, & charged with many civilities to you & fruitless invitations I got in three days (including nights) to London. the particulars of my travels I must defer, till I see you, when we shall have many chapters to treat. I did not visit the new-married couple, because he prohibited me to touch his Wife, wch is a distinction reserved for you.

The night after I arrived, the D: of Cumberland died. the preceding night he pass'd at Windsor, & meant to be at Court in the morning, but overslept himself & came too late to Town. between 7 & 8 he found his usual Asthma more troublesome than ordinary, & going to a window threw it up for air. after a few minutes he said it was too cold for him, complain'd of a shivering & an uncommon sensation in his arms, & desired to be help'd to a couch. he was immediately bloodied, & then throwing himself back said it was all over: they could do him no good, & expired instantly. there was to be a Cabinet-council that night at his house, & three of them were just then arrived. I do not hear, that this event will make any present alteration in Men or measures. the D: of N: cries his eyes out, & will not be comforted: so you must do so too, but have a care you don't do it in earnest.

Adieu, Dear Sr, I should be glad, you would send me the Sum Total of my bill, & the novelties of Cambridge of wch all I know is, that poor Lobb is dead. where is the Abbé, & what does he say & do? Ld St: wonders, he never answer'd his letter of invitation.

I am ever Yours.