13 MARCH 1897, Page 16

SIR, —If Mr. Hay-Cooper will refer to Lord Mahon ' s " History

of England," he will find some notice of the deputation he has mentioned. His Lordship, however, says nothing of the billiard-room scene, nor does he give the names of the envoys, but merely states that, having learned the dissolute and degraded character of Charles Edward, they declined negotia- tion and returned home re infecta. I do not believe that this. embassy was sanctioned by the Congress; it was more pro- bably started by some cultivated Americans who, though ready to resist illegal taxation even as far as separation, still pre- ferred a monarchical form of government. Their selection of a possible ruler fully demonstrates the absurdity of hard and fast legitimacy.—I am, Sir, &c., T. WALLER EYRE EVANS.