MR. PHILLIMORE'S "GEORGE III."
To THE EDITOR OF TE:E "SPECTATOR."
Stn,—Among several other inaccuracies contained in the criticism on my work in your paper of to-day, there is one which, in my opinion, is so serious that I must appeal to your candour to allow me space enough for this statement of the truth.
It is there said that I ascribe "incredible immorality" to both sexes in England of the higher rank at the present day. That is the plain meaning of the words used. Now my remark is limited to the time of George I., George II., and the beginning of the reign of George HI., and I support it by quotations from Berkeley, Lady Mary Wortley, Bishop Butler, and Fielding.
The opinion ascribed to me I disclaim as shocking and unjust ; moreover, it is the exact reverse of what I have said more than once in the volume criticized.
I do not impute an intentional misrepresentation to my reviewer, and I have to offer him my thanks, for a more favour- able notice would have mortified me from a writer who objects to the word " sabbathless," does not think "worsened " English, gravely insists on the typographical error of" retio " for " retro " (there are several others), and doubts the intrigue between the Princess Dowager and Lord Bute.
I wonder if he thinks Madame de Montespan was the mistress of Louis XIV. ?—I have the honour to remain your obedient
[Mr. Phillimore should read reviews a little more carefully.— ED. SpeCtatOr.]
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