DIGITISED MANUSCRIPTS

6-245 notes facetiously added in the counterfeit handwriting of Warburton, Bishop of Gloucester. One of these copies was obtained through bribery from a printer, by the Duke of Queensberry’s private Chaplain, who was afterwards rewarded for this despicable service with a handsome living. From the hands of the Duke the poem passed into those of Lord Sandwich, who at once saw an opportunity of wreaking vengeance on Wilkes for his old offence of having made him the butt of a practical joke, as well as of showing his zeal in the service of the King. The noble lord had no difficulty in finding a coad- jutor in the Bishop of Gloucester. Simultaneously with Lord North’s motion in the House of Commons Lord Sandwich proceeded to read with unfeigned de- light the ‘Essay on Woman,’ notwithstanding the objections raised by his brother peers. When the noble profligate and Secretary of State had played his part the Bishop rose to play his. Indignantly he protested against his own ears and those of his episcopal brethren being offended by such improprie- ties and prophesied that the ‘blackest fiends in hell would not keep company with Wilkes.’ Assuming that Wilkes was the author, he pronounced the poem ‘worthy of the devil ;’ but added, after a pause, ‘ No; I beg the devil’s pardon. He is incapable of writing it!’ Both he and Lord Sandwich recommended the prosecution of Wilkes for blasphemy. At a later