Page:Life of Edmond Malone.djvu/128

CHAPTER VI.

1783—1786.

Correspondence with Flood—Second Appendix to Shakspeare—Prepares to become Editor—Horace Walpole—Bishop Percy—Goldsmith—Steevens—Elevation of his Brother to the Peerage—Boswell—John Kemble—Walpole and Rousseau—Lord Charlemont.

Such was the friend upon whom Malone had some time previously ventured to try his skill in political negotiation. Who the original prompter was on this occasion does not appear. Perhaps Burke, also an old friend of Flood; perhaps indirectly Windham, just nominated Irish Secretary, likewise a friend of Burke and Malone, although the latter had not seen him since his accession to office. But the letter implies some—although indirect—authority for the proposal.

London, April 24th, 1783.

Queen Anne Street East.

Dear Flood—You will probably, before you receive this letter, have heard that Lord Northington is appointed Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, and Mr. Windham, of Norfolk (not Lord Egremont’s brother), a gentleman of good fortune, his secretary.

This new appointment is the occasion of taking up my pen at present for the purpose of asking you whether you mean to come to England shortly, or have any wish or intention to form any part of the new administration in the next session in Ireland. I trouble you with these inquiries, not from idle curiosity, but because I am well, though not officially, informed that the new Government is thoroughly impressed