Book Description
After the fall of Sir Robert Walpole, Britain's first "prime minister," from political power in 1742, most of his celebrated collection of Old Master paintings was removed to his newly-built Palladian house in Norfolk, Houghton Hall. In 1779 this collection was sold by Sir Robert's grandson to the Empress Catherine II of Russia, which was seen as a scandalous loss to Britain. This book catalogues for the first time the entire collection in Russia as well as those works of art that remained at Houghton Hall. Accompanying the catalogue are essays on various aspects of the formation and sale of the collection.

This book accompanies an exhibition at the Hermitage Rooms at Somerset House in London that opens in September 2002. ... Read more

Book Description
My last I think was of the 16th. Since that we have had events of almost every sort. A whole administration dismissed, taken again, suspended, confirmed; an insurrection; and we have been at the eve of a civil war. Many thousand Weavers rose, on a bill for their relief being thrown out of the House of Lords by the Duke of Bedford. For four days they were suffered to march about the town with colours displayed, petitioning the King, surrounding the House of Lords, mobbing and wounding the Duke of Bedford, and at last besieging his house, which, with his family, was narrowly saved from destruction.Download Description
My last I think was of the 16th. Since that we have had events of almost every sort. A whole administration dismissed, taken again, suspended, confirmed; an insurrection; and we have been at the eve of a civil war. Many thousand Weavers rose, on a bill for their relief being thrown out of the House of Lords by the Duke of Bedford. For four days they were suffered to march about the town with colours displayed, petitioning the King, surrounding the House of Lords, mobbing and wounding the Duke of Bedford, and at last besieging his house, which, with his family, was narrowly saved from destruction. ... Read more

Book Description
Now First Published From The Original Mss. In Two Volumes. ... Read more