Excerpt from Letters of Horace Walpole, Vol. 2 of 3: Earl of Orford, to Sir Horace Mann, British Envoy at the Court of Tuscany

But, my dear child, what lives, what misfortunes must, and many follow all this! As a man, I feel my humanity more touched than my spirit. I feel myself more an universal man, than an Englishman! We have already lost seven millions of money and thirty thousands men in the Spanish war - and all the fruit of all this blood and treasure is the glory of having Admiral Vernon's head on alehouse signs! for my part I would not purchase another Duke of Marlborough at the expense of one life. How I should be shocked, were I a hero, when I looked on my own laurelled head on a medal, the reverse of which would be widows and orphans. How many such will our patriots have made!

The embarkation at Dunkirk does not seem to go on, though, to be sure, not laid aside. We received yesterday the particular of the Mediterranean engagement from Matthews. We conclude the French squadron retired designedly, to come up to Brest, where we every day expect to hear of them. If Matthews does not follow them, adieu our triumphs in the Channel! - and then!

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