Mann, Horace
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- Mann, Horace
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(1706 - 86), diplomat, s. of Robert Mann of Linton, Kent; Clare Hall, Camb.; res. Florence 1740 - 65, env. 1765 - 82, env.extra. and min.plen. 1782 - 6; cr. Bt. 1755; KB 1768; d. Florence; unm.
1732 - 3 Naples (by Mar. 1732 - Mar. 1733), Rome (29 Mar. - 22 Apr.), Padua (22 Jun. 1733), Venice (Jul.), Verona
1738 - 86 Florence
As British representative at Florence for nearly fifty years, Horace Mann became the best-known of all British residents in Italy in the eighteenth century, while the subsequent publication of his intimate correspondence with Horace Walpole (Wal.Corr. 17: - 27:) has made him a familiar footnote in the history of the times. His unbuttoned comments on other British travellers in Florence are used throughout this Dictionary.
He had first visited Italy for his health in 1732 - 3 and so gravely did he take his condition that he took a coffin with him.1 In Naples he became friendly with the Baillie family and his few purchases of marble tables in Naples, made in March 1732, were sent back to England with the Baillies' baggage; see Lady Grisell Baillie. Spence also met him in Naples in March 1732.2 Mann returned to England with the Baillies, being recorded as 'Horatio Mann' in Padua on 22 June 1733 and Mr Mann, 'second son to a Gentleman of that name in Kent' at Venice in July 1733.
Mann had become assistant to Charles Fane, the British minister in Florence, by February 1738 and he took over his duties when Fane returned to England in April. Through the influence of Sir Robert Walpole, and later his nephew Horace, he was rewarded in a number of ways: in 1740 he became British resident; fifteen years later he was given a baronetcy; he became envoy in 1765, and with much celebration he was invested a Knight of the Bath in 1768. He was finally appointed envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary in 1782.
Mann was 'intelligent, conscientious, kind-hearted, and busy, but, although he had a sense of humour, he lacked a sense of proportion, spending far too much time and energy fussing over trifles'.3 His official duties were more significant during the early part of his career when he had to inform the English authorities, through a spy network, about the movements of the Stuart family at Rome. There was rivalry with other British informants such as Stosch, Cardinal Albani and Burrington Goldsworthy (British consul at Leghorn). He was also asked to advise on the movements of the British fleet in the Mediterranean during the War of the Polish Succession which coincided with the 1745 Stuart expedition to Scotland. Mann's letters to Walpole became noticeably excited during such crises. But Edward Gibbon astutely thought Mann's 'most serious business was that of entertaining the English at his hospitable table'.4
Mann kept open house for all British visitors and their letters and tour journals are filled with references to his kindness. As one writer put it 'his physiognomy speaks his goodness & politeness which is sometimes carried to excess'.5 He accomodated guests in Casa Ambrogi and held conversazioni on a Saturday night at his residence in the Palazzo Manetti when there was no performance at the theatre. According to Alexander Drummond 'all the apartments on the ground-floor ... were lighted up, and the garden was a little epitome of Vauxhall. These little conversazione resemble our card assemblies; and this one was remarkably brilliant, for all the married ladies of fashion in Florence were there'.6 The conversazioni continued; in 1784 Thomas Brand described how 'Old Sir Horace still winks his paralytic Eye & repeats his wonted Stories',7 but by 1785 Mann was looking 'sick and old'.8
His kindness was universally acknowledged, perhaps most admiringly by the 5th Earl of Cork and Orrery: 'he does honour to our nation. He lives elegantly and generously. He never fails in any point of civility and kindness to his countrymen. The politeness of his manners, and the prudence of his conduct, are shining examples both to the Britons and Italians. He is the only person I have ever known, whom all Englishmen agree in praising. He has the art of conquering our prejudices, and taming our fierceness'.9 'The civilities of Sir Horace are amazing', wrote the 2nd Earl Fitzwilliam; 'there is never any assembly or amusement anywhere that he does not inform us of, and carry us to; Sir Horace himself contributes more to the life of this place than all the Florentines put together; he has constantly a great assembly once a week at his house (to which everybody comes) and now, at this season his garden is illuminated like Vauxhall, and is the prettiest thing in the world ... You must know,' he added, 'and between friends, Sir Horace is the most finical man in the world: if you speak a little loud, he can't bear it, it hurts his nerves, he dies - and he v-m-ts if you eat your petite patee before your soup; take him as he is, without the least notice, he is a perfect character for the stage. He has been so long out of England, that he has lost the manliness of an Englishman, and has borrowed the effeminacy of Italy. But with all his little airs, he is a good kind of man, and is very civil; and therefore nothing must be reported concerning him'.(10) The young Lord Winchilsea, who was clearly fond of him, stressed Mann's hypochondria: 'I believe I never saw so fiddle faddle a man, I believe he thinks of nothing Else but his health from one end of the week to the other'.(11)
All Mann's energies were spent in social accomplishment. He appeared to lack a concerted interest in science or music, although he did some limited dealing in paintings and antiquities to supplement his entertainment expenses. He enjoyed his own private circle of effete friends, principally the painter Thomas Patch and the 2nd Earl Tylney, but his epistolary affair with Horace Walpole remains his best known relationship. After his death it was quickly observed that 'Florence is a dull Town no Society for Eng: since the death of Sir H. Mann',12 and few British representatives abroad ever matched his discriminating generosity.
1. W.H. Smith, Wal.Corr., 17:xxx. 2. Spence Letters, 419. 3. W.H. Smith, Wal.Corr., 17:xxxii. 4. Memoirs of my Life, [1966], 134. 5. Harvey jnl.mss (11 Aug. 1773). 6. Drummond, Travels, 40 - 1. 7. Brand letters mss d (16 May 1784). 8. H.L. Piozzi Observations and Reflections made in the course of a Journey..., [1789], 276. 9. Cork Letters, 107 - 8. 10. Fitzwilliam's letter, History Today, Jun. 1967, 398. 11. Winchilsea Letters mss (2 Jan. 1773). 12. Geo.Baillie to his mother, 27 Nov. 1787 (priv. coll.).
H.G. B.