PONIATOWSKI STANISLAW: (1754-1833) Polish nobleman, politician and diplomat, a member of the wealthy Poniatowski family, cousin of Prinz Jozef Poniatowski (1763-1813, Polish General who became a Marshal of the French Empire during the Napoleonic Wars) and a nephew of Stanislaw II Augustus (1732-1798, King of Poland 1764-95). Stanislaw Poniatowski served as Grand Treasurer of Lithuania 1784-91, making him a key figure in Poland during the Age of Enlightenment. A.L.S., S Poniatowski, four pages, 8vo, Warsaw, 17th March 1788, to Mr. Barker. Poniatowski states that he is glad to know that his correspondent is happy in his 'private family circumstances' and continues 'You have another kind of satisfaction I suppose, it is to see your country raising in all kind of science and industry. The discoveryes (sic) of Mr. Hershill (i.e. Herschel) are so interesting that all nations will know them and pay the tribute of admiration to their author. They seem to have opened a new field of experiments for perfectioning, of reflecting glasses, and telescopes constructed upon that system; the application of salts…..merged with mettals (sic) in the fusion is a restitution of experiments began by Newton, which the present age will perhaps carry farther with a better success'. Poniatowski further comments 'The attention of a great part of England is now turned I suppose towards the trial of Mr. Hastings, who is attacked and defended with equal eloquence. Mr. Burk (i.e. Burke) seems to have aquaired (sic) in this cause a greater reputation still, than he had before', and also sends news of Poland where affairs 'remain in their positive state'. A letter of good content relating to events of the time. Some light age wear, otherwise VG William Herschel (1738-1822) German-born British astronomer who had constructed his first large telescope in 1774 and discovered the planet Uranus in March 1781. Warren Hastings (1732-1818) British colonial administrator who, with Robert Clive, is credited with laying the foundation of the British Empire in India. The impeachment of Hastings, accused of misconduct during his time in India, was attempted between 1787 and 1795 in the Parliament of Great Britain. Edmund Burke (1729-1797) Irish statesman, orator, political theorist, and philosopher. The impeachment prosecution of Hastings was led by Burke and when the charges of Hastings' indictment were read the twenty counts took Burke two full days to read.