hundreds who either do not or will not laugh. "Tis enough if I divide the world; at least I will rest contented with it. -- I wish

you was here to see what changes of looks and political reasoning, have taken place in every company, and coffee-house since last year; we shall soon be Prussians and Anti-Prussians, Bs and Anti-Bs, and those distinctions will just do as well as Whig and Toryand, for aught I know serve the same ends. The King seems resolved to bring all things back to their original principles, and to stop the torrent of corruption and laziness. He rises every morning at six to do business — rides out at eight to a minute, returns at nine to give himself up to his people. By persisting, 'tis thought he will oblige his ministers and dependents to despatch affairs with him hours sooner than of late- and 'tis much to be questioned whether they will not be enabled to wait upon him sooner by being freed from long levees of their own, and applications; which will in all likelihood be transferr❜d from them directly to himself—the present system being to remove that phalanx of great people, which stood betwixt the throne and the subjects, and suffer them to have im

many

mediate access without the intervention of a cabal (this is the language of others): however, the King gives everything himself, knows everything, and weighs everything maturely, and then is inflexible - this puts old stagers off their game how it will end we are all in

the dark.

"Tis feared the war is quite over in Germany; never was known such havoc amongst troops -I was told yesterday by a colonel from Germany, that out of two battalions of nine hundred men, to which he belong'd, but seventyone are left!- Prince Ferdinand has sent word, 'tis said, that he must have forty thousand men directly to take the field - and with provisions for them too, for he can but subsist them for a fortnight. -I hope this will find you all got to York - I beg my compliments to the amiable Mrs. Croft, &c., &c.

Tho' I purposed going first to Golden Square, yet Fate has thus long disposed of me so I have never been able to set a foot towards that quarter — I am, dear sir, yours affectionately,

L. STERNE.

LETTER LII

To the Same

[LONDON, January, 1761.]*

MY DEAR SIR, -I have just time to acknowledge the favor of yours, but not to get the two prints you mention which shall be sent you by next post I have bought them, and lent them to Miss Gilbert, but will assuredly send for them and enclose them to you: -- I will take care to get your pictures well copied, and at a moderate price. And if I can be of further use, I beseech you to employ me; and from time to time will send you an account of whatever may be worth transmitting. The stream now sets in strong against the German war. Loud complaints of † making a trade of the war, &c., &c. much expected from Lord Granby's evidence to these matters, who is expected every hour:

the King wins every day upon the people, shews himself much at the play (but at no op

* [No date in the first edition; "About Jan. 1761 " was added in 1780.]

+ [Pitt's.]

era), rides out with his brothers every morning, half an hour after seven, till nine-returns with them- spends an hour with them at breakfast, and chat- and then sits down to business. I never dined at home once since I arrived am fourteen dinners deep engaged just now, and fear matters will be worse with me in that point than better. As to the main points in view, at which you hint — all I can say is, that I see my way, and unless Old Nick throws the dice-shall, in due time, come off winner. Tristram will be out the twentieth-- there is a great rout made about him before he enters the stage - whether this will be of use or no, I can't say some wits of the first magnitude here, both as to wit and station, engage me success-time will shew Adieu, dear Sir! and with my compliments to Mrs. Croft, &c.

I am your affectionate,

and obliged

L. STERNE.

LETTER LIII

To the Same

[LONDON, February 17? 1761.]* DEAR SIR,Since I had the favour of your obliging letter, nothing has happened, or been said one day, which has not been contradicted the next; so having little certain to write, I have forbore writing at all, in hopes every day of something worth filling up a letter. We had the greatest expectations yesterday that ever were raised, of a pitched battle in the House of Commons, wherein Mr. Pitt was to have entered and thrown down the gauntlet, in defence of the German war. There never was so full a house-the gallery full to the top I was there all the day when, lo! a political fit of the gout seized the great combatant — he entered not the lists Beckford got up, and begged the house, as he saw not his right honourable friend there, to put off the debate † -it could not be done; so Beckford rose up, and made a most long, passionate, incoherent

* [No date in the first edition; " March, 1761," was added in 1780.] [This debate seems to have taken place on February 16. London Magazine, Vol. XXX. 575.]