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hope has not suffered by all the fatigues of sea and land.

My dearest Polly, je vous souhaite bien le bon soir.

LETTER III.

Monday, May 17, 1804.

I AM just arrived from the Guildhall at Westminster, where I had the satisfaction of hearing John Wilkes and William Mainwaring, Esqrs. declared duly elected Knights of the Shire for Middlesex in the ensuing parliament, and of seeing the indentures properly executed by the sheriff and the freeholders. Mr. Byng did not appear, nor

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any of his friends. The whole passed with perfect order and decency. The victorious candidates, with a few of their friends, dine to-day at the White Hart in Holborn.

I have luckily already got Armstrong's Actual Survey of the great Post Road from London to Dover, which I have sent as a present to Mr. Fector, with a letter of thanks for his civilities to my daughter during her late stay there.

Mr. Mainwaring, James Townsend, Dayrell, and a few more of us dined very harmoniously together at the White Hart, and in the evening I carried Mr. Mainwaring to the Cockpit at Whitehall, as one of the Minister's friends, where the King's speech was read to us, and Mr. Cornwall announced to be nominated Speaker. The speech is well drawn, and calculated to give general satisfaction. I recollect but two remark

able things in it; one, its mentioning the attachment to the constitution, which has appeared almost throughout the kingdom; the other, the affairs of the East India Company, which the speech said should be regulated by a strict respect to the nature and interests of our invaluable constitution. It will not be delivered till Wednesday, when the Speaker will be presented.

Tuesday, May 18.

Sir Barnard Turner and Mr. Mainwaring breakfasted here, and we afterwards went together to the House of Commons, and in the clerk's room were sworn in before the Duke of Chandos, Lord High Steward, who attended with his white wand, but made us wait three hours. Mr. Cornwall was proposed as Speaker by Lord Graham, which was seconded by Sir George Howard. Mr. Fox complained of the High Bailiff

of Westminster, as a rascal, a villain, the worst enemy of the freedom of election on record, because he had made a special return of all the facts, stating the numbers only, and leaving the decision to the House. By this return Mr. Fox is said to lose near 25,000l. which he had betted on the being returned *. Mr. Whitbread called Mr. Fox to order, because the conduct of the High Bailiff of Westminster had nothing to do with the election of a Speaker. Mr. Pitt observed that it was impossible then to consider the merit or the demerit of the High Bailiff, as we could not call for the return of Westminster till we had a Speaker. Mr. Cornwall was then unanimously elected, and the House immediately adjourned. To-morrow the King comes again to the House of Lords, and will approve thechoice which the Commons

* An election tale without foundation.-Edit.

have made, as we all suppose. So much for the dull politics of this day. George Selwyn says all the Scotch blood of Charles Fox was made mad to-day.

Mr. Hutton dined and drank tea. My brother Israel drank tea. The sole reason he gives for his return is the dearness of every thing at Dominica, and the little chance of any thing to answer.

Mrs. Banks, Mrs. Gordon, &c. have sent affectionate messages about you.

Alderman Oliver died on his return to Europe on board the same packet with Israel-Corsican Boswell is come to settle in London-To-morrow I dine at Mrs. Stafford's, and on Thursday at Colonel Gordon's, with Captain Pascall.

We have now an Italian sky and genial zephyrs. My invocation to May has been heard, although not so soon as I wished-I hope the air is as silky soft with you as it is with us-You were very

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