LETTER XXXII.

Prince's Court,

Friday Morning, May 19, 1786.

JAMES is just arrived, my dear

est Polly, and has brought me the welcome news, that you were in perfect health yesterday, and the wind quite propitious for your passage. I have to thank you for three favours, the billet left on the table, and your letters from Sittingbourn and Dover.

I went yesterday to Sir Robert Herries's, and purchased you a bill on Paris, at seven days sight, for 960 livres, or 40 Louis. I paid for it only 391. 6s. 8d. so that reckoning guineas and Louis as the same in travelling, you gain near 6 per cent. I am to return you 13s. 4d. out of the 401. I enclose the bill.

I paid yesterday your coach, servant's tax, &c. 61. 13s. 11d. Mr. and Mrs. Gordon dine here to-day, and I enclose the lady's note, and the Dornford's defeat.

account of

I will see the Swinburnes to-morrow. I suppose you will write to Mrs. Swinburne as soon as you arrive at Paris.

Lord Surrey's motion for a committee to inquire into the state of Parliamentary representation, was lost yesterday by 31.

I desire to be laid at the feet of the Dutchess de la Valliere, with a thousand expressions of attachment and devotion.

I am impatient for the account of your arrival on the Gallic coast.

My dearest Polly, adieu.

LETTER XXXIII.

Prince's Court,

Tuesday, May 23, 1786.

YOUR letter from Calais, my dearest Polly, made me very happy, and gave great satisfaction to our good neighbours, who are become impatient to hear of your having passed the sea with safety. I went with it to Blenheim Street, and gave your compliments to all that worthy family, with our joint acknowledgments respecting Mrs. Susan. Mr. Swinburne is going into Yorkshire for ten days, but he goes en garçon.

I received your letter by the Dover post yesterday at three.

A French gentleman brought here a letter from Lady B

directed to you

or me. It contained only the common

news of Lisle, and the hope of seeing you there.

I wrote to you last Friday, and enclosed Sir Robert Herries's bill for forty Louis at seven days sight.

I wish you to send me, to the care of Monsieur Leguillon at Calais, "Voyage en Italie, par Monsieur de la Lande, avec un Atlas, 9 vol. in 12mo. brochés, seconde edition, corrigée et augmentée." The Gordons dined with me on Friwith great regard.

day, and talked of you

and affection.

Mrs. Banks, Mrs. Smith, &c. &c. &c. have made many inquiries.

Tuesday sevennight is now fixed for Mr. Burke to exhibit his first charge against Mr. Hastings, respecting the Rohilla war, and I think it probable that may terminate the whole business. I saw him yesterday, in the same calm, philosophical temper, which has always

distinguished him, in the most trying

situations.

Adieu, my dearest Polly.

LETTER XXXIV.

Prince's Court,

Friday, May 26, 1786.

YOUR letter from Paris of the

21st arrived in good time yesterday, my dearest Polly, to comfort me under the loss of the single article in the Portland Museum, on which I had set my heart, to present to you. I thought that I had left a splendid commission, 351. It sold for 381. 178. I inquired the name of the purchaser, and was directed to Jefferies and Jones. I went to them, but