Swinburne a piece of intelligence so interesting to her, as the repeal of the edict respecting carriages.

I am sorry for the King of France's journey to Cherburg. It shews an attention to the marine, which, as an Englishman, I wish he did not possess.

I shall certainly get acquainted with Cagliostro, but I have heard nothing of him yet at London.

Mr. and Mrs. Necker have all the Swiss pride and ill-breeding, but they are distinguished enough for you to wish being acquainted with them, as well as the ugly Ambassadress*.

* Why is the reserve of Necker attributed to pride? Mr. Wilkes's good-nature might have afforded him a more natural solution. To seek too an acquaintance with those whom we dislike, merely because they are distinguished, is not, perhaps, consonant either to the petite or the grande morale.-EDIT.

What an eternal, stunning alarum belongs to the lady in

Street!

She has however a little smattering of knowledge and taste, but a very small portion of wit. She sunk us all last week into a deadly lassitude. He escaped it by being in the North; but use may have reconciled him to it, as it does a miller to his mill.

Adieu !

LETTER XLIV.

Prince's Court,

Tuesday, July 4, 1786.

YESTERDAY morning I receiv

ed, my dearest Polly, the favour of your letter, and the three prints. That of L'Amour Ramoneur is truly whimsical, and the female figure interesting. Soon after came the Mercure, &c. with Cagliostro's new Memoire; for all which I thank you very much.

I was yesterday at the Cosways'. Mrs. Cosway said smilingly, "Miss Wilkes has forgot me, Mr. Wilkes, but you have not." I had sent her a fine haunch of venison. She put me in mind of a promise to breakfast there, and wanted much to send you something. I found it was a drawing to be taken of me, but I evaded

it, by referring her to Buffon's Histoire Naturelle, where was a great likeness of me among the Sapajous and the Sagouins. He has lately done some very pleasing things.

Mr. Swinburne is returned from the North in improved health. That family intend to leave London on Thursday sevennight, and go to Paris by Brighthelmstone and Dieppe. I shall send the Dutchess the egg-grotto by them.

To-morrow I give a turtle to Mr. and Mrs. Hastings, Mademoiselle D'Eon, Mr. and Mrs. Swinburne, Mrs. Motte, Major Scott, and Mr. Rigby; when I am sure we shall not forget libations to your health.

Lord Rodney talks of impeaching Lord Lansdowne for giving up the letters and documents in his office, which proved the guilt of many British subjects at St. Eustatius, who are now suing him, as no

proof remains against them. There are ninety actions against him, and he told me that he should soon be 200,000l. worse than nothing. He talks likewise of suing Lord Lansdowne for damages to the amount of 500,000l. All this seems very strange, and I see no relief but by an Act of Parliament in the next session. I send you Rodney's curious. affidavits.

and-Captain M

Sir William B have given up housekeeping at Lisle, and are gone into lodgings, though without any formal quarrel; yet separate lodgings. The Captain is come on a visit to England for a short time. Mrs. M-, Miss, and the Captain, are now at No. 48, Charing Cross; but the Captain chooses not to appear. I think he is more trifling and silly than ten years ago. The father returned with the Captain, and a variety of negotiations are carrying on in that distracted family. Lady Cler