LETTER LXVII.

Prince's Court,

Friday, Nov. 28, 1788.

MY DEAREST POLLY,

WE all continue in the same state of anxiety respecting the King's health. His strength continues the same, and he as usual eats plain and simple food, with a tolerable appetite. There have been many gleams of returning self-command, and flattering hopes are entertained of a perfect, although not a very speedy, recovery.

The political caballing is as great as I remember at any time. The text is a regent, or a regency. The City seem. very decidedly for the latter. Mr. Malone says the chances are three to one for F. I believe them to be three to two

for P.'s plan. You may guess what that is. All the monied property, and most of the landed, are for the latter. As the enclosures cost so little, I enclose two or three more.

The postman has just enriched me with two letters of yours of the 19th and 22d, and I have two likewise from the two Dutchesses. I feel as I ought their attention in answering me so soon, and I beg you to let them know it. They are both models of taste, ease, and elegance.

The Dutchess de la Valliere presses in such very obliging terms your staying till after the chandeleur, that it is impossible for me not to acquiesce. I observe that it happens on the 2d of February, and the full moon on the 10th. The chandeleur is on Tuesday; so that you leave Paris towards the end of

if

that week, you will have the benefit of moonlight for your voyage and journey. I am delighted with your description your apartments at the Dutchess's.

of

As to Leguillon, I will trouble you to call on him at your return to Calais.

I shall execute all your commissions next week, and will write to Mr. Paice, although I run the risk of a folio page quite full in return.

I send you two most extraordinary prints, for which the P.'s solicitor is prosecuting Fores, three letters, and an almanack. The next week I shall send you a Court Calendar; but from the particular nature of what I have sent, I thought it best not to swell this parcel.

I paid last week your taxes for the coach, &c. amounting to 41.12s. 8d. which will go into our little account.

Did you see the Dutchess de Chastillon's letter? If you did not, shall I send

you a copy of it? It is well worth transcribing.

Father H-tton is dreadfully attacked in the papers, and his confessions, &c. I gratify your pious wishes about the prayers. Ours I think the worst, and the Irish the best.

Adieu!

LETTER LXVIII.

Prince's Court,

Tuesday, Dec. 2, 1788,

MY DEAREST POLLY,

I AM glad that our Sovereign,

as well as our other friends, has survived the last month, so fatal to Englishmen. You may be assured that his health is

rather better, and the removal to Kew has been attended with no bad consequence. I believe it is not yet settled, at least it has not transpired, what Parliament is to do on Thursday. I rather incline to think that it will be another short prorogation.

I have just received the favour of your letter to the 27th inclusive, and the same post has brought one to Betty. I shall be impatient to hear that you have the prints I sent by Guyon. Thursday's diligence will bring you some more curiosities; and you will of course examine the inside of the books, pamphlets, &c.

I received to-day No. 47 of the Mercure de France, and Nos. 323 and Supplement, 324, 325, 326, and 327 of the Journal de Paris, and the pamphlet.

I am much alarmed at the state of the good Dutchess's health. Such a disorder at so advanced a period of life is very