Dr. Price, is not yet arrived. Mrs. Gordon I saw to-day; and she sends ten thousand tender respects to you. I made her a present of Sussex-down mutton, when I was at Brighthelmstone. She and the Colonel continue their obliging attention to my interests.

I wish the K. of S. had courage enough to come here. What charming derrydown songs and catches we should make about his jumping out of his own parlourwindow into his garden, from the dread of one of his free nobles, who had penetrated into his guard-room, his setting the stave of a psalm like a parish-clerk, &c. &c.? Pray give the Dutchess these anecdotes of the tyrant.

The servants all send their duty. Thomas leaves me Monday fortnight,, but I am not provided.

Good night, dearest Polly..

LETTER X.

Friday, June 18, 1784.

YESTERDAY, my dearest Polly,

was sacred to the powers of dulness, and the anniversary meeting of the Quintuple Alliance, when I was obliged to eat stale fish, and swallow foul port, with Sir Cecil Wray, Mr. Martin the banker, Dr. Jebb, &c. to promote the grand reform of Parliament. I was forced into the chair, and was so far happy as to be highly applauded, both for a long speech, and my conduct as president through an arduous day. I have not however authenticated to the public any account of the day's proceeding, nor given to the press the various new-fangled toasts, which were the amusement of the hour, and should perish with it.

Mr. Brook Watson was yesterday unanimously chosen Alderman of Cordwainer's Ward; and Mr. Alderman Pickett, Sheriff.

I received the parcel yesterday, and have sent to Dr. Price, Mr. Elmsly, Mrs. Molineux, &c. Mrs. M. came to town from Bath on Wednesday, and appears in tolerable health and spirits.

Your charming Dutchess, I think, always judges right. It would not tell to your advantage, that you had visited the Duke de Bouillon at Navarre, let the party even be ever so splendid.

Lady B has sent a letter here for you, which I enclose in the packet which I shall send this night.

I keep all the enclosures, as well as your letters. I am much pleased with every testimony of regard to my dearest daughter.

Every body complains of the disagreeableness of the House of Commons, although the weather is not sultry. I think however the House will continue sitting till the middle of July, and they find us business enough.

The Westminster scrutiny will be a standing dish, through the summer and autumn, and keeps all the politicians in town, who would otherwise take flight from the House of Commons.

I cannot guess at any thing new for a Dutchess, who has every thing; but the famous jeweller, Cox, is to come here in three or four days, and to bring me some petite elegance.

I almost tremble at the idea of the too frequent balls for the King of Sweden; but I hope your prudence will keep you from that excess of fatigue, which destroys every pleasure, and more than any thing mines the constitution.

I hope M. does not talk as wretched

stuff as he prints.

Adieu!

LETTER XI.

Tuesday, June 22, 1784.

I AM very happy to confirm to

my dearest Polly the agreeable news of unanimity on Midsummer-day, as far as my intelligence from every quarter extends.

This good news will balance a very disagreeable circumstance respecting Sir Wm. B, which I have from our neighbour Mrs. Gordon, who you well know neither delights in fiction nor scandal. Captain Sutton's action for damages against Governor Johnstone came to trial on Saturday. The da