's

I have engaged Sir Wm. Bservant Thomas, who I understand shaves and dresses hair very well, and Sir William recommends for honesty and sobriety. He is to have the same wages as my present servant, to wear a livery, go behind a coach when desired, and to do whatever he is ordered.

to

I hear that what passed at Captain Sutton's action for damages against Commodore Johnstone, prevents the young couple's leaving England at present. I am glad of it, for Lady B- told

me, that she expected to see you before I did. I have not seen very much of them, but our dear cousin's situation I believe is not to be envied, nor are all her ways strewed with roses. Sir William told me, that upon an idea of Mrs. M's living abroad with her son, Mrs. M said, she would then

leave her husband, which put an end to

the plan. Mrs. Gordon will write to you more authenticly on this head. I am upon the most easy terms with our neighbours, and have once dined therebeen invited several times. They came to see Sherwin's fine print at the house which glories in giving you an apartment.

Mr. Pitt is highly extolled for his late proposition to abolish smuggling, and lay an adequate duty on windows to make up the loss to the revenue, from lowering the duty on tea. He establishes himself more and more in the hearts of the people. Mr. Fox said, that the popular delusion in his favour was at an end, and the frenzy had subsided. The very popular election for the Borough in favour of Le Mesurier, who started under every disadvantage, and the most highly applauded re-election of Mr. Wilkes, so long and openly threatened with opposition, demonstrate the contrary.

Sir Cecil Wray has published an honest, but ill-written defence of his conduct, in "A Letter to the independent Electors of Westminster, in the Interest of Lord Hood and Sir Cecil Wray," signed by himself. The style is not flowing, but shockingly disjointed, and choked with parentheses. It is not worth sending you, nor shall I, unless you desire it.

I wish to know the Paris opinion of the Comte de Grasse, and his conduct, with what passed at the court martial respecting him only, which I cannot find out by our papers. Sir B-rn-rd T-rn-r's executors take by their bonds the 14,000l. left. The rest of the 38,000l. which he owed, will be totally unpaid, and one of her brothers, a Mr. S, a creditor for 9500l. is totally ruined. He made an uproar at the funeral, that the body should be thrown into the Thames, instead of pomp and military procession.

Your bedchamber is finished, and this week I shall have your dressing-room entirely new done. Mr. Harris expects this week some small elegancies of spar, which I shall send the Dutchess. They will be in an entirely new style, but we bar all accidents from bad Derbyshire roads. You may however give a distant hint of what is in contemplation, and what pleasure I have in thinking what may be agreeable to her. Cox has not yet been with me according to his promise.

You did not mention when the Dutchess's fête was.

Monday, June 28.

Last night I received your packet

with the letters to the Duke of Richmond, Dr. Price, &c. &c. I thank you for the book, song, &c. &c. I believe your letter of June 21 came since I wrote last. You were very prudent in

not visiting Madame Suard, whose reputation I hear is not a little tarnished. Have you seen Monsieur Suard? I have just now yours of June 24, which gave me the highest pleasure, and I saw with you the Opera at Trianon, and the launching of the air-balloon, the expense of both which must have been enormous.

I saw Elmsly to-day, and he will send you the prints you desired this week. He has had the utmost difficulty in procuring them without the book.

I am not yet certain as to the account of the medal said to be struck in honour of Captain Cook, by the Royal Society. If the fact is so, and the members have each one, mine will be a present to the Dutchess. I will make the inquiry before the next post, and let the Divinity, for so she is, know my intention.

I smiled at the idea of the French ladies in white, to represent the blessed