spirits in Elysium. Their refined purity and celestial innocence were happily figured by Parisian females in white; and no doubt their thoughts, words, and actions, were as pure, and free from the dross of worldly appetites.

Prince's Court, Tuesday, June 29.

The important business of this day, is the swearing in Brook Watson as Alderman, and the eating a good dinner at the Mansion-house. I dined there Midsummer-day. The Mayor is gentleman-like, and very good-humoured. Rosenhagen dined here yesterday, and talked of a four months tour to the south of France, from which I warmly dissuaded him. The state of his finances, and the revival of mad, extravagant ideas, are, I think, insuperable objections.

Your packet with the Sorrows of Werter, newspapers, &c. went last night.

Mrs. Gordon promised that she would speak handsomely of me to you, and in the postscript of her letter, where ladies always tell the whole truth. I have not yet received the Almanach Royal of 1784. Elmsly says it is not in London. Be so good as to send it.

Adieu !

Tuesday Night, June 29.

Since I wrote the other pages, I

have been at Somerset Place to talk of Captain Cook's medal to the officers of the Royal Society. The members of the Society have only copper medals. The King, Queen, King of France, Empress of Russia, and Captain Cook's widow, have each a medal of gold. A few of silver have been struck for distinguished members of the Society, paying a certain sum, but not one has been sold, and the die is to be broke.

I have one of silver exquisitely beautiful, which I shall desire the Dutchesss to accept. I will not venture it by a common conveyance, and therefore I shall wait on Lord Carmarthen, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, to beg that it may go to the Hotel de la Valliere with his next courier to Paris. I am really charmed with the device and execution, the shirtcollar, &c. of the modern Gothic dress excepted.

I have visited our neighbour Mrs. Smith this afternoon, where I found Mrs. Gordon, and all three joined in calling you rake, and regretting your midnight travelling from Versailles to Paris. The good old lady joins in all my fears for the excess of your hurry and fatigue, without sufficient repose; and in this only we are ready to blame the excellent Dutchess, and I wish I was near enough to tell her so.

Good night, dearest Polly,

LETTER XIV.

Friday, July 2, 1784.

I ENCLOSE you, my dearest Polly, a bill of Sir Robert Herries on Messieurs Girardot, Haller, and Co. at. Paris, for 600 livres, which I dare say they will pay, if it is any convenience to you, as soon as it is presented, without taking the three days grace, or seven days sight. I thought this might be a convenience to you, before you settle your great objects. Perhaps the same bankers will give you cash for a draft on me at two usances, as you drew before. I wish to know in time whether you return by Spa, for perhaps Sir Robert Her. ries could accommodate you by his bills to that place, without your running the risk of carrying with you more cash

than might be necessary for your jour

ney.

I wrote yesterday to Lord Carmarthen, and with the letter sent a small box, containing Captain Cook's beautiful medal in silver, as the dignified mode of sending to your Dutchess by our Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.

I thought that you would be pleased with more tea, and therefore sent to Brookes's for two more pounds, which I have had divided into six flat parcels with thin lead for the better keeping of the tea, and the convenience of the carriage. I have already sent two parcels, and shall send one or two more next Tuesday. It must go in small parcels, as it is strongly prohibited.

Friday Night.

This has been a day of much real

business in the House of Commons, the

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