threatening, and the more under bad

management.

I hope the second son of my good old friend Baron d'H-lb-ch will compensate to that worthy family for all the deficiences of the eldest.

I am very much the humble servant of the Prince de la Tremoïlle, of Monsieur Dalain, and of all who do me the honour to inquire after me.

The Gordons are well, and invited me to dinner on Wednesday, but I am engaged. He dined here last week. I have not yet been able to see Miss Smith.

I wish you to mention what you paid for

the last letter, with the

many

enclosures.

"Kew House, Dec. 2, 1788.

"His Majesty has had some sleep at intervals; the disorder still continues,

with some little abatement.

"G. BAKER.

"L. PEPYS."

LETTER LXIX.

Prince's Court,

Friday, Dec. 6, 1788.

MY DEAREST POLLY,

I ATTENDED on Wednesday

night at the Cockpit in consequence of a formal letter from the Chancellor of the

Exchequer. The attendance was very numerous. Mr. Pitt only observed that nothing new had occurred in the state of the King's health, that the Privy Council had examined the Physicians on oath, that the questions and answers would be laid before Parliament, that he meant to move an adjournment to Monday, and the call of the House to be adjourned till Thursday fortnight.

Yesterday the House of Commons met: near 400 Members attended. Mr.

Pitt presented the report of the Physicians, and moved that it lie on the table, for the House to proceed upon next Monday. Mr. Vyner wished, for the dignity of the House, that an examination might be instituted by them. Mr. Pitt replied, that that was a future consideration, for Monday. Perhaps the examination before us might be satisfactory, it was taken on oath before the Privy Council: the House of Commons could not administer an oath, &c. &c. &c. Mr. Fox was there, looked extremely ill, spoke short, but approved the adjournment to Monday.

Sh. is said to be the great favourite of the Pr.

L-referred us to Mr.

of Queen

Square, who had that house of him. H. speaks of him as a —

and

Seddons shook his head, when I mentioned him, and said he had heard more

than he chose to repeat. Price reduced his objections to writing, and has not yet an answer to one of them. I much fear the present scheme cannot succeed, but I shall be ready to adopt another on your return. I hear Lord Carmarthen's house is to be disposed of. I have an agent employed for that purpose. Since I wrote the above,

has

been here, and insists on the excellence of his title. I asked why his lawyer

had not answered any of the

queries Mr. Price gave him in writing. He did not know. I said I would do nothing, till my lawyer assured me that I was safe. The call of the House was adjourned only till next Thursday, but it is supposed that it will then be postponed again.

I have finished all my Chamberlain's business to my satisfaction, and to-morrow morning I set out for the Isle of

Wight. The office does not open till the Tuesday after Plough Monday, which is January 12. My stay in the Isle of Wight will depend entirely on my health, the weather, &c. &c. &c. I shall write regularly to my dearest daughter, and hope to hear as regularly from her, with all the allowances of two sea voyages for the letters, and double carriage by land.

I have been myself at Kirkup's. He has no scissars under a guinea per pair, but expects such as you mention in two or three days, and likewise watch-chains, of which he had only one imperfect. I have settled with him about the packing, and sending them to Guyon's.

You will have by to-morrow's diligence the new Calendar, &c.

Miss Smith is amazingly well, and sends you a thousand compliments.