Lord Grenville has recommended to the Treasury, the taking my extraordinary expences into consideration.

I have fully demonstrated, to Lord Grenville and Treasury, that eight thousand pounds is absolutely necessary for the clearing off my unfunded debt, without making up for my losses.

Upon the whole, then, I do not expect to get more than the nett annuity above mentioned, and the eight thousand pounds.  But, unless that is granted, I shall, indeed, have been very ill-used!  I hope, in my next, to be able to inform your Lordship that all has been finally settled.

I am busy in putting in order the remains of my vases and pictures, that you so kindly saved for me on board the Fourdroyant; and the sale of them will enable me to go on more at my ease, and not leave a debt unpaid.  But, unfortunately, there have been too many picture sales this year, and mine will come late.

Adieu! my very dear Lord.  May health and success attend you, wherever you go!  And, I flatter myself, this political jumble may hasten a peace, and bring you back soon.

Your Lordship’s ever obliged, and most sincerely attached, friend and servant,

  Wm. HAMILTON.

VIII.

  Piccadilly, February 20th, 1801.

MY DEAR LORD,

You need not be the least alarmed, that Emma has commissioned me to send you the newspapers; and write you a line, to tell you that she is much better—­having vomited naturally, and is now purposing to take a regular one of tartar emetic.

All her convulsive complaints certainly proceed from a foul stomach; and I will answer for it, she will be in spirits to write to you herself to-morrow.

Adieu! my very dear Lord.  I have not a moment to lose, as the bell is going.

Your ever attached and obliged humble servant,

  Wm. HAMILTON.

IX.

  Piccadilly, March 7th, 1801.

MY VERY DEAR LORD,

I wish it was in my power to profit of your kind invitation; you would soon see me and Emma on board the St. George:  but I am now totally occupied in preparing for the sale of my pictures, and what I have saved of my vases.

To my great satisfaction, I have found some of the most capital vases; and which I thought, surely, lost on board the Colossus.  It has comforted me much.

We remain in the same cruel state with respect to the King’s recovery.  There can be no doubt, but that his Majesty is better.  However, if my conjectures are true, the Regency must soon take place:  as it may be long before his Majesty could be troubled with business, supposing even his fever to have totally subsided; and, the times admit of no delays.

We see, now, the certainty of the French squadron’s being in the Mediterranean.  God knows, how all this will end!  But I hope it will be your Lordship’s lot to bring Paul to his senses.