on the part of Mr. Pitt, gives an account of his whole political life; and, in that respect, is tedious to those who were acquainted with it before; but, at the latter end, there is an article that expresses such supreme contempt of Lord T-----, and in so pretty a manner, that I suspect it to be Mr. Pitt’s own:  you shall judge yourself, for I here transcribe the article:  “But this I will be bold to say, that had he (Lord T-----) not fastened himself into Mr. Pitt’s train, and acquired thereby such an interest in that great man, he might have crept out of life with as little notice as he crept in; and gone off with no other degree of credit, than that of adding a single unit to the bills of mortality” I wish I could send you all the pamphlets and half-sheets that swarm here upon this occasion; but that is impossible; for every week would make a ship’s cargo.  It is certain, that Mr. Pitt has, by his dignity of Earl, lost the greatest part of his popularity, especially in the city; and I believe the Opposition will be very strong, and perhaps prevail, next session, in the House of Commons; there being now nobody there who can have the authority and ascendant over them that Pitt had.

People tell me here, as young Harvey told you at Dresden, that I look very well; but those are words of course, which everyone says to everybody.  So far is true, that I am better than at my age, and with my broken constitution, I could have expected to be.  God bless you!

LETTER CCXC

Blackheath, September 12, 1766.

My Dear friend:  I have this moment received your letter of the 27th past.  I was in hopes that your course of waters this year at Baden would have given you a longer reprieve from your painful complaint.  If I do not mistake, you carried over with you some of Dr. Monsey’s powders.  Have you taken any of them, and have they done you any good?  I know they did me a great deal.  I, who pretend to some skill in physic, advise a cool regimen, and cooling medicines.

I do not wonder, that you do wonder, at Lord C-----’s conduct.  If he was
not outwitted into his peerage by Lord B——­, his accepting it is utterly
inexplicable.  The instruments he has chosen for the great office, I
believe, will never fit the same case.  It was cruel to put such a boy as
Lord G—–­over the head of old Ligonier; and if I had been the former, I
would have refused that commission, during the life of that honest and
brave old general.  All this to quiet the Duke of R——­to a resignation,
and to make Lord B——­Lieutenant of Ireland, where, I will venture to
prophesy, that he will not do.  Ligonier was much pressed to give up his
regiment of guards, but would by no means do it; and declared that the
King might break him if he pleased, but that he would certainly not break
himself.

I have no political events to inform you of; they will not be ripe till the meeting of the parliament.  Immediately upon the receipt of this letter, write me one, to acquaint me how you are.