Madam, one of your slaves, a fine young officer, brought me two days ago a very pretty medal from your ladyship.  Amidst all your triumphs you do not, I see, forget your English friends, and it makes me extremely happy.  He pleased me still more, by assuring me that you return to England when the campaign opens.  I can pay this news by none so good as by telling you that we talk of nothing but peace.  We are equally ready to give law to the world, or peace.  MartiniCO has not made us intractable.  We and the new Czar are the best sort of people upon earth:  I am sure, Madam, you must adore him; he is ,,, to resign all his conquests, that you and Mr. Conway may be settled again at Park-place.  My Lord Chesterfield, with the despondence of an old man and the wit of a young one, thinks the French and Spaniards must make some attempt upon these islands, and is frightened lest we should not be so well prepared to repel invasions as to make them:  he says, “What will it avail us if we gain the whole world, and lose our own soul!”

I am here alone, Madam, and know nothing to tell you.  I came from town on Saturday for the worst cold I ever had in my life, and, what I care less to own even to myself, a cough.  I hope Lord Chesterfield will not speak more truth in what I have quoted, than in his assertion, that one need not cough if one did not please.  It has pulled me extremely, and you may believe I do not look very plump, when I am more emaciated that usual.  However, I have taken James’s powder for four nights, and have found great benefit from it; and if Miss Conway does not come back with soixante et douze quartiers, and the hauteur of a landgravine, I think I shall still be able to run down the precipices at Park-place with her-This is to be understood, supposing that we have any summer.  Yesterday was the first moment that did not feel like Thule:  not a glimpse of spring or green, except a miserable almond tree, half opening one bud, like my Lord PowersCOurt’S eye.

It will be warmer, I hope, by the King’s birthday, or the old ladies will catch their deaths.  There is a court dress to be instituted—­(to thin the drawing-rooms)—­stiff-bodied gowns and bare shoulders.  What dreadful discoveries will be made both on fat and lean!  I recommend to you the idea of Mrs. Cavendish, when half-stark; and I might fill the rest of my paper with such images, but your imagination will supply them; and you shall excuse me, though I leave this a short letter:  but I wrote merely to thank your ladyship for the medal, and, as you perceive, have very little to say, besides that known and lasting truth, how much I am Mr. Conway’s and your ladyship’s faithful humble servant.

Letter 119 To George Montagu, Esq.  Arlington Street, March 9, 1762. (PAGE 177)