till two in the morning, because it is moonlight and her chair is not come.  All this does not help my morning laziness; and, by the time I have breakfasted, fed my birds and my squirrels, and dressed, there is an auction ready.  In short, Madam, this was my life last week, and is I think every week, with the addition of forty episodes.  Yet, ridiculous as it is, I send it your ladyship, because I had rather you should laugh at me than be angry.  I cannot offend you in intention, but I fear my sins of omission are equal to many a good Christian’s.  Pray forgive me.  I really will begin to be between forty and fifty by the time I am fourscore; and I truly believe I shall bring my resolutions within compass; for I have not chalked out any particular business that will take me above forty years more; so that, if I do not get acquainted with the grandchildren of all the present age, I shall lead a quiet sober life yet before I die.

As Mr. Bateman’s is the kingdom of flowers, I must not wish to send you any; else, Madam, I should load wagons with acacias, honeysuckles, and seringas.  Madame de Juliac, who dined here owned that the climate and odours equalled Languedoc.  I fear the want of rain made the turf put her in mind of it, too.  Monsieur de Caraman entered into the gothic spirit of the place, and really seemed pleased, which was more than I expected; for, between you and me, Madam, our friends the French have seldom eyes for any thing they have not been used to see all their lives.  I beg my warmest compliments to your host and Lord Ilchester.  I wish your ladyship all pleasure and health, and am, notwithstanding my idleness, your most faithful and devoted humble servant.

Letter 256 To George Montagu, Esq.  Arlington Street, Saturday night. (page 409)

I must scrawl a line to you, though with the utmost difficulty, for I am in my bed; but I see they have foolishly put it into the Chronicle that I am dangerously ill; and as I know you take in that paper, and are one of the very, very few, of whose tenderness and friendship I have not the smallest doubt, I give myself pain, rather than let you feel a moment’s unnecessarily.  It is true, I have had a terrible attack of the gout in my stomach, head, and both feet, but have truly never been in danger any more than one must be in such a situation.  My head and stomach are perfectly well; my feet far from it.  I have kept my room since this day se’nnight, and my bed these three days, but hope to get up to-morrow.  You know my writing and my veracity, and that I would not deceive you.  As to my person, it will not be so easy to reconnoitre it, for I question whether any of it will remain; it was easy to annihilate so airy a substance.  Adieu!

Letter 257 To The Hon. H. S. Conway.  Wednesday noon, July 3, 1765. (page 410)