Madame de Marchais(226) is charming:  eloquence and attention itself I cannot stir for peaches, nectarines, grapes, and bury pears.  You would think Pomona was in love with me.  I am not so transported with N * * * * cock and hen.  They are a tabor and pipe that I do not understand.  He mouths and she squeaks and neither articulates.  M. d’Entragues I have not seen.  Upon the whole, I am much more pleased with Paris than ever I was; and, perhaps, shall stay a little longer than I intended.  The Harry Grenville’s(227) are arrived.  I dined with them at Madame de Viry’s,(228) who has completed the conquest of France by her behaviour on Madame Clotilde’s wedding, and by the f`etes she gave.  Of other English I wot not, but grieve the Richmonds do not come.  I am charmed with Dr. Bally; nay, and with the King of Prussia—­as much as I can be with a northern monarch.  For your Kragen, I think we ought to procure a female one, and marry it to Ireland, that we may breed some new islands against we have lost America.  I know nothing of said America.  There is not a Frenchman that does not think us distracted.

I used to scold you about your bad writing, and perceive I have written in such a hurry, and blotted my letter so much, that you will not be able to read it:  but consider how few moments I have to myself.  I am forced to stuff my ears with cotton to get any sleep.  However, my journey has done me good.  I have thrown off at least fifteen years.  Here is a letter for my dear Mrs. Damer from Madame de Cambis, who thinks she doats on you all.  Adieu!

P. S. I shall bring you two `eloges of Marshal Catinat; not because I admire them, but because I admire him, because I think him very like you.

(222) Lady Ailesbury had been overturned in her carriage at Park-place, and dislocated her wrist.

223) La Comtesse de Jonsac, sister of the President Henault.

(224) A favourite dog of Madame du Deffand’s.

(225) Third daughter of William second Earl of Harrington, and wife of Richard sixth Earl of Barrymore, who, dying in 1780, left issue Richard and Henry, each of whom became, successively, Earl of Barrymore; a title which expired upon the death of the latter, in 1823.-E.

(226) Madame de Marchais, n`ee Laborde, married to a valet-de-chambre of Louis xv1.  From her intimacy with M. d’Angivillier, Directeur des B`atiments, Jardins, etc. du Roi, She had the opportunity of obtaining the finest fruits and flowers.-E.

(227) Henry Grenville, brother to Earl Temple.  He married Miss Margaret Banks.  He died in 1784.-E.

(228) Miss Harriet Speed.  She had married M. le Comte do Viry when he was minister at London from the Court of Turin.  She is one of the ladies to whom Gray’s “Long Story” is addressed.  For an account of her, see Vol. iii.  P. 160, letter 102.-E.

Letter 97 To The Hon. H. S. Conway.  Paris, Oct. 6, 1775. (page 142)