be; but the demon of Gaul is busy every where.  The Etats, who are as foolish as atrocious, have printed lists of the surnames which the late noblesse are to assume or resume; as if people did not know their own names.  I like a speech I have heard of the Queen.  She went with the King to see the manufacture of glass, and, as they passed the Halles, the poissardes huzzaed them; “Upon my word,” said the Queen, “these folks are civiler when you visit them, than when they visit you.”  This marked both spirit and good -humour.  For my part, I am so shocked at French barbarity, that I begin to think that our hatred of them is not national prejudice, but natural instinct; as tame animals are born with an antipathy to beasts of prey.

Mrs. Damer tells me in a letter to-day, that Lady Ailesbury was charmed with you both (which did not surprise either of us); and she never saw two persons have so much taste for the country, who have no place of their Own.  It may be so; but begging her ladyship’s pardon and yours, I think that people who have a place of their own, are mighty apt not to like any other.

I feel all the kindness at your determination of coming to Twickenham in August, and shall certainly say no more against it, though I am certain that I shall count every day that passes; and when they are passed, they will leave a melancholy impression on Strawberry, that I had rather have affixed to London.  The two last summers were infinitely the pleasantest I ever passed here, for I never before had an agreeable neighbourhood.  Still I loved the place, and had no comparisons to draw.  Now, the neighbourhood will remain, and will appear ten times worse; with the aggravation of remembering two months that may have some transient roses, but I am sure, lasting thorns.  You tell me I do not write with my usual spirits:  at least I will suppress, as much as I can, the want of them, though I am a bad dissembler.(695)

You do not mention the cathedral at Winchester, which I have twice seen and admired; nor do you say any thing of Bevismount and Netley—­charming Netley!  At Lyndhurst you passed the palatial hovel of my royal nephew; who I have reason to wish had never been so, and did all I could to prevent his being.

The week before last I met the Marlboroughs at Lady Di’s.  The Duchess(696) desired to come and see Strawberry again, as it had rained the whole time she was here last.  I proposed the next morning:  no, she could not:  she expected company to dinner; she believed their brother, Lord Robert(697) would dine with them:  I thought that a little odd, as they had Just turned him out for Oxfordshire; and I thought a dinner no cause at the distance of four miles.  In her grace’s dawdling way, she could fix no time:  and so on Friday, at half an hour after seven, as I was going to Lady North’s, they arrived; and the sun being setting, and the moon not risen, You may judge how much they could see through all the painted glass by twilight.