There are two manifestoes published, signed Charles Prince, Regent for his father, King of Scotland, England, France, and Ireland.  By one, he promises to preserve everybody in their just rights; and orders all persons who have public monies in their hands to bring it to him; and by the other dissolves the union between England and Scotland.  But all this is not the worst!  Notice came yesterday, that there are ten thousand men, thirty transports, and ten men-of-war at Dunkirk.  Against this force we have—­I don’t know what—­scarce fears!  Three thousand Dutch we hope are by this time landed in Scotland; three more are coming hither.  We have sent for ten regiments from Flanders, which may be here in a week, and we have fifteen men-of-war in the Downs.  I am grieved to tell you all this; but when it is so, how can I avoid telling you?  Your brother is just come in, who says he has written to you—­I have not time to expiate.

My Lady O[rford] is arrived; I hear she says, only to endeavour to get a certain allowance.  Her mother has sent to offer her the use of her house.  She is a poor weak woman.  I can say nothing to Marquis Ricardi, nor think of him; only tell him that I will when I have time.

My sister [Lady Maria Walpole] has married herself, that is, declared she will, to young Churchill.  It is a foolish match; but I have nothing to do with it.  Adieu! my dear Sir; excuse my haste, but you must imagine that one is not much at leisure to write long letters—­hope if you can!

THIS AND THE FOLLOWING LETTERS GIVE A LIVELY ACCOUNT OF THE PROGRESS OF THE REBELLION TILL THE RETREAT FROM DERBY, AFTER WHICH NO PARTICULAR INTEREST ATTACHES TO IT.

TO SIR HORACE MANN.

ARLINGTON STREET, Sept. 20, 1745.

One really don’t know what to write to you:  the accounts from Scotland vary perpetually, and at best are never very certain.  I was just going to tell you that the rebels are in England; but my uncle [old Horace] is this moment come in, and says, that an express came last night with an account of their being at Edinburgh to the number of five thousand.  This sounds great, to have walked through a kingdom, and taken possession of the capital!  But this capital is an open town; and the castle impregnable, and in our possession.  There never was so extraordinary a sort of rebellion!  One can’t tell what assurances of support they may have from the Jacobites in England, or from the French; but nothing of either sort has yet appeared—­and if there does not, never was so desperate an enterprise.  One can hardly believe that the English are more disaffected than the Scotch; and among the latter, no persons of property have joined them:  both nations seem to profess a neutrality.  Their money is all gone, and they subsist merely by levying contributions.  But, sure, banditti can never conquer a kingdom!  On the other hand, what cannot any number of men do, who meet no opposition?  They have hitherto taken