Offly has had unexpectedly fallen to him, by way of legacy, an estate of some hundreds a year, which enables him to punt till past five in the morning.

I had a very pleasant day yesterday at Gregg’s, and as often as I mention these excursions I have a long dissertation from the Duke [of Queensberry] upon the folly of having a country house at above ten or fourteen miles distance from London; which reflections will end in nothing but a condemnation of what he has, and never procure the enjoyment of that which I am sure he would like above all things if he had it.  His uncertainty is in some measure the cause of my own, but shall not govern it, beyond the present year.

Craigs sets out for Ireland on Thursday.  I am concerned at the account which you give me of Ekins.  I hope to hear no more of your own gout.  But if you feel symptoms of it, pray do not conceal them from me.

I go to-night to Marlborough House,(166) and there is also a promenade at Bedford House,(167) but it is announced that no candles will be lighted.  My nephew Broderick is to have a 500 pound gratuity, and a Majority, and Lord Cornwallis(168) will solicit leave for his purchasing a company in the Guards.

Pray remember me most kindly to Lady Carlisle, and my hearty love to all the children without exception or preference.  If George is to come here again, let me know it.  If not, I shall not expect it.

Charles’s house, like a phoenix from the flames, is new painted, and going to be new furnished, with certain precautions to keep his furniture a l’abri de ses creanciers.  You have heard how he has liquidated the annuity for which you was engaged.  There are still arrears due to you, to a considerable amount.  This Pharo Bank is held in a manner which, being so exposed to public view, bids defiance to all decency and police.  The whole town as it passes views the dealer and the punters, by means of the candles, and the windows being levelled with the ground.  The Opposition, who have Charles for their ablest advocate, is quite ashamed of the proceeding, and hates to hear it mentioned.

I hear of neither deaths, marriages, or preferments; public news come to your knowledge sooner, and with more authenticity, than through me; so I have no more to say at present, but to beg that I may hear from you as often as possible, and that I may have the satisfaction of knowing that you are well.  These assurances cannot be too often repeated to me, who am interested by every degree of affection in knowing whatever concerns you or yours.

My best compliments to Dr. Ekins, and my love once more to George, and to his sisters.  He has wrote as often to me as I expected.  I shall never, as long as I live, forget his assurances upon that head, the tone and air with which he said it, and the cordiality of it.  Il a indubitablement le meilleur des coeurs possibles.

(165) On June 12th Fox moved that the House should resolve itself into a Committee to consider the American war, at the same time moving a further resolution that Ministers should take every possible measure to conclude peace with the American Colonies.  The Motion was rejected by 172 to 99.