then, that I am afraid of being left to my own reflections:  elles sont quelque fois fort tristes.  Clubs are better for dissipation than consultation; all which being considered makes me wish myself not alone, or so much in public.  But to find a person who really interests themselves {sic} about you, and is able and willing to give you such advice as applies immediately to your case, is of all things in the world most difficult to meet with, but the most comfortable when you do, and is the utmost service which I ever expect from anybody in this world, and yet what I despair of finding, in the circle in which I move.  I will not fatigue you with any more bavardise.  Remember me most kindly to Lady Carlisle and my cordial love to all the children, and pray let me know how my dear little George goes on.

(171) Joseph ii., Emperor of Germany; he died in 1790.  In 1781 he had declared the Barrier Treaty no longer binding.  See his character, Lecky, “History of England,” vol. v. p. 218.

(1781,) June 19, Tuesday.—­Last night I went, when I came from airing, to White’s, where I stayed in the Chocolate Room till I went home to bed, that is till 12—­Lord Ashburnham, Williams, and I —­hearing Lord Malden’s account of the Emperor, and of the manner of his living, and travelling, and behaving.  It was very amusing and circumstantial.  He is really a great prince dans tous les sens, and by Lord M(alden’s) account a sensible man, with a very amiable address and behaviour.

He talked of the excessive gaming here, and of Charles Fox, and he spoke of him not in terms of very high esteem.  Speaking of his talents and oratory, he said, “Il suffit qu’il dite (dise?) des injures”

What of business there was passed between his R(oyal) H(ighness) and the Emperor; Malden was not of that Cabinet.  I suppose nothing essential is as yet concluded between them.  He promised the Princess Sophia, when he took leave of her, that he should certainly be returned on Sunday, and kept his word very punctually; so something may transpire through her R(oyal) H(ighness’s) channel.

While I was hearing these things, I was called into the vestibule by Gregg, who communicated to me your letter, which corresponded with the last which I received from you.  It is a pity that Warner should not know your just idea of what is right or wrong.  I am and shall be very uneasy till I hear from him.

I observed, in your letter to Gregg, that you press him to solicit the payment of the arrears from Charles.  I had mentioned it in mine to you, as you will find in a few days.  But you will not be surprised at anything which that boy does; you must know not half an hour before Fawkener said that he left Charles a loser (of) 5,000 to General Smith at picquet, and (he) was then playing with him 100 pounds a game.

I go to-night with Mie Mie to the Opera in Lady Townshend’s box, to see this famous dance of Medea and Jason.  The girl had not in her head to go this year any more to the Opera, but Lady Townshend made this party.  It will be etouffante; Vestris, it is said, dances for the last time.