The Emp(eror), I forgot to tell you, said that he had now in his pay, and ready for service, 300,000 men and 40,000 horse.  I have heard before the same thing.  He is attentive to the greatest detail; he travels and lives in journeys, and at such places as Bruges and Ghent, with the utmost temperance and simplicity.  He refuses audiences to no one individual, [so] that he is occupied with that and his reviews from very early in the morning till it is dark.  He speaks French without the least accent whatsoever.  He has a dark complexion, bazane, but very lively eyes, and fine teeth, and a most manly carriage, with great affability.  We all went home to bed in admiration of this Emperor.

He received a letter from Belgioso while the Duke of Gloucester was there.  I have no doubt but what passes at Brooks’s makes part of the despatch.  He reads all our papers in English, so I asked Lord Malden if he said anything of my jokes, and was mortified to find that they had escaped his Imp[erial] Majesty’s observations.  But he has read some of them, sans doute, so I may have the same vanity as poor Dick Edgcumbe had, of thinking that the Emperor of Constantinople had from the windows of his seraglio heard him play upon the kettle drums.

I heard no more of an approaching Peace.  Dr. Gemm assures me that the French will make no overtures towards it, and that we must ask it ourselves.  The Emperor does not seem to be of opinion that we shall subdue our Colonies, but thinks our cause a just one.  He does not seem favourable to the French, or to like his sister the French Queen.  He said one day, que la bongress(?) ma soeur aime la France; that, if she does, deserves another reflection; his is not a just one; elle aime les dames francoises, cela n’est pas a douter.  La Princesse de Carignan et Me. de Polignac en sont temoins.

Gregg has been here for (a) quarter of an hour; he came to desire that I would meet Lord Ravensworth at dinner at his house next Sunday.  It is the day I go to Streatham.  I have told you that I have now fixed to be there from Saturday till Tuesday m(orning) each week during my lease.  I asked Gregg when he went into the North; he has fixed no time.  I asked him if he went alone; he said yes.  It is an idea of mine that he would not dislike the carrying Mrs. Gregg and his daughter with him, if while he went into Cumberland he had your permission to leave them at Castle Howard.  I have thought it proper to hint this to you, because, if you cho(o)se to make him that offer, you may.  He does not expect it; and I do assure you that I will not say one single word to him to let him understand that I had mentioned (it).  I do not, indeed, believe that he would like that I should; so whatever you do, I beg not to be committed.