I have taken a master, not to forget my Italian-don’t it look like returning to Florence’!-some time or other.  Good night.  Yours ever and ever, my dear child.

178 Letter 37
To Sir Horace Mann. 
London, Oct. 19, 1741, O. S.
[Great part wanting.]

I write to you up to the head and ears in dirt, straw, and unpacking.  I have been opening all my cases from the Custom-house the whole morning; and-are not you glad?-every individual safe and undamaged.  I am fitting up an apartment in Downing Street ***(258) was called in the morning, and was asleep as soon as his head touched the pillow, for I have frequently known him snore ere they had drawn his curtains, now never sleeps above an hour without waking; and he, who at dinner always forgot he was minister, and was more gay and thoughtless than all his company, now sits without speaking, and with his eyes fixed for an hour together.  Judge if this is the Sir Robert you knew.

The politics of the age are entirely suspended; nothing is mentioned; but this bottling them up, will make them fly out with the greater violence the moment the parliament meets; till *** a word to you about this affair.

I am sorry to hear the Venetian journey of the Suares family; it does not look as if the Teresina was to marry PandOlfini; do you know, I have set my heart upon that match.

You are very good to the Pucci, to give her that advice, though I don’t suppose she will follow it.  The Bolognese scheme *** In return for Amorevoli’s letter, he has given me two.  I fancy it will be troublesome to you; so put his wife into some other method of correspondence with him.

Do you love puns?  A pretty man of the age came into the playhouse the other night, booted and spurred:  says he, “I am come to see Orpheus"-"And Euridice- You rid I see,” replied another gentleman.

(258) The omissions in these letters marked with stars occur in the original ms.-D.

179 Letter 38 To Sir Horace Mann.  London, Oct. 22, 1741, O. S.

Your brother has been with me this morning, and we have talked over your whole affair.  He thinks it will be impossible to find any servant of the capacities you require, that will live with you under twenty, if not thirty pounds a-year, especially as he is not to have your clothes:  then the expense of the journey to Florence, and of back again, in case you should not like him, will be considerable.  He is for your taking one from Leghorn; but I, who know a little more of Leghorn than he does, should be apprehensive of any person from thence being in the interest of Goldsworthy, (259) or too attached to the merchants:  in short, I mean, he would be liable to prove a spy upon you.  We have agreed that I shall endeavour to find out a proper man, if such a one will go to you for twenty pounds a-year, and then you shall ficar from me.  I am very sensible that Palombo (260) is not fit for you, and shall be extremely diligent