(285) General Wachtendonck, commander of the great dukes troops at Leghorn, was cicisbeo to the conslil’s wife there.

(286) John Lord Hervey, lord privy seal, and eldest son of John first Earl Of Bristol.  He was a man of considerable celebrity in his day; but is now principally known from his unfortunate rivalry with Pope, for the good graces of Lady Mary Wortley Montagu.  He died August 5, 1743, at the age of forty-seven.-D.

(287) The Neutrality for the electorate of Hanover.(

(288) This song is a satire upon George ii., ,the balancing Captain,” and upon that in his vacillating and doubtful conduct, which his fears for the electorate of Hanover made him pursue, whenever Germany was the seat of war.  His Sister, whom he is accused of deserting, was Maria Theresa, Queen of Hungary.-E.

(289) The Prince de Craon, and the princess his wife, who had been favourite mistress to Leopold, the last Duke of Lorrain, resided at this time at Florence, where the prince was head of the council of regency; but they were extremely ill-treited and mortified by the Count de Richcourt, a low Lorrainer, who, being a creature of the great duke’s favourite minister, had the chief ascendant and power there.

186 Letter 40 To Sir Horace Mann.  Downing Street, Nov. 5, 1741, O. S.

I just mentioned to you in my letter on Monday, that I had found such a person as you wanted; I have since seen your brother, who is so satisfied with him, that he was for sending him directly away to you, without staying six weeks for an answer from you, but I chose to have your consent.  He is the son of a tradesman in this city, so not yet a fine gentleman.  He is between fifteen and sixteen, but very tall of his age:  he was disappointed in not going to a merchant at Genoa, as was intended; but was so far provided for it as to have learned Italian three months:  he speaks French very well, writes a good hand, and casts accounts; so, you see there will not be much trouble in forming him to your purpose.  He will go to you for twenty pounds a-year and his lodging.  If you like this, Nvrite me word by the first post, and he shall set out directly.

We hear to-day that the Toulon squadron is airived at Barcelona; I don’t like it of’ all things, for it has a look towards Tuscany.  If it is suffered to go thither quietly, it will be no small addition to the present discontents.

Here is another letter, which I am entreated to send you, from poor Amorevoli; he has a continued fever, though not a high one.  Yesterday, Monticelli was taken ill, so there will be no opera on Saturday; nor was on Tuesday.  MOnticelli is infinitely admired; next to Farinelli.  The Viscontina is admired more than liked.  The music displeases every body, and the dances.  I am quite uneasy about the opera, for Mr. Conway is one of’ the directors, and I fear they will lose considerably, which he cannot afford.  There are eight; Lord