favoured the Spanish trade, under pre tence of hindering an expedition which was never designed.  It was strongly reported last week that Haddock had shot himself; a satire on his having been neutral, as they call it.  The parliament met the day before yesterday, and there were four hundred and eighty-seven members present.  They did no business, only proceeded to choose a speaker, which was, unanimously, Mr. Onslow, moved for by Mr. Pelham, (316) and seconded by Mr. Clutterbuck.  But the Opposition, to flatter his pretence to popularity and impartiality, call him their own speaker.  They intend to oppose Mr. Earle’s being chairman of the committee, and to set up a Dr. Lee, a civilian.  To- morrow the King makes his speech.  Well, I won’t keep you any longer in suspense.  The Court will have a majority of forty-a vast number for the outset:  a good majority, like a good sum of money, soon makes itself bigger.  The first great point will be the Westminster election; another, Mr. Pultney’s (317) election at Heydon; Mr. Chute’s brother is one of the petitioners.  It will be an ugly affair for the Court, for Pultney has asked votes of the courtiers, and said Sir R. was indifferent about it; but he is warmer than I almost ever saw him, and declared to Churchill, (318) of whom Pultney claims a promise, that he must take Walpole or Pultney.  The Sackville finally were engaged too, by means of George Berkeley, brother to Lady Betty Germain, (319) whose influence with the Dorset I suppose you know; but the King was so hot with his grace about his sons, that I believe they will not venture to follow their inclinations **** to vote (320) for Pultney, though he has expressed great concern about it to Sir R.

So much for politics! for I suppose you know that Prague is taken by storm, in a night’s time.  I forgot to tell you that Commodore Lestock, with twelve ships, has been waiting for a wind this fortnight, to join Haddock. (321)

I write to you in defiance of a violent headache, which I got last night at another of Sir T. Robinson’s balls.  There were six hundred invited, and I believe above two hundred there.  Lord Lincoln, out of prudence, danced with Lady Caroline Fitzroy, and Mr. Conway, with Lady Sophia; the two couple were just mismatched, as every body soon perceived, by the attentions of each man to the woman he did not dance with, and the emulation of either lady:  it was an admirable scene.  The ball broke up at three; but Lincoln, Lord Holderness, Lord Robert Sutton, (322) Young Churchill (323) and a dozen more grew ‘oily,’ stayed till seven in the morning, and drank thirty-two bottles.

I will take great care to send the knee-buckles and pocket-book; I have got them, and Madame Pucci’s silks, and only wait to hear that Tuscany is quiet, and then I will convey them by the first ship.  I would write to them to-night, but have not time now; old Cibber, (324) plays to-night, and all the world will be there.