has not a better chance than I, for being liked.  I can assure you, even those of the same party would be fools, not to pretend to think me one.  Sir Robert has showed no partiality for me;(392) and do you think they would commend where he does not? even supposing they had no envy, which by the way, I am far from saying they have not.  Then. my dear child, I am the coolest man of my party, and if I am ever warm, it is by contagion; and where violence passes for parts, what will indifference be called?  But how could you think of such a question ’!  I don’t want money, consequently Do old women pay me for my wit; I have a very flimsy constitution, consequently the young women won’t taste my wit, and it is a long while before wit makes its own way in the world; especially, as I never prove it, by assuring people that I have it by me.  Indeed, if I were disposed to brag, I could quote two or three half-pay officers, and an old aunt or two, who laugh prodigiously at every thing I say; but till they are allowed judges, I will not brag of such authorities.

If you have a mind to know who is adored and has wit, there is old Churchill has as much God-d-n-ye wit as ever-except that he has lost two teeth.  There are half a dozen Scotchmen who vote against the Court, and are cried up by the Opposition for wit, to keep them steady.  They are forced to cry up their parts, for it would be too barefaced to commend their honesty.  Then Mr. Nugent has had a great deal of wit till within this week; but he is so busy and so witty, that even his own party grow tired of him.  His plump wife, who talks of nothing else, says he entertained her all the way on the road with repeating his speeches.

I did not go into the country, last week, as I intended, the weather was so bad; but I shall go on Sunday for three or four days, and perhaps shall not be able to write to you that week.  You are in an agitation, I suppose, about politics:  both sides are trafficking deeply for votes during the holidays.  It is allowed, I think, that we shall have a majority of twenty-six:  Sir R. says more; but now, upon a pinch, he brags like any bridegroom.

The Westminster election passed without any disturbance, in favour of Lord Perceive-all (394) and Mr. Perceive-nothing, as my uncle calls them.  Lord Chesterfield was vaunting to Lord Lovel, that they should have carried it, if they had set up two broomsticks.  “So I see,” replied Lovel.  But it seems we have not done with it yet:  if we get the majority, this will be declared a void election too, for my Lord Chancellor (395) has found out, that the person who made the return, had no right to make it:  it was the High Bailiff’s clerk, the High Bailiff himself being in custody of the sergeant-at-arms. it makes a great noise, and they talk of making subscriptions for a Petition.

Lord Stafford (396) is come over.  He told me some good stories of the Primate.(397)