A few days ago there were lists of the officers at Port Mahon laid before the House of Lords -. unfortunately, it appeared that two-thirds of the regiment had been absent.  The Duke of Argyll said, “Such a list was a libel on the government;” and of all men, the Duke of Newcastle was the man who rose up and agreed with him:  remember what I have told you once before of his union with Carteret.  We have
                  carried the York election by a majority of 956.

The other night the Bishop of Canterbury(432) was with Sir

’Robert, and on going away, said, “Sir, I have been lately reading Thaunus; he mentions a minister, who having long been persecuted by his enemies, at length vanquished them:  the reason he gives, quia se non
                  deseruit.”

Sir Thomas Robinson is at last named to the government of Barbadoes; he has long prevented its being asked for, by declaring that he had the promise of it.  Luckily for him, Lord Lincoln liked his house, and procured him this government on condition of hiring it.

I have mentioned Lord Perceval’s speeches; he has a set who have a rostrum at his house, and harangue there.  A gentleman who came thither one evening was refused, but insisting that he was engaged to come, “Oh, Sir,” said the porter, “what, are you one of those who play at members of Parliament?”

I must tell you something, though Mr. Chute will see my letter.  Sir Robert brought home yesterday to dinner, a fat comely gentleman, who came up to me, and said he believed I knew his brother abroad.  I asked his name; he replied, He is with Mr. Whithed.”  I thought he said, It is Whithed.”  After I had talked to him of Mr. Whithed, I said, There is a very sensible man with Mr. Whithed,
one Mr. Chute.”  “Sir,” said he, “my name is
Chute.”  “My dear
Mr. Chute, now I know both your brothers.  You
will forgive my mistake.”

With what little conscience I begin a third sheet! but it shall be but half a one.  I have received your vast packet of music by the messenger, for which I thank you a thousand times; and the political
sonnet, which is far from bad.  Who
translated it?  I like the translation.

I am obliged to you about the gladiator, etc.:  the temptation of having them at all is great, but too enormous.  If I could have the gladiator for about an hundred pounds, I would give it.

I enclose one of the bills of lading of the things that I sent you by your secretary:  he sets out tomorrow.  By Oswald’s (433) folly, to whom I entrusted the putting them on board, they are consigned to Goldsworthy, (434) but pray take care that he does not open them.  The captain mortifies me by proposing to stay three weeks at Genoa.  I have sent away to-night a small additional box of steel wares, which I received but to-day from Woodstock.  As they are better than the first, you will choose out some of them for Prince Craon, and give away the rest as you please.