a great body of the Prussians in Moravia.  We are going to extend a helping hand to her at last.  Lord Stair (510) has accepted what my Lord Argyll resigned, and sets out ambassador to Holland in two days; and afterwards will have the command of’ the troops that are to be sent into Flanders.  I am sorry I must send away this to-night, without being able to tell you the event of to-morrow; but I will let you know it on Thursday, if I write but two lines.  You have no notion how I laughed at Mrs. Goldsworthy’s “talking from hand to mouth."(511) How happy I am that you have Mr. Chute still with you; you would have been distracted else with that simple woman; for fools prey upon one when one has no companion to laugh Them off.

I shall say every thing that is proper for you to the earl, and shall take care about expressing you to him, as I know you have your gratitude far more at heart, than what I am thinking of for you, I mean your stay at Florence.  I have spoken very warmly to Lord Lincoln about you, who, I am sure, will serve you to his power.  Indeed, as all changes are at a stop, I am convinced there will be no thought of removing you.  However, till I see the situation of next winter, I cannot be easy on your account.

I have made a few purchases at Lord Oxford’s sale; a small Vandyke, in imitation of Teniers; an old picture of the Duchess of Suffolk, mother of Lady Jane Grey, and her young husband; a sweet bronze vase by Flamingo, and two or three other trifles.  The things sold dear; the antiquities and pictures for about five thousand pounds, which yet, no doubt, cost him much more, for he gave the most extravagant prices.  His coins and medals are now selling, and go still dearer.  Good night!  How I wish for every letter to hear how you mend!

(509) Charles vii. the Emperor of the Bavarian family.-D.

(510) John Dalrymple, second Earl of Stair, a man much distinguished both as a general and a diplomatist. [He served with credit at Dettingen; but, after that battle, resigned his military rank, indignant at the King’s unjust partiality to the Hanoverians.  However, on the rebellion of 1745, he was made commander-in-chief, and materially assisted the Duke of Cumberland in the campaign which ended at Culloden.  He died in 1747.]

(511) An expression of Mr. Chute.

238 Letter 59
To sir Horace Mann. 
March 24, 1742.

I promised you in my last letter to send you the event of yesterday.(512) It was not such as you would wish, for on the division, at nine o’clock at night, we lost it by 242 against 245.  We had three people shut out, so that a majority of three (513) is so small that it is scarce doubted, but that, on Friday, when we ballot for the twenty-one to form the committee, we shall carry a list composed of our people, so that then it will be better that we lost it yesterday, as they never can trouble my Lord Orford more, when the Secret Committee consists of his own friends.