Our foreign news are as bad as our domestic:  there seem little hopes of the Dutch coming into our measures; there are even letters, that mention strongly their resolution of not stirring-so we have Quixoted away sixteen thousand men!  On Saturday we had accounts of the Austrians having cut off two thousand Prussians, in a retreat; but on Sunday came news of the great victory,(584) which the latter have gained, killing six, and taking two thousand Austrians prisoners, and that Prince Charles is retired to Vienna wounded.  This will but too much confirm the Dutch in their apprehensions of Prussia.  As to the long letter you wrote me, in answer to a very particular one of mine, I cannot explain myself, till I find a safer conveyance than the post, by which, I perceive all our letters are opened.  I can only tell you, that in most things you guessed right; and that as to myself (585) all is quiet.  I am in great concern, for you seem not satisfied with the boy we sent you.  Your brother entirely agreed with me that he was what you seem to describe; and as to his being on the foot of a servant, I give you my honour I repeated it over and over to his mother.  I suppose her folly was afraid of shocking him.  As to Italian, she assured me he had been learning it some time.  If he does not answer your purpose, let me know if you can dispose of him any other way, and I will try to accommodate you better.  Your brother has this moment been here, but there was no letter for me; at least, none that they will deliver yet.

I know not in the least how to advise Mr. Jackson.(586) I do not think Mr. Pelham the proper person to apply to; for the Duke of Newcastle is as jealous of him as of any body.(587) Don’t say this to him.  For Lord Hervey, though Mr. Jackson has interest there, I would not advise him to try it, for both hate him.  The application to the Duke of Newcastle by the Most direct means, I should think the best, or by any one that can be serviceable to the government.

You will laugh at an odd accident that happened the other day to my uncle:(588) they put him into the papers for Earl of Sheffield.  There have been little disputes between the two Houses about coming into each other’s House; when a lord comes into the Commons, they call out, withdraw:  that day, the moment my uncle came in, they all roared out, Withdraw! withdraw!

The great Mr. Nugent has been unfortunate, too, in parliament; besides being very ill heard, from being a very indifferent speaker, the other day on the Place Bill, (which, by the way, we have new modelled and softened, and to which the Lords have submitted to agree to humour Pultney,) he rose, and said, “He would not vote, as he was not determined in his opinion; but he would offer his sentiments; which were, particularly, that the bishops had been the cause of this bill being thrown out before.”  Winnington called him to order, desiring he would be tender of the Church of England.  You know he was a papist.  In answer to the beginning of his speech, Velters Cornwall, who is of the same side, said, “He wondered that when that gentleman could not convince himself by his eloquence, he should expect to convince the majority.”