in which Mrs. Clive (592) mimes the Muscovita admirably, and Beard, Amorevoli tolerably.  But all the run is now after Garrick, a wine-merchant, who is turned player, at Goodman’s-fields.  He plays all parts, and is a very good mimic.  His acting I have seen, and may say to you, who will not tell it again here, I see nothing wonderful in it.(593) but it is heresy to say so:  the Duke of Argyll says, he is superior to Betterton.  Now I talk of players, tell Mr. Chute that his friend Bracegirdle breakfasted with me this morning.  As she went out, and wanted her clogs, she turned to me, and said, “I remember at the playhouse, they used to call Mrs. Oldfield’s chair!  Mrs. Barry’s clogs! and Mrs. Bracegirdle’s pattens!”

I did, indeed, design the letter of this post for Mr. Chute; but I have received two such charming long ones from you of the 15th and 20th of May (N.  S.), that I must answer them, and beg him to excuse me till another post; so must the Prince,(594) Princess, the Grifona, and Countess Galli.  For the Princess’s letter, I am not sure I shall answer it so soon, for hitherto I have not been able to read above every third word; however, you may thank her as much as if I understood it all.  I am very happy that mes bagatelles (for I still insist they were so) pleased.  You, my dear child, are very good to be pleased with the snuff-box..  I am much obliged to the superior lumi`eres of old Sarasin (595) about the Indian ink:  if’ she meant the black, I am sorry to say I had it into the bargain with the rest of the Japan:  for the coloured, it is only a curiosity, because it has seldom been brought over.  I remember Sir Hans Sloane was the first who ever had any of it, and would on no account give my mother the least morsel of it. since that, She afterwards got a good deal of it from China; and more has come over; but it is even less valuable than the other, for we never could tell how to use it; however, let it make its figure.

I am sure you blame me all this time, for chatting about so many trifles, and telling you no politics.  I own to you, I am so wearied, so worn with them, that I scarce know how to turn my hand to them; but you shall know all I know.  I told you of the meeting at the Fountain tavern:  Pultney had promised to be there, but was-not; nor Carteret.  As the Lords had put off the debate on the Indemnity Bill, nothing material passed; but the meeting was very Jacobite.  Yesterday the bill came on, and Lord Carteret took the lead against it, and about seven in the evening it was flung out by almost two to one, 92 to 47, and 17 proxies to 10.  To-day we had a motion by the new Lord Hillsborough,(596) (for the father is Just dead,) and seconded by Lord Barrington,(597) to examine the Lords’ votes, to see what has become of the bill:  this is the form.  The chancellor of the exchequer, and all the new ministry, were with us against it; but they carried it, 164 to 159.  It is to be reported to-morrow, and