As I came home last night, they told me there was a fire in Downing Street; when I came to Whitehall, I could not get to the end of the street in my chariot, for the crowd; when I got out, the first thing I heard was a man enjoying himself:  “Well! if it lasts two hours longer, Sir Robert Walpole’s house will be burnt to the ground!” it was a very comfortable hearing! but I found the fire was on the opposite side of the way, and at a good distance.  I stood in the crowd an hour to hear their discourse:  one man was relating at how many fires he had happened to be present, and did not think himself at all unlucky in passing by, just at this.  What diverted me most, was a servant-maid, who was working, and carrying pails of water, with the strength of half-a-dozen troopers, and swearing the mob out of her way-the soft creature’s name was Phillis!  When I arrived at our door, I found the house full of goods, beds, women, and children, and three Scotch members of parliament, who lodge in the row, and who had sent in a saddle, a flitch of bacon, and a bottle of ink.  There was no wind, and the house was saved, with the loss of only its garret, and the furniture.

I forgot to mention the Dominichin last post, as I suppose I had before, for I always was for buying it; it is one of the most engaging pictures I ever saw.  I have no qualms about its originality; and even if Sir Robert should not like it when it comes, which is impossible, I think I would live upon a flitch of bacon and a bottle of ink, rather than not spare the money to buy it myself:  so my dear Sir, buy it.

Your brother has this moment brought me a letter:  I find by it, that you are very old style with relation to the Prussian peace.  Why, we have sent Robinson (666) and Lord Hyndford (667) a green ribbon, for it, above a fortnight ago.  Muley, (as Lord Lovel calls him,) Duke of Bedford, (668) is, they say, to have a blue one, for making his own peace:  you know we always mind home-peaces more than foreign ones.

I am quite sorry for all the trouble you have had about the Maltese cats; but you know they were for Lord Islay, not for myself.  Adieu!  I have no more time.

(657) Sir Robert Brown had been a merchant at Venice, and British resident there, for which he was created a baronet in 1732.  He held the place at this time of” “paymaster of his Majesty’s works, concerning the repairs, new buildings, and well-keeping of any of his Majesty’s houses of access, and others, in time of progress."-D

(658) John Hay, fourth Marquis of Tweedale.  In 1748, he married Frances, daughter of John Earl Granville, and died in 1762.-E.

(659) The Hon. Edward Finch, fifth son of Daniel, sixth Earl of Winchilsea and second Earl of Nottingham, and the direct ancestor of the present Lord Winchilsea.  He assumed the name of Hatton, in 1764, in consequence of inheriting the fortune of William Viscount Hatton, his mother’s brother.  He was employed in diplomacy, and was made master of the robes in 1757.  He died in 1771.-D.