Your last, which I have been answering, was the. 5th of August; I this minute receive another of the 12th.  How I am charmed with your spirit and usage of Richcourt!  Mais ce n’est pas d’aujourdhui que je commence `a les m`epriser!  I am so glad that you have quitted your calm, to treat them as they deserve.  You don’t tell me if his opposition in the council hindered your intercession from taking place for the valet de chambre.  I hope not!  I could not bear his thwarting you!

I am now going to write to your brother, to get you the overtures; and to desire he will send them with some pamphlets and the magazines which I left in commission for you, at my leaving London.  I am going to send him, too, des pleins pouvoirs, for nominating a person to represent me at his new babe’s christening.

I am sorry Mrs. Goldsworthy is coming to England, though I think it can be of no effect.  Sir Charles (692) has no sort of interest with the new powers, and I don’t think the Richmonds have enough to remove foreign ministers.  However, I will consult with Sir Robert about it, and see if he thinks there is any danger for you, which I do not in the least; and whatever can be done by me, I think you know, will.

P. S. I inclose an answer to Madame Pucci’s letter.  Where is she in all this Modenese desolation

(689) Montemar was the General of the King of Spain, who commanded the troops of that sovereign against the Imperialists in Italy.-D.

(690) A sort of serenade.  Sir H. Mann had mentioned, that he was about to give an entertainment of this kind in his garden to the society of Florence.-D.

(691) Prince Charles of Lorraine, younger brother of Francis, who was now Grand Duke of Tuscany.  He was a general of some abilities; but it was his misfortune to be so often opposed to the superior talents of the King of Prussia.-D.

(692) Sir Charles Wager.

281 Letter 82
To Sir Horace Mann. 
Houghton, August 28, 1742.

I did receive your letter of the 12th, as I think I mentioned in my last; and to-day another of the 19th.  Had I been you, instead of saying that I would have taken my lady’s(693) woman for my spy, I should have said, that I would hire Richcourt himself:  I dare to say that one might buy the count’s own secrets of himself.

I am sorry to hear that the Impressarii have sent for the Chiaretta; I am not one of the managers; I should have remonstrated against her, for she will not do on the same stage with the Barbarina.  I don’t know who will be glad of her coming, but Mr. Blighe and Amorevoli.

’Tis amazing, but we hear not a syllable of Prague taken,(694) it must be!  Indeed, Carthagena, too, was certain of being taken! but it seems, Maillebois is to stop at Bavaria.  I hope Belleisle (695) will be made prisoner?  I am indifferent about the fate of the great Broglio-but Belleisle is able, and is our most determined enemy:  we need not have more, for to-day it is confirmed that Cardinal Tencin (696) and M. d’Argenson are declared of the prime ministry.  The first moment they can, Tencin will be for transporting the Pretenders into England.  Your advice about Naples was quite judicious:  the appearance of a bomb will have great weight in the councils of the little king.