I am quite happy at your thinking Tuscany so secure from Spain, unless the wise head of Richcourt works against the season; but how can I ever be easy while a provincial Frenchman, Something half French, half German, instigated by a mad Englishwoman is to govern an Italian dominion?

I laughed much at the magnificent presents made by one of the first families in Florence to their young accouch`ee.  Do but think if a Duke or Duchess of Somerset were to give a Lady Hertford fifty pounds and twenty yards of velvet for bringing an heir to the blood of Seymour!

It grieves me that my letters drop in so slowly to you:  I have never missed writing, but when I have been absolutely too much out of order, or once or twice when I had no earthly thing to tell you.  This winter is so quiet, that one must inquire much to know any thing.  The parliament is met again, but we do not hear of any intended opposition to any thing. the tories have dropped the affair of the Hanoverians in the House of Lords, in compliment to Lord Gower. there is a second pamphlet on that subject which makes a great noise.(755) The ministry are much distressed on the ways and means for raising the money for this year:  there is to be a lottery, but that will not supply a quarter of what they want.  They have talked of a new duty on tea, to be paid by every housekeeper for all the persons in their families; but it will scarce be proposed.  Tea is so universal, that it would make a greater clamour than a duty on wine.  Nothing is determined; the new folks do not shine at expedients.  Sir Robert’s health is now drunk at all the clubs in the city; there they are for having him made a duke, and placed again at the head of the Treasury; but I believe nothing could prevail on him to return thither.  He says he will keep the 12th of February,.-the day he resigned, with his family as long as he lives.  They talk of Sandys being raised to the peerage, by way of getting rid of him; he is so dull they can scarce draw him on.(756)

The English troops in Flanders march to-day, whither we don’t know, but “probably to Liege:  from whence they imagine the Hanoverians are going into Juliers and Bergue.(757) The ministry have been greatly alarmed with the King of Sardinia’s retreat, and suspected that it was a total one from the Queen’s interest; but it seems he sent for Villettes and the Hungarian minister, and had their previous approbations of his deserting Chamberry, etc.

Vernon is not yet got to town, we are impatient for what will follow the arrival of this mad hero.  Wentworth will certainly challenge him, but Vernon does not profess personal valour:  he was once knocked down by a merchant, who then offered him satisfaction-but he was satisfied.

Lord Essex’ is dead:(758) Lord Lincoln will have the bedchamber; Lord Berkeley of Stratton(759) (a disciple of Carteret’s) the Pensioners; and Lord Carteret himself probably the riband.