In the lobby, Horace said, “We shall be-observed, we had better put it off till to-morrow.”  “No, no, now! now!” When they came to the bottom of the stairs, Horace said, “I am out of breath, let us draw here.”  They drew; Chetwynd hit him on the breast, but was not near enough to pierce his coat.  Horace made a pass which the other put by with his hand, but It glanced along his side-a clerk, who had observed them go out together so arm-in-arm-ly, could not believe it amicable, but followed them, and came up just time enough to beat down their swords, as Horace had driven him against a post, and would probably have run him through at the next thrust.  Chetwynd went away to a surgeon’s, and kept his bed the next day; he has not reappeared yet, but is in no danger.  My uncle returned to the House, and was so little moved as to speak immediately upon the Cambrick bill, which made Swinny say, “That it was a sign he was not ruffled."(787) Don’t you delight in this duel?  I expect to see it daubed up by some circuit-painter on the ceiling of the saloon at Woolterton.

I have no news to tell you, but that we hear King Theodore has sent over proposals of his person and crown to Lady Lucy Stanhope,(788) with whom he fell in love the last time he was in England.

Princess Buckingham(789) is dead or dying:  she has sent for Mr. Anstis, and settled the ceremonial of her burial.  On Saturday she was so ill that she feared dying before all the pomp was come home:  she said, “Why won’t they send the canopy for me to see? let them send it, though all the tassels are not finished.”  But yesterday was the greatest stroke of all!  She made her ladies vow to her, that if she should lie senseless, they would not sit down in the room before she was dead.  She has a great mind to be buried by her father at Paris.  Mrs. Selwyn says, “She need not be carried out of England, and yet be buried by her father.”  You know that Lady Dorchester always told her, that old Graham(790) was her father.

I am much obliged to you for the trouble you have taken about the statue; do draw upon me for it immediately, and for all my other debts to you:  I am sure they must be numerous; pray don’t fail.

A thousand loves to the Chutes:  a thousand compliments to the Princess; and a thousand-what? to the Grifona.  Alas! what can one do?  I have forgot all my Italian.  Adieu!

(784) The Electress Palatine Dowager.

(785) She left a legacy to the Pretender, describing him only by these words, To Him at Rome.

(786) William Chetwynd, brother of the Lord Viscount Chetwynd.  On the coalition he was made Master of the Mint.

(787) Coxe, in his Memoirs of Lord Walpole, gives the following account of this duel:  “A motion being made in the House of Commons, which Mr. Walpole supported, he said to Mr. Chetwynd, ‘I hope we shall carry this question.’  Mr. Chetwynd replied, ‘I hope to see you hanged first!’ ’You see me hanged first!’ rejoined Mr. Walpole and instantly seized him by the nose.  They went out and fought.  The account being conveyed to Lord Orford, he sent his son to make inquiries; who, on coming into the House of Commons, found his uncle speaking with the same composure as if nothing had happened to ruffle his tamper or endanger his life.  Mr. Chetwynd was wounded.” vol. ii. p. 68.-E.