(897) Between the King of England, the Queen of Hungary, and the King of Sardinia, to whom were afterwards added Holland and Saxony.  It is sometimes called “the triple alliance."-D.

(898) Lord Orford.

(899) “Pitt as usual,” says Mr. Yorke, in his MS. Parliamentary Journal, ,fell foul of Lord Carteret, called him a Hanover troop-minister; that they were his party, his placemen; that he had conquered the cabinet by their means, and after being very lavish of his abuse, wished he was in the House, that he might give him more of it.”  Tu the uncommon accuracy of Mr. Walpole’s reports of the proceedings in Parliament, the above-quoted Journal bears strong evidence.-E.

358 Letter 128 To Sir Horace Mann.  Feb. 9, 1744.

I have scarce time to write, or to know what I write.  I live in the House of Commons.  We sat on Tuesday till ten at night, on a Welsh election; and shall probably stay as long to-day on the same.

I have received all your letters by the couriers and the post:  I am persuaded the Duke of Newcastle is much pleased with your despatch; but I dare not enquire, for fear he should dislike your having written the same to me.

I believe we should have heard more of the Brest squadron, if their appearance off the Land’s End on Friday was se’nnight, steering towards Ireland, had occasioned greater consternation.  It is incredible how little impression it made:  the stocks hardly fell:  though it was then generally believed that the Pretender’s son was on board.  We expected some invasion; but as they were probably disappointed on finding no rising in their favour, it is now believed that they are gone to the Mediterranean.  They narrowly missed taking the Jamaica fleet, which was gone out convoyed by two men-of-war.  The French pursued them, outsailed them, and missed them by their own inexpertness.  Sir John Norris is at Portsmouth, ready to sail with nineteen
                                men-of-war, and is to be
joined by two more from Plymouth.  We
                                hope to hear that Matthews has
beat the Toulon squadron before they can be joined by the Brest.  This is the state of our situation. “le have stopped the embarkation of the six thousand men for Flanders; and I hope the King’s journey thither, The Opposition fight every
                                measure of supply, but very
unsuccessfully.  When this Welsh election is over, they will probably go out of town, and leave the rest of the session at ease.

I think you have nothing to apprehend from the new mine that is preparing against you.  My lord is convinced it is an idle attempt and it will always be in his power to prevent any such thing from taking effect.  I am very unhappy for Mr. Chute’s gout, or for any thing that disturbs the peace of people I love so much, and that I have such vast reason to love.  You know my fears for you:  pray Heaven they end well!