The embarkation at Dunkirk does not seem to go on, though, to be sure, not laid aside.  We received yesterday the particulars of the Mediterranean engagement from Matthews.  We conclude the French squadron retired designedly, to come up to Brest, where we every day expect to hear of them.  If Matthews does not follow them, adieu our triumphs in the Channel-and then!  Sir John Norris has desired leave to come back, as little satisfied with the world as the world is with him.  He is certainly very unfortunate;(912) but I can’t say I think he has tried to correct his fortune.  If England is ever more to be England, this sure is the crisis to exert all her vigour.  We have all the disadvantage of Queen Elizabeth’s prospect, without one of her ministers.  Four thousand Dutch are landed, and we hope to get eight or twelve ships from them.  Can we now say, Quatuor maria vindico?"(913)

I will not talk any more politically, but turn to hymeneals, with as much indifference as if I were a first minister.  Who do you think is going to marry Lady Sophia Fermor?(914)-only Lord Carteret!-this very week!-a drawing-room conquest.  Do but imagine how many passions will be gratified in that family! her own ambition, vanity, and resentment-love she never had any; the politics, management, and pedantry of the mother, who will think to govern her son-in-law out of Froissart.(915) Figure the instructions she will give her daughter!  Lincoln is quite indifferent, and laughs.  My Lord Chesterfield says, “It is only another of Carteret’s vigorous measures.”  I am really glad of it; for her beauty and cleverness did deserve a better fate, than she was on the point of having determined for her for ever,.  How graceful, how charming, and how haughtily condescending she will be! how, if Lincoln should ever hint past history, she will

“Stare upon the strange man’s face,
As one she ne’er had known!"(916)

I wonder I forgot to tell you that Doddington had owned a match of seventeen years’ standing with Mrs. Behan, to whom the one you mention is sister.

I have this moment received yours of March 10th, and thank you much for the silver medal, which has already taken its place in my museum.

I feel almost out of pain for your situation, as by the motion of the fleets this way, I should think the expedition to Italy abandoned.  We and you have had great escapes, but we have still occasion for all Providence!

I am very sorry for the young Sposa Panciatici, and wish all the other parents joy of the increase of their families.  Mr. Whithed is en bon train; but the recruits he is raising will scarce thrive fast enough to be of service this war.  My best loves to him and Mr. Chute.  I except you three out of my want of public spirit.  The other day, when the Jacobites and patriots were carrying every thing to ruin, and had made me warmer than I love to be, one of them said to me, “Why don’t you love your country?” I replied, “I should love my country exceedingly,’If it were not for my countrymen.”  Adieu!