Lord Middlesex’s match is determined, and the writings signed.  She proves an immense fortune; they pretend a hundred and thirty thousand pounds-what a fund for making operas!

My Lady Carteret is going to Tunbridge—­there is a hurry for a son:  his only one is gone mad:  about a fortnight ago he was at the Duke of Bedford’s, and as much in his few senses as ever.  At five o’clock in the morning he waked the duke and duchess all bloody, and with the lappet of his coat held up full of ears:  he had been in the stable and cropped all the horses!  He is shut up.(966) My lady is in the honeymoon of her grandeur:  she lives in public places, whither she is escorted by the old beaux of her husband’s court; fair white-wigged old gallants, the Duke of Bolton,(967) Lord Tweedale, Lord Bathurst, and Charles Fielding;(968) and she all over knots, and small hoods, and ribands.  Her brother told me the other night, “Indeed I think my thister doesth countenanth Ranelagh too mutch.”  They call Lord Pomfret, King Stanislaus, the queen’s father.

I heard an admirable dialogue, which has been written at the army on the battle of Dettingen, but one can’t get a copy; I must tell you two or three strokes in it that I have heard.  Pierot asks Harlequin, “Que donne-t’on aux g`en`eraux qui ne se sont pas trouv`es `a la bataille!” Harl.  “On leur donne le cordon rouge.”  Pier.  “Et que donne-t’on au g`en`eral en Chef(969 qui a gagn`e la victoire!” Harl.  “Son cong`e.”  Pier.  “Qui a soin des bless`es?” Harl.  “L’ennemi.”  Adieu!

(964) This alludes to the King of Prussia’s retreat from Prague, on the approach of the Austrian army commanded by Prince Charles Lorraine.-D.

(965) In speaking of this address of the King of Prussia, Lady Hervey, in a letter of the 17th, says, “I think it very well and very artfully drawn for his purpose, and very impertinently embarrassing to our King.  He is certainly a very artful prince, and I cannot but think his projects and his ambition still more extensive, than people at present imagine them."-E.

(66) On the death of his father this son succeeded to the earldom in 1763.  He died in 1776, when the title became extinct.-E.

(967) Charles Poulett, third Duke of Bolton.

(968) The Hon, Charles Fielding, third son of William, third Earl of Denbigh; a lieutenant-colonel in the guards, and Gentleman-usher to Queen Caroline.  He died in 1765.-E.

(969) Lord Stair.-D.

387 Letter 147
To Sir Horace Mann. 
Houghton, Sept. 1, 1744.

I wish you joy of your victory at Velletri!(970) I call it yours, for you are the great spring of all that war.  I intend to publish your life, with an Appendix, that shall contain all the letters to you from princes, cardinals, and great men of the time.  In speaking of Prince Lobkowitz’s attempt to seize the King of Naples at Velletri, I shall say:  “for the share our hero had in this great action, vide the Appendix, Card.