God. you have sense enough to content yourself without being a hero! though I don’t quite forget your expedition a hussar-hunting the beginning of this campaign.  Pray, no more of those jaunts.  I don’t know any body you would oblige with a present of such game — for my part, a fragment of the oldest hussar on earth should never have a place in my museum-they are not antique enough; and for a live one, I must tell you, I like my raccoon infinitely better.

Adieu! my dear Harry.  I long to see you, You will easily believe the thought I have of being particularly well with you is a vast addition to my impatience, though you know it is nothing new to me to be overjoyed at your return.  Yours ever.

390 Letter 149 To Sir Horace Mann.  Houghton, Oct. 6, 1744.

Does decency insist upon one’s writing within certain periods, when one has nothing to say? because, if she does, she is the most formal, ceremonious personage I know.  I shall not enter into a dispute with her, as my Lady Hervey did with the goddess of Indolence, or with the goddess of letter-writing, I forget which, in a long letter that she sent to the Duke of Bourbon; because I had rather write than have a dispute about it.  Besides, I am not at all used to converse with hierglyphic ladies.  But, I do assure you, it is merely to avoid scolding that I set about this letter:  I don’t mean your scolding, for you are all goodness to me; but my own scolding of myself-a correction I stand in great awe of, and which I am sure never to escape as often as I am to blame.  One can scold other people again, or smile and jog one’s foot, and affect not to mind it; but those airs won’t do with oneself; One always comes by the worst in a dispute with one’s own conviction.

Admiral Matthews sent me down hither your great packet:  I am charmed with your prudence, and with the good sense of your orders for the Neapolitan expedition; I won’t say your good nature, which is excessive for I think your tenderness of the little Queen(974) a little outree, especially as their apprehensions might have added great weight to your menaces.  I would threaten like a corsair, though I would conquer with all the good-breeding of a Scipio.  I most devoutly wish you success; you are sure of having me most happy with any honour you acquire.  You have quite soared above all fear of Goldsworthy, and, I think, must appear of consequence to any ministry.  I am much obliged to you for the medal, and like the design:  I shall preserve it as part of your works.

I can’t forgive what you say to me about the coffee-pot:  one would really think that you looked upon me as an old woman that had left a legacy to be kept for her sake, and a curse to attend the parting with it.  My dear child, is it treating me justly to enter into the detail of your reasons? was it even necessary to say, ,I have changed your coffee-pot for some other plate?”

I have nothing to tell you but that I go to town next week, and will then write you all I hear.  Adieu!