It is not being an upright senator to promise one’s vote beforehand, especially in a money matter; but I believe so many excellent patriots have just done the same thing, that I shall venture readily to engage my promise to you, to get you any sum for the defence of Tuscany -why it is to defend you and my own country! my own palace in via di santo spirits,(998) my own Princess `epuis`ee, and all my family!  I shall quite make interest for you:  nay, I would speak to our new ally, and your old acquaintance, Lord Sandwich, to assist in it; but I could have no hope of getting at his ear, for he has put on such a first-rate tie-wig, on his admission to the admiralty board, that nothing without the lungs of a boatswain can ever think to penetrate the thickness of the curls.  I think, however, it does honour to the dignity of ministers:  when he was but a patriot, his wig was not of half its present gravity.  There are no more changes made:  all is quiet yet; but next Thursday the Parliament meets to decide the complexion of the session.  My Lord Chesterfield goes next week to Holland, and then returns for Ireland.

The great present disturbance in politics is my Lady Granville’s assembly; which I do assure you distresses the Pelhams infinitely more than a mysterious meeting of the States would, and far more than the abrupt breaking up of the Diet at Grodno.  She had begun to keep Tuesdays before her lord resigned, which now she continues with greater zeal.  Her house is very fine, she very handsome, her lord very agreeable and extraordinary; and yet the Duke of Newcastle wonders that people will go thither.  He mentioned to my father my going there, who laughed at him; Cato’s a proper person to trust with such a childish jealousy!  Harry Fox says, “Let the Duke of Newcastle open his own house, and see if all that come thither are his friends.”  The fashion now is to send cards to the women, and to declare that all men Are welcome without being asked.  This is a piece of ease that shocks the prudes of the last age.  You can’t imagine how my Lady Granville shines in doing favours; you know she is made for it.  My lord has new furnished his mother’s apartment for her, and has given her a magnificent set of dressing plate:  he is very fond of her, and she as fond of his being so.

You will have heard of Marshal Belleisle’s being made a prisoner at Hanover:  the world will believe it was not by accident.  He is sent for over hither:  the first thought was to confine him to the Tower, but that is contrary to the politesse of modern war:  they talk of sending him to Nottingham, where Tallard was.  I am sure, if he is prisoner at large anywhere, we could not have a worse inmate! so ambitious and intriguing a man, who was author of this whole war, will be no bad general to be ready to head the Jacobites on any insurrection.(999)

I can say nothing more about young Gardiner, but that I don’t think my father at all inclined now to have any letter written for him.  Adieu!