You say, you expect much information about Belleisle, but there has not (in the style of the newspapers) the least particular transpired.  He was at first kept magnificently close at Windsor; but the expense proving above one hundred pounds per day, they have taken his parole, and sent him to Nottingham, `a la Tallarde.  Pray, is De Sade with you still’? his brother has been taken too by the Austrians.

My Lord Coke is going to be married to a Miss Shawe,(1014) of forty thousand pounds.  Lord Hartington(1015) is contracted to Lady Charlotte Boyle, the heiress of Burlington, and sister of the unhappy Lady Euston; but she is not yet old enough.  Earl Stanhope,(1016) too, has at last lifted up his eyes from Euclid, and directed them to matrimony.  He has chosen the eldest sister of your acquaintance Lord Haddington.  I revive about you and Tuscany.  I will tell you. what is thought to have reprieved you:  it is much suspected that the King of Spain(1017) is dead.  I hope those superstitious people will pinch the queen, as they do witches, to make her loosen the charm that has kept the Prince of Asturias from having children.  At least this must turn out better than the death of the Emperor has.

The Duke,(1018) you hear, is named generalissimo, with Count Koningseg, Lord Dunmore,(1019) and Ligonier,(1020) under him.  Poor boy! he is most Brunswickly happy with his drums and trumpets.  Do but think that this sugar-plum was to tempt him to swallow that bolus the Princess of Denmark!(1021) What will they do if they have children?  The late Queen never forgave the Duke of Richmond, for telling her that his children would take place before the Duke’s grandchildren.

I inclose you a pattern for a chair, which your brother desired me to send you.  I thank you extremely for the views of Florence; you can’t imagine what wishes they have awakened.  My best thanks to Dr. Cocci for his book:  I have delivered all the copies as directed.  Mr. Chute will excuse me yet; the first moment I have time I will write.  I have:  just received your letter of Feb. 16, and grieve for your disorder:  you know, how much concern your ill health gives m.  Adieu! my dear child:  I write with twenty people in the room.

(1014) This marriage did not take place.  Lord Coke afterwards married Lady Campbell; and Miss Shawe, William, fifth Lord Byron, the immediate predecessor of the great poet.-E.

(1015) In 1755 he succeeded his father as fourth Duke of Devonshire.  He died at Spa, in 1764; having filled at different times, the offices of lord lieutenant of Ireland, first lord of the treasury, and lord chamberlain of the household.  His marriage with Lady Charlotte Boyle took place in March 1748.-E.

(1016) Philip, second Earl Stanhope.  See ant`e, p. 308.  Letter 96.  He married, in July following, Lady Grizel Hamilton, daughter of Charles Lord Binning.-E.

(1017) The imbecile and insane Philip V. He did not die till 1746.  The Prince of Asturias was Ferdinand VI., who succeeded him, and died childless in 1759.-D.