The town flocks to a new play of Thomson’s, called Tancred and Sigismunda:  it is very dull, I have read it.(1030) I cannot bear modern poetry; these refiners of the purity of the stage, and of the incorrectness of English verse, are most -,,,wofully insipid.  I had rather have written the most absurd lines in Lee, than Leonidas or the Seasons; as I had rather be put into the round-house for a wrong-headed quarrel, than sup quietly at eight o’clock with my grandmother.  There is another of these tame geniuses, a Mr. Akenside,(1031) who writes Odes:  in one he has lately published, he says, “Light the tapers, urge the fire.”  Had not you rather make gods jostle ’in the dark, than light the candles for fear they should break their heads?  One Russel, a mimic, has a puppet-show to ridicule operas; I hear, very dull, not to mention its being twenty years too late:  it consists of three acts, with foolish Italian songs burlesqued in Italian.

There is a very good quarrel on foot between two duchesses; she of Queensberry sent to invite Lady Emily Lennox(1032) to a ball:  her Grace of Richmond, who is wonderfully cautious since Lady Caroline’s elopement, sent word, “she could not determine.”  The other sent again the same night:  the same answer.  The Queensberry then sent word, that she had made up her company, and desired to be excused from having Lady Emily’s; but at the bottom of the card wrote, “Too great a trust.”  You know how mad she is, and how capable of such a stroke.  There is no declaration of war come out from the other duchess; but, I believe it will be made a national quarrel of the whole illegitimate royal family.

It is the present fashion to make conundrums:  there are books of them printed, and produced at all assemblies:  they are full silly enough to be made a fashion.  I will tell you the most renowned—­“Why is my uncle Horace like two people conversing?-Because he is both teller and auditor.”  This was Winnington’s.

Well, I had almost forgot to tell you a most extraordinary impertinence of your Florentine Marquis Riccardi.  About three weeks ago, I received a letter by Monsieur Wastier’s footman from the marquis.  He tells me most cavalierly, that he has sent me seventy-seven antique gems to sell for him, by the way of Paris, not caring it should be known in Florence.  He will have them sold altogether, and the lowest price two thousand pistoles.  You know what no-acquaintance I had with him.  I shall be as frank as he, and not receive them.  If I did, they might be lost in sending back, and then I must pay his two thousand doppie di Spagna.  The refusing to receive them is Positively all the notice I shall take of it.

I enclose what I think a fine piece on my father:(1033) it was written by Mr. Ashton, whom you have often heard me mention as a particular friend.  You see how I try to make out a long letter, in return for your kind one, which yet gave me great pain by telling me of your fever.  My dearest Sir, it is terrible to have illness added to your other distresses! .