We hear of great news from Bavaria, of that Elector being forced into a neutrality; but it IS not confirmed.

Mr. Legge is made lord of the admiralty, and Mr. Philipson surveyor of the roads in his room.  This is all I know.  I look with anxiety every day into the Gazettes about Tuscany, but hitherto I find all is quiet.  My dear Sir, I tremble for you!

I have been much desired to get you to send five gesse figures; the Venus, the Faun, the Mercury, the Cupid and Psyche, and the little Bacchus; you know the original is modern:  if this is not to be had, then the Ganymede.  My dear child, I am sorry to give you this trouble; order any body to buy them, and to Send them from Leghorn by the first ship. let me have the bill, and bill of lading.  Adieu!

411 Letter 160 To Sir Horace Mann.  Arlington Street, April 29, 1745.

When you wrote your last of the 6th of this month, you was still in hopes about my father.  I wish I had received your letters on his death, for it is most shocking to have all the thoughts opened again upon such a subject!-it is the great disadvantage of a distant correspondence.  There was a report here a fortnight ago of the new countess coming over.  She could not then have heard it.  Can she be so mad?  Why should she suppose all her shame buried in my lord’s grave? or does not she know, has she seen so little of the world, as not to be sensible that she will now return in a worse light than ever?  A few malicious, who would have countenanced her to vex him, would now treat her like the rest of the world.  It is a private family affair; a husband, a mother, and a son, all party against her, all wounded by her conduct, would be too much to get over! \\

My dear child, you have nothing but misfortunes of your friends to lament.  You have new subject by the loss of poor Mr. Chute’s brother.(1034) It really is a great loss! he was a most rising man, and one of the best-natured and most honest that ever lived.  If it would not sound ridiculously, though, I assure you, I am far from feeling it lightly, I would tell you of poor Patapan’s death — he died about ten days ago.

This peace with the Elector of Bavaria may Produce a general one.  You have given great respite to my uneasiness, by telling me that Tuscany seems out of danger.  We have for these last three days been in great expectation of a battle.  The French have invested Tournay; our army came up with them last Wednesday, and is certainly little inferior, and determined to attack them; but it is believed they are retired:  we don’t know who commands them; it is said, the Duc d’Harcourt.  Our good friend, the Count de Saxe, is dying(1036)-by Venus, not by Mars.  The King goes on Friday; this may make the young Duke(1036) more impatient to give battle, to have all the honour his own.

There is no kind of news; the Parliament rises on Thursday, and every body is going out of town.  I shall only make short excursions in visits; you know I am not fond of the country, and have no call into it now!  My brother will not be at Houghton this year; he shuts it Up to enter on new, and there very unknown economy:  he has much occasion for it!  Commend me to poor Mr. Chute!  Adieu!