Prince Charles has called a Parliament in Scotland for the 7th of October; ours does not meet till the 17th, so that even in the show of liberty and laws, they are beforehand with us.  With all this, we hear of no men of quality or fortune having joined him but Lord Elcho(1117) whom you have seen at Florence; and the Duke of Perth,(1118) a silly race-horsing boy, who is said to be killed in this battle. but I gather no confidence from hence:  my father always said, “If you see them come again, they will begin by their lowest people; their chiefs will not appear till the end.”  His prophecies verify every day!

The town is still empty; in this point only the English act contrary to their custom, for they don’t throng to see a Parliament, though it is likely to prove a curiosity!

I have so trained myself to expect this ruin, that I see it approach without an emotion.  I shall suffer with fools, without having any malice to our enemies, who act sensibly from principle and from interest.  Ruling parties seldom have caution or common sense.  I don’t doubt but Whigs and Protestants will be alert enough in trying to recover what they lose so supinely.

I know nothing of my Lady O. In this situation I dare say she will exert enough of the spirit of her Austrian party, to be glad the present government is oppressed; her piques and the Queen of Hungary’s bigotry will draw satisfaction from what ought to be so contrary to each of their wishes.  I don’t wonder my lady hates you so much, as I think she meant to express by her speech to Blair.  Quem non credit Cleopatra nocentem, A quo casta fuit?”

She lives chiefly with my Lady Townshend:  the latter told me last night, that she had seen a new fat player, who looked like every body’s husband.  I replied, “I could easily believe that, from seeing so many women who looked like every body’s wives.”  Adieu! my dear Sir:  I hope your spirits, like mine, will grow calm, from being callous of ill news.

(1114) At Preston-Pans, near Edinburgh; where the Pretender completely defeated Sir John Cope, on the 21st of September.-D.

(1115) “Charles,” says Lord Mahon, ’put himself at the head of the second line, which was close behind the first, and addressed them in these words@ Follow me, gentlemen, and by the blessing of God, I will this day make you a free and happy people.”  Hist.  Vol. iii.  P. 392.-E.

(1116) General Cope was tried afterwards for his behaviour in this action, and it appeared very clearly, that the ministry, his inferior officers, and his troops, were greatly to blame; and that he did all he could, so ill-directed, so ill-supplied, and so ill-obeyed.

(1117) Eldest son of the Earl of Wemyss.

(1118) James Drummond, who would have been the fifth Earl of Perth, had it not been for the attainder and outlawry under which his family laboured.  His grandfather, the fourth earl, had been created a duke by James II. after his abdication.  He was not killed at Preston-Pans.-D.