443 Letter 182 To Sir Horace Mann.  Arlington Street, Oct. 4, 1745.

I am still writing to you as “R`esident de sa Majest`e Britannique;” and without the apprehension of your suddenly receiving letters of recall, or orders to notify to the council of Florence the new accession.  I dare say your fears made you think that the young Prince (for he is at least Prince of Scotland) had vaulted from Cope’s neck into St. James’s House; but he is still at Edinburgh; and his cousin Grafton, the lord chamberlain has not even given orders for fitting up this palace for his reception.  The good people of England have at last rubbed their eyes and looked about them.  A wonderful spirit is arisen in all counties, and among all sorts of people.  The nobility are raising regiments, and every body else is-being raised.  Dr. Herring,(1119) the Archbishop of York, has set an example that would rouse the most indifferent; in two days after the news arrived at York of Cope’s defeat, and when they every moment expected the victorious rebels at their gates, the bishop made a speech to the assembled county, that had as much true spirit, honesty, and bravery in it, as ever was penned by an historian for an ancient hero.

The rebels returned to Edinburgh, where they have no hopes of taking the Castle, for old Preston, the deputy-governor, and General Guest, have obliged them to supply the Castle constantly with fresh provisions, on pain of having the town fired with red-hot bullets.  They did fling a bomb on Holyrood House, and obliged the Boy to shift his quarters.  Wade is marching against them, and will have a great army:  all the rest of our troops are ordered from Flanders, and are to meet him in Yorkshire, with some Hessians too.  That county raises four thousand men, besides a body of foxhunters, whom Oglethorpe has converted into hussars.  I am told that old Stair, who certainly does not want zeal, but may not want envy neither, has practised a little Scotch art to prevent wade from having an army, and consequently the glory of saving this country.  This I don’t doubt he will do, if the rebels get no foreign aid; and I have great reason to hope they will not, for the French are privately making us overtures of peace.  My dear child, dry your wet-brown-paperness, and be in spirits again!

It is not a very civil joy to send to Florence, but I can’t help telling you how glad I am of news that came two days ago, of the King of Prussia having beat Prince Charles,(1120) who attacked him just after we could have obtained for them a peace with that King.  That odious house of Austria!  It will not be decent for you to insult Richcourt but I would, were I at Florence.