The French still go on with their preparations at Dunkirk and their sea-ports; but I think, few people believe now that they will be exerted against us:  we have a numerous fleet in the Channel, and a large army on the shores opposite to France.  The Dutch fear that all this storm is to burst on them.  Since the Queen’s making peace with Prussia, the Dutch are applying to him for protection; and I am told, wake from their neutral lethargy.

We are in a good quiet state here in town; the Parliament is reposing itself for the holidays; the ministry is in private agitation; the Cobham part of the coalition is going to be disbanded; Pitt’s wild ambition cannot content itself with what he had asked, and had granted:  and he has driven Lyttelton and the Grenvilles to adopt all his extravagances.  But then, they are at ’variance again within themselves:  Lyttelton’s wife(1157) hates Pitt, and does not approve his governing her husband and hurting their family; so that, at present, it seems, he does not care to be a martyr to Pitt’s caprices, which are in excellent training; for he is governed by her mad Grace of Queensberry.  All this makes foul weather; but, to me, it is only a cloudy landscape.

The Prince has dismissed Hume Campbell(1158) who was his solicitor, for attacking Lord Tweedale(1159) on the Scotch affairs:  the latter has resigned the seals of secretary of state for Scotland to-day.  I conclude, when the holidays are over, and the rebellion travelled so far back, we shall have warm inquiries in Parliament.  This is a short letter, I perceive; but I know nothing more; and the Carlisle part of it will make you wear, your beaver more erect than I believe you have of late.  Adieu!

(1155) The Duke of Cumberland entered Carlisle on the 31 st of December; but his pursuit of the Highlanders in person was interrupted by despatches, which called him to London, to be ready to take command against the projected invasion from France.-E.

(1156) “Hawley,” says Lord Mahon, “was an officer of some experience, but destitute of capacity, and hated, not merely by his enemies, but by his own soldiers, for a most violent and vindictive temper.  One of his first measures, on arriving at Edinburgh, to take the chief command, was to order two gibbets to be erected, ready for the rebels who might fall into his hands; and, with a similar view, he bid several executioners attend his army on his march.”  Vol. ii. p. 357.

(1157) Lucy Fortescue, sister of Lord Clinton, first wife of Sir George, afterwards Lord Lyttelton. [She died in January 1747, at the age of twenty-nine.

(1158) twin-brother to the Earl of Marchmont; who, in his Diary .of the 2d of January, says, “My brother told me he had been, last night, with Mr. Drax, the Prince’s secretary, when he had notified to him that the Prince expected all his family to go together to support the measures of the administration, and that, as Mr. Hume did not act so, he was to write him a letter, discharging him, In the conversation, Mr. Drax said, that the Prince was to support the Pelhams, and that his dismission was to be ascribed to Lord Granville.  My brother said, that he had nothing to say to the Prince, other than that he would support all the measures he thought conducive to the King’s interests, but no others."-E.