battle between the Duke and the rebels must be fought, and nothing was talked of but the expectation of the courier.  He did arrive indeed on Wednesday morning, but with no battle; for the moment the rebel army saw the Duke’s, they turned back with the utmost precipitation; spiked their cannon, blew up their magazine, and left behind them their wounded and our prisoners.  They crossed the Forth, and in one day fled four-and-thirty miles to Perth, where, as they have strong intrenchments, some imagine they will wait to fight; but their desertion is too great; the whole clan of the macdonalds, one of their best has retired on the accidental death of their chief.  In short, it looks exceedingly like the conclusion of this business, though the French have embarked Fitzjames’s regiment at Ostend for Scotland.  The Duke’s name disperses armies, as the Pretender’s raised them.

The French seem to be at the eve of taking Antwerp and Brussels, the latter of which is actually besieged.  In this case I don’t see how we can send an army abroad this summer, for there will be no considerable towns in Flanders left in the possession of the Empress-Queen.

The new regiments, of which I told you so much, have again been in dispute:  as their term was near expired, the ministry proposed to continue them for four months longer.  This was last Friday, when, as we every hour expected the news of a conclusive battle, which, if favourable, would render them useless, Mr. Fox, the general against the new regiments, begged it might only be postponed till the following Wednesday, but 170 against 89 voted them that very day.  On the very Wednesday came the news of the flight of the rebels; and two days before that, news from Chester of Lord Gower’s new regiment having mutinied, on hearing that they were to be continued beyond the term for which they had listed.

At court all is confusion-. the King, at Lord Bath’s instigation, has absolutely refused to make Pitt secretary at war.(1164) How this will end, I don’t know, but I don’t believe in bloodshed:  neither side is famous for being incapable of yielding.

I wish you joy of having the Chutes again, though I am a little sorry that their bravery was not rewarded by staying at Rome till they could triumph in their turn:  however, I don’t believe that at Florence you want opportunities of exulting.  That Monro you mention was made travelling physician by my father’s interest, who had great regard for the old doctor.(1165) if he has any skill in quacking madmen, his art may perhaps be of service now in the Pretender’s court.

I beg my eagle may not come till it has the opportunity of a man-of-war:  we have lost so many merchantmen lately, that I should never expect to receive it that way.

I can say nothing to your opinion of the young Pretender being a cheat; nor, as the rebellion is near at end, do I see what end it would answer to prove him original or spurious.  However, as you seem to dwell upon it, I will mention it again to my uncle.