We rejoice at the victories of the King of Sardinia, whom we thought lost to our cause.  To-day we are to vote subsidies to the Electors of Cologne and Mentz.  I don’t know whether they will be opposed by the Electoral Prince;(1176) but he has lately erected a new opposition, by the councils of Lord Bath, who has got him from Lord Granville:  the latter and his faction act with the court.

I have told you to the utmost extent of my political knowledge; of private history there is nothing new.  Don’t think, my dear child, that I hurry over my letters, or neglect writing to you; I assure you I never do, when I have the least grain to lap up in a letter:  but consider how many chapters of correspondence are extinct:  Pope and poetry are dead!  Patriotism has kissed hands on accepting a place:  the Ladies O. and T.’ have exhausted scandal both in their persons and conversations:  divinity and controversy are grown good Christians, say their prayers and spare their neighbours; and I think even self-murder is out of fashion.  Now judge whether a correspondent can furnish matter for the common intercourse of the post.

Pray what luxurious debauch has Mr. Chute been guilty of, that he is laid up with the gout?  I mean, that he was, for I hope his fit has not lasted till now.  If you are ever so angry, I must say, I flatter myself I shall see him before my eagle, which I beg may repose itself still at Leghorn, for the French privateers have taken such numbers of our merchantmen, that I cannot think of suffering it to come that way.  If you should meet with a good opportunity of a man-of-war, let it come-or I will postpone my impatience.  Adieu!

P. S. I had sealed my letter, but break it open, to tell you that an account is just arrived of two of our privateers having met eight-and- twenty transports going with supplies to the Brest fleet, and sunk ten, taken four, and driven the rest on shore.

)1176) The prince of Wales.

471 Letter 198
To sir Horace Mann. 
Arlington Street, March 28, 1746.

I don’t at all recollect what was in those two letters of mine, which I find you have lost:  for your sake, as you must be impatient for English news, I am sorry you grow subject to these miscarriages but in general, I believe there is little of consequence in my correspondence.

The Duke has not yet left Aberdeen, for want of his supplies; but by a party which he sent out, and in which Mr. Conway was, the rebels do not seem to have recovered their spirits, though they have recruited their numbers; for eight hundred of them fled on the first appearance of our detachment, and quitted an advantageous post.  As much as you know, and as much as you have lately heard of Scotch finesse, you will yet be startled at the refinements that nation have made upon their own policy.  Lord Fortrose,(1177) whose father was in the last rebellion, and who has himself been restored to his fortune, is in Parliament