488 Letter 210 To Sir Horace Mann.  Arlington Street, July 7, 1746.

I have been looking at the dates of my letters, and find that I have not written you since the 20th of last month.  As long as it seems, I am not in fault; I now write merely lest you should think me forgetful of you, and not because I have any thing to say.  Nothing great has happened; and for little politics, I live a good deal out of the way of’ them.  I have no manner of connexion with any ministry, or opposition to ministry; and their merits and their faults are equally a secret to me.  The Parliament sitting, so long has worn itself to a skeleton; and almost every body takes the opportunity of shortening, their stay in the country, which I believe in their hearts most are glad to do, by going down, and returning for the trials, which are to be on the 28th of this month.  I am of the number; so don’t expect to hear from me again till that aera.

The Duke is still in Scotland, doing his family the only service that has been done for them there since their accession.  He daily picks Up notable prisoners, and has lately taken Lord Lovat, and Murray the secretary.  There are flying reports of the Boy being killed, but I think not certain enough for the father(1232) to faint away again-I blame myself for speaking lightly of the old man’s distress; but a swoon is so natural to his character, that one smiles at it at first, without considering when it proceeds from cowardice, and when from misery.  I heard yesterday that we are to expect a battle in Flanders soon:  I expect it with all the tranquillity that the love of one’s country admits, when one’s heart is entirely out of the question, as, thank God! mine is:  not one of my friends will be in it.  I -wish it may be as magnificent a victory for us, as your giornata di San Lazaro!

I am in great pain for my eagle, now the Brest fleet is thought to be upon the coast of Spain:  bi-it what do you mean by him and his pedestal filling three cases? is he like the Irishman’s bird, in two places at once?

Adieu! my dear child; don’t believe my love for you in the least abridged, whenever my letters are scarce or short.  I never loved you better, and never had less to say, both which I beg you will believe by my concluding, yours, etc.

P. S. Since I finished my letter, we hear that the French and Spaniards have escaped from Placentia, not without some connivance of your hero-king.(1233) Mons is taken.

(1232) James Stuart, called " The Old Pretender."-D.

(1233) The King of Sardinia.-D.

489 Letter 211
To sir Horace Mann. 
Arlington Street, Aug. 1, 1746.