(1327) Of Mr. Mann’s arrears.

(1328) George, only son of Robert, second Earl of Orford, whom he succeeded in the title.

517 Letter 228 To Sir Horace Mann.  Arlington Street, Jan. 27, 1747.

The Prince has formally declared a new Opposition which is never to subside till he is King (s’entendent that he does not carry his point sooner.) He began it pretty handsomely the other day with 143 to 184, which has frightened the ministry like a bomb.  This new party wants nothing but heads; though not having any, to be sure the struggle is the fairer.  Lord Baltimore(1329) takes the lead; he is the best and honestest man in the world, with a good deal of jumbled knowledge; but not capable of conducting a party.  However, the next day, the Prince, to reward him, and to punish Lord Archibald Himllton, who voted with the ministry, told Lord Baltimore that he would not give him the trouble of waiting any more as Lord of the Bedchamber. but would make him Cofferer.  Lord B. thanked him, but desired that it might not be done in a way disagreeable to Lord Archibald, who was then Cofferer.  The Prince sent for Lord Archibald, and told him he would either make him Comptroller, or give him a pension of twelve hundred pounds a-year; the latter of’ which the old soul accepted, and went away content; but returned in an hour with a letter from his wife,(1330) to say, that as his Royal Highness was angry with her husband, it was not proper for either of them to take their pensions.  It is excellent!  When she was dismissed herself, she accepted the twelve hundred pounds, and now will not let her husband, though he had accepted.  It must mortify the Prince wondrously to have four-and-twenty hundred pounds a-year thrown back into an exchequer that never yet overflowed!

I am a little piqued at Marquis Riccardi’s refusing me such a, trifle as the four rings, after all the trouble I have had with his trumpery!  I think I cannot help telling him, that Lord Carlisle and Lord Duncannon, Who heard of his collection from Niccolini, have seen it; and are willing, at a reasonable price, to take it between them:  if you let me know the lowest, and in money that I understand, not his equivocal pistoles, I will allow so much to Florence civilities, as still to help him off with his goods, though he does not deserve it; as selling me four rings could not have affected the general purchase.  I pity your Princess Strozzi(1331) but cannot possibly hunt after her chattels:  Riccardi has cured me of Italian merchandise, by forcing it upon me.’

Your account of your former friend’s neglect of you does not at all surprise me:  there is an inveteracy, a darkness, a design and cunning in his character that stamp him for a very unamiable young man:  it is uncommon for a heart to be so tainted so early My cousin’s(1332) affair is entirely owing to him;(1333) nor can I account for the pursuit of such unprovoked revenge.

I never heard of the advertisement that you mention to have received from Sir James Grey,(1334) nor believe it was ever in the House of Commons; I must have heard of it.  I hear as little of Lady O. who never appears; nor do I know if she sees Niccolini:  he lives much with Lady Pomfret (who has married her third daughter),(1335) and a good deal with the Prince.