and scarce with a possibility of beginning another campaign, we are as martial as ever:  I don’t know whether it is, because we think a bad peace worse than a bad war, or that we don’t look upon misfortunes and defeats abroad as enough our own, and are willing to taste of both at home.  We are in no present apprehension from domestic disturbances, nor, in my private opinion, do I believe the French will attempt us, till it is for themselves.  They need not be at the trouble of sending us Stuarts; that ingenious house could not have done the work of France more effectually than the Pelhams and the patriots have.

I will tell you a secret:  there is a transaction going on to send Sir Charles Williams to Turin; he has asked it. and it is pushed.  In my private opinion, I don’t believe Villettes(1406) will be easily overpowered; though I wish it, from loving Sir Charles and from thinking meanly of the other; but talents are no passports.  Sir Everard Falkener(1407) is going to Berlin.  General Sinclair is presently to succeed Wentworth:  he is Scotchissime, in all the latitude of the word, and not very able; he made a poor business of it at Port l’Orient.

Lord Coke(1408) has demolished himself very fast:  I mean his character:  you know he was married but last spring; he is always drunk, has lost immense sums at play, and seldom goes home to his wife till early in the morning.  The world is vehement on her side; and not only her family, but his own, give him up.  At present, matters are patching up by the mediation of my brother, but I think can never go on:  she married him extremely against her will, and he is at least an out-pensioner of Bedlam:  his mother’s family have many of them been mad.

I thank you, I have received the eagle’s head:  the bill is broken off individually in the same spot with the original; but, as the piece is not lost, I believe it will serve.

I should never have expected you to turn Lorrain:(1409) is your Madame de Givrecourt a successor(1410) of my sister?  I think you hint so.  Where is the Princess, that you are so reduced?  Adieu! my dear child.  I don’t say a kind word to you, because you seem to think it necessary, for assuring you of the impossibility of my ever forgetting, or loving you less.

(1406) Minister at Turin, and afterwards in Switzerland.

(1407) He had been ambassador at Constantinople:  he was not sent to Berlin, but was secretary to the Duke, and one of the general postmasters.

(1408) Edward, only son of Thomas, Earl of Leicester, married Mary, youngest daughter of John, Duke of Argyll, from whom he was parted.  He died in 1752.

(1409) The Emperor kept a Lorrain regiment at Florence; but there was little intercourse between the two nations.

(1410) With Count Richcourt.

542 Letter 247
To Sir Horace Mann. 
Arlington Street, Jan. 26, 1748.