I have again talked over with our Chute the affair of Venice; besides seeing no practicability in it, we think you will not believe that Sir James Grey will be so simple as to leave Venice, whither with difficulty he obtained to be sent, when you hear that Mr. Legge(1411) has actually kissed hands, and sets out on Friday for ’Berlin, as envoy extraordinary and plenipotentiary.  We thought Sir Everard Falkener Sure; but this has come forth very unexpectedly.  Legge is certainly a wiser choice’-, nobody has better parts; and if art and industry can obtain success, I know no one would use more:  but I don’t think that the King of Prussia,’ with half parts and much cunning, is so likely to be the dupe of more parts and as much cunning-, as the people with whom Legge has so prosperously pushed his fortune.  My father was fond of him to the greatest degree of partiality, till he endeavoured to have a nearer tie than flattery gave him, by trying to marry Lady Mary:  after that my lord could never bear his name.  Since that. he has wiggled himself in with the Pelhams, by being the warmest friend and servant of their new allies, and is the first favourite of the little Duke of Bedford.  Mr. Villiers(1412) was desired to go to Berlin, but refused and proposed himself for the treasury, till they could find something else for him.  They laughed at this; but he is as fit for one employment as the other.  We have a stronger reason than any I have mentioned against going to Venice; which is, the excuse it might give to the Vine,(1413) to forget we were in being; an excuse which his hatred of our preferment would easily make him embrace, as more becoming a good Christian brother!

The ministry are triumphant in their Parliament:  there have been great debates on the new taxes, but no division:  the House is now sitting on the Wareham election, espousing George Pitt’s uncle,(1414 one of the most active Jacobites, but of the coalition and in place, against Drax,(1415) a great favourite of the Prince, but who has already lost one question on this election by a hundred.

Admiral Vernon has just published a series of letters to himself(1416) among which are several of Lord Bath, written in the height of his opposition:  there is one in particular, to congratulate Vernon on taking Portobello, wherein this great Virtuous patriot advises him to do nothing more,(1417) assuring him that his inactivity would all be imputed to my father.  One does not hear that Lord Bath has called him to any account for this publication, though as villainous to these correspondents as one of them was in writing such a letter; or as the Admiral himself was, who used to betray all his instructions to this enemy of the government.  Nobody can tell why he has published these letters now, unless to get money.  What ample revenge every year gives my father against his patriot enemies!  Had he never deserved well himself’,posterity must still have the greatest opinion of him, when they see on what rascal foundations