We have nothing new but two or three new plays, and those not worth sending to you.  The answer to the Prussian memorial, drawn chiefly by Murray, is short, full, very fine, and has more spirit than I thought we had by us.  The whole is rather too good, as I believe our best policy would have been, to be in the wrong, and make satisfaction for having been ill-used:  the author with whom we have to deal, is not a sort of man to stop at being confuted.  Adieu!

(369) Sir Henry Liddel, Baron of Ravensworth.

(370) “Upon the whole matter,” says the Hon. Philip Yorke, in his ms. Parliamentary Journal, “the lords came unanimously to an opinion of reporting to the King, that there appeared to them no foundation for any part of the charge; that Mr. Fawcett, the only evidence, had grossly prevaricated in it:  that it was malicious and scandalous, and ought not to affect the character of the Bishop, or either of the gentlemen who were aspersed by it."-E.

159 Letter 73 To Sir Horace Mann.  Arlington Street, March 27, 1753.

Such an event as I mentioned to you in my last, has, you may well believe, had some consequences; but only enough to show what it would have had in less quiet times.  Last week the Duke of Bedford moved in the House of Commons to have all the papers relating to Lord Ravensworth and Fawcett laid before them.  As he had given notice of his intention, the ministry, in a great fright, had taken all kind of precaution to defeat the motion; and succeeded—­if it can be called success to have quashed the demand, and thereby confirmed the suspicions.  After several councils, it was determined, that all the cabinet councillors should severally declare the insufficience and prevarication of Fawcett’s evidence:  they did, and the motion Was rejected by 122 to 5.(371) If one was prejudiced by classic notions of the wisdom and integrity of a senate, that debate would have cured them.  The flattery to Stone was beyond belief:  I will give you but one instance.  The Duke of Argyll said, “He had happened to be at the secretary’s office during the rebellion, when two Scotchmen came to ask for a place, which one obtained, the other lost, but went away best pleased, from Mr. Stone’s gracious manner of refusal!” It appeared in the most glaring manner, that the Bishop of Gloucester had dictated to Fawcett a letter of acquittal to himself; and not content with that, had endeavoured to persuade him to make additions to it some days after.  It was as plain, that Fawcett had never prevaricated till these private interviews(372) With the prelate-yet there were 122 to 5!

I take for granted our politics adjourn here till next winter unless there should be any Prussian episode.  It is difficult to believe that that King has gone so far, without intending to go farther:  if he is satisfied with the answer to his memorial, though it is the fullest that ever was made, yet it will be the first time that ever a monarch was convinced!  For a King of the Romans, it seems as likely that we should see a King of the Jews.