The Boccaneri seems to be one of those ladies who refine so much upon debauchery as to make even matrimony enter into their scheme of profligacy.  I have known more than one instance, since the days of the Signora Messalina, where the lady has not been content to cuckold her husband but with another husband.  All passions carried to extremity embrace within their circle even their opposites.  I don’t know whether Charles the Fifth did not resign the empire Out Of ambition of more fame.  I must contradict myself in all passions; I don’t believe Sir Robert Brown will ever be so covetous as to find a pleasure in squandering.

Mr. Chute is much yours:  I am going with him in a day or two to his Vine, where I shall try to draw him into amusing himself a little with building and planting; hitherto he has done nothing with his estate-but good.

You will have observed what precaution I had taken, in the smallness of the sheet, not to have too much paper to fill; and yet you see how much I have still upon my hands!  As, I assure you, were I to fill the remainder, all I should say would be terribly wiredrawn, do excuse me:  you shall hear an ample detail of the first Admiral Vernon that springs out of our American war; and I promise you at least half a brick of the first sample that is sent over of any new Porto Bello.  The French have tied up the hands of an excellent fanfaron, a Major Washington,(511) whom they took, and engaged not to serve for a year.  In his letter, he said, “Believe me, as the cannon-balls flew over my head. they made a most delightful sound.”  When your relation, General Guise, was marching up to Carthagena, and the pelicans whistled round him, he said, “What would Chlo`e(512) give for some of these to make a pelican pie?” The conjecture made that scarce a rodomontade; but what pity it is, that a man who can deal in hyperboles at the mouth of a cannon, should be fond of them with a glass of wine in his hand!  I have heard Guise affirm, that the colliers at Newcastle feed their children with fire-shovels!  Good night.

(511) This was the celebrated Liberator of America, who had been serving in the English army against the French for some time with much distinction.

(512 ) The Duke of Newcastle’s French cook.

220 Letter 112
To The Hon. H. S. Conway.(513)
Strawberry Hill, Oct. 24, 1754.

You have obliged me most extremely by telling me the progress you have made in your most desirable affair.(514) I call it progress, for, notwithstanding the authority you have for supposing there may be a compromise, I cannot believe that the Duke of Newcastle would have affirmed the contrary so directly, if he had known of it.  Mr. Brudenel very likely has been promised my Lord Lincoln’s interest, and then supposed he should have the Duke’s.  However, that is not your affair; if any body has reason to apprehend a breach of promise, it is poor Mr. Brudenel.  He can never come into competition with you; and