without saying any thing to reflect on him, I don’t know where you can ever have a competitor, and not have the world on your side.  Though the tenure is precarious, I cannot help liking the situation for you.  Any thing that sets you in new lights, must be for your advantage.  You are naturally indolent and humble, and are content with being perfect in whatever you happen to be.  It is not flattering you to Say, nor can you deny it, with all your modesty, that you have always made yourself’ master of whatever you have attempted, and have never made yourself master of any thing without shining extremely in it.  If the King lives, you will have his favour; if he lives it all, the Prince must have a greater establishment, and then you will have the King’s partiality to countenance your being removed to some distinguished place about the Prince:  if the King should fail, your situation in his family, and your age, naturally recommend you to an equal place in the new household.  I am the more desirous of seeing you at court, because, when I consider the improbability of our being in a situation to make war, I am earnest to have you have other opportunities of being one of the first men in this country, besides being a general.  Don’t think all I say on this subject compliment.  I can have no view in flattering you; and You have a still better reason for believing me sincere, which is, that you know well that I thought the same of you, and professed the same to you, before I was of an age to have either views or flattery; indeed, I believe you know me enough to be sure that I am as void of both now as when I was fourteen, and that I am so little apt to court any body, that if you heard me say the same to any body but yourself, you would easily think that I spoke what I thought.

George Montagu and his brother are here, and have kept me from meeting you in town:  we go on Saturday to the Vine.  I fear there is too much truth in what you have heard of your old mistress.(515) When husband, wife, lover, and friend tell every thing, can there but be a perpetual fracas?  My dear Harry, how lucky you was in what you escaped, and in what you have got!  People do sometimes avoid, not always, what is most improper for them; but they do not afterwards always meet with what they most deserve.  But how lucky you are in every thing! and how ungrateful a man to Providence if you are not thankful for so many blessings as it has given you!  I won’t preach, though the dreadful history which I have just heard of poor Lord Drumlanrig(516) is enough to send one to La Trappe.  My compliments to all yours, and Adieu!

(513) Now first printed.

(514) His being appointed groom of the bedchamber to the King, George the Second.-E.

(515) Caroline Fitzroy, Countess of Harrington.-E.