(570) On the banks of the Moldaw near Prague.

253 Letter 135
To Richard Bentley, Esq. 
Strawberry Hill, June 10, 1755.

Mr. Muntz(571) is arrived.  I am sorry I can by no means give any commendation to the hasty step you took about him.  Ten guineas were a great deal too much to advance to him, and must raise expectations in him that will not at all answer.  You have entered into no written engagement with him, nor even sent me his receipt for the money.  My good Sir, is this the sample you give me of the prudence and providence you have learned?  I don’t love to enter into the particulars of my own affairs; I will only tell you in one word, that they require great management.  My endeavours are all employed to serve you; don’t, I beg, give me reasons to apprehend that they will be thrown away.  It is much in obscurity, whether I shall be able to accomplish your re-establishment; but I shall go on with great discouragement, if I cannot promise myself that you will be a very different person after your return.  I shall never have it in my power to do twice what I am now doing for you; and I choose to say the worst beforehand, rather than to reprove you for indolence and thoughtlessness hereafter, when it may be too late.  Excuse my being so serious, but I find it is necessary.

You are not displeased with me, I know, even when I pout:  you see I am not quite in good-humour with you, and I don’t disguise it; but I have done scolding you for this time.  Indeed, I might as well continue it; for I have nothing else to talk of but Strawberry, and of that subject you must be well wearied.  I believe she alluded to my disposition to pout, rather than meant to compliment me, when my Lady Townshend said to somebody t’other day, who told her how well Mrs. Leneve was, and in spirits, “Oh! she must be in spirits:  why, she lives with Mr. Walpole, who is spirit of hartshorn!”

Princess Emily has been here:—­Liked it?—­Oh no!—­I don’t wonder; I never liked St. James’-,.  She was so inquisitive and so curious in prying into the very offices and servants’ rooms, that her Captain Bateman was sensible of it, and begged Catherine not to mention it. he addressed himself well, if he hoped to meet with taciturnity!  Catherine immediately ran down to the pond, and whispered to all the reeds, “Lord! that a princess should be such a gossip!” In short, Strawberry Hill is the puppet-show of the times.

I have lately bought two more portraits of personages in Grammont, Harry Jermyn(572) and Chiffinch:(573) my Arlington Street is so full of portraits, that I shall scarce find room for Mr. Muntz’s works.

Wednesday, 11th.