certainly overshot themselves; we took it upon a higher style than they expected, or than has been our custom.  The spirit and expedition with which we have equipped so magnificent a navy has surprised them, and does exceeding honour to my Lord Anson, who has breathed new life into our affairs.  The minister himself has retained little or none of his brother’s and of his own pusillanimity; and as the Duke(578) is got into the Regency, you may imagine our land-spirit will not be unquickened neither.  This is our situation; actual news there is none.  All we hear from France is, that a new-madness reigns there, as strong as that of Pantins was.  This is la fureur des cabriolets; singlic`e, one-horse chairs, a mode introduced by Mr. Child:(579) they not only universally go in them, but wear them; that is, every thing is to be en cabriolet; the men paint them on their waistcoats, and have them embroidered for clocks to their stockings; and the women, who have gone all the winter without any thing on their heads, are now muffled up in great caps with round sides, in the form of, and scarce less than the wheels of chaises!  Adieu! my dear Sir.

(577) The Countess of Orford.

(578) The Duke of Cumberland.

(579) Josiah Child, brother of the Earl of Tilney.

257 Letter 137
To Richard Bentley, Esq. 
Strawberry Hill, July 5, 1755.

You vex me exceedingly.  I beg, if it is not too late, that you would not send me these two new quarries of granite; I had rather pay the original price and leave them where they are, than be encumbered with them.  My house is already a stone-cutter’s shop, nor do I know what to do with what I have got.  But this is not what vexes me, but your desiring me to traffic with Carter, and showing me that you are still open to any visionary project!  Do you think I can turn broker and factor, and- I don’t know what?  And at your time of life, do you expect to make a fortune by becoming a granite-merchant?  There must be great demand for a commodity that costs a guinea a foot, and a month an inch to polish!  You send me no drawings, for which you know I should thank you infinitely, and are hunting for every thing that I would thank you for letting alone.  In short, my dear Sir, I am determined never to be a projector, nor to deal with projects.  If you still pursue them, I must beg you will not only not employ me in them, but not even let me know that you employ any body else.  If you will not be content with my plain, rational way of serving you, I can do no better, nor can I joke upon it.  I can combat any difficulties for your service but those of your own raising.  Not to talk any more crossly, and to prevent, if I can, for the future, any more of these expostulations, I must tell you plainly, that with regard to my own circumstances.  I generally drive to a penny, and have no money to spare for visions.  I do and am doing all I can for you; and let me desire you once for all, not to send me any more persons or things without asking my consent, and stay till you receive it.  I cannot help adding to the chapter of complaint* * * *