I came from London to-day, and am just come from supping at Mrs. Clive’s, to write to you by the fireside.  We have been exceedingly troubled for some time with St. Swithin’s diabetes, and have not a dry thread in any walk about us.  I am not apt to complain of this malady, nor do I:  it keeps us green at present, and will make our shades very thick, against we are fourscore, and fit to enjoy them.  I brought with me your two letters of July 30 and August 1st; a sight I have not seen a long time!  But, my dear Sir, you have been hurt at my late letters.  Do let me say thus much in excuse for myself.  You know how much I value, and what real and great satisfaction I have in your drawings.  Instead of pleasing me with so little trouble to yourself, do you think it was no mortification to receive every thing but your drawings? to find you full of projects, and, I will not say, with some imprudences?  But I have done on this subject—­my friendship will always be the same for you; it will only act with more or less cheerfulness, as you use your common sense, or your disposition to chimerical schemes and carelessness.  To give you all the present satisfaction in my power, I will tell you * * * * *

I think your good-nature means to reproach me with having dropped any hint of finding amusement in contemplating a war.  When one would not do any thing to promote it, when one would do any thing to put a period to it, when one is too insignificant to contribute to either, I must own I see no blame in thinking an active age more agreeable to live in, than a soporific one.  But, O my dear Sir, I must adopt your patriotism-Is not it laudable to be revived with the revival of British glory?  Can I be an indifferent spectator of the triumphs of my country’?  Can I help feeling a tattoo at my heart, when the Duke of Newcastle makes as great a figure in history as Burleigh or Godolphin-nay, as Queen Bess herself!  She gained no battles in person; she was only the actuating genius.  You seem to have heard of a proclamation of war, of which we have not heard; and not to have come to the knowledge of taking of Beau S`ejour(591) by Colonel Monckton.  In short, the French and we seem to have crossed over and figured in, in politics.(592) Mirepoix complained grievously that the Duke of Newcastle had overreached him-but he is to be forgiven in so good a cause!  It is the first person he ever deceived!  I am preparing a new folio for heads of the heroes that are to bloom in mezzo-tinto from this war.  At present my chief study is West Indian history.  You would not think me very ill-natured if you knew all I feel at the cruelty and villany of European settlers:  but this very morning I found that part of the purchase of Maryland from the savage proprietors (for we do not massacre, we are such good Christians as only to cheat) was a quantity of vermilion and a parcel of Jews-harps!  Indeed, if I pleased, I might have another study; it is my fault if I am not a commentator and a corrector of