In Ireland, Mr. Conway has pacified all things:  the Irish are to get as drunk as ever to the glorious and immortal memory of King George, and the prerogative is to be exalted as high as ever, by being obliged to give up the Primate.  There!  I think I have told you volumes:  yet I know you will not be content, you will want to know something of the war, and of America; but, I assure you, it is not the bon-ton to talk of either this week.  We think not of the former, and of the latter we should think to very little purpose ’. for we have not heard a syllable more; Braddock’s defeat still remains in the situation of the longest battle that ever was fought with nobody.  Content your English spirit with knowing that there are very near three thousand French prisoners in England, taken out of several ships.

281 Letter 153 To George Montagu, Esq.  Arlington Street, Oct. 7, 1755.

My dear sir, Nobody living feels more for you than I do:  nobody knows better either the goodness and tenderness of your heart, or the real value of the person you have lost.’  I cannot flatter myself that any thing I could say would comfort you under an affliction so well founded; but I should have set out, and endeavoured to share your concern, if Mrs. Trevor had not told me that you were going into Cheshire.  I will only say, that if you think change of place can contribute at all to divert your melancholy, you know where you would be most welcome; and whenever you will come to Strawberry Hill, you will, at least, if you do not find a comforter, find a most sincere friend that pities your distress, and would do any thing upon earth to alleviate your misfortune.  If you can listen yet to any advice, let me recommend to you to give up all thoughts of Greatworth; you will never be able to support life there any more:  let me look out for some little box for you in my neighbourhood.  You can live nowhere where you will be more beloved; and you will there always have it in your power to enjoy company Or solitude, as you like.  I have long wished to get you so far back into the world, and now it is become absolutely necessary for your health and peace.  I will say no more, lest too long a letter should be either troublesome or make you think it necessary to answer; but do not, till you find it more agreeable to vent your grief this way than in any other.  I am, my good Sir, with hearty concern and affection, yours most sincerely.

(619) His sister, Miss Harriet Montagu.

281 Letter 154
To Richard Bentley, Esq. 
Arlington Street, Oct. 19, 1755.

Do you love royal quarrels?  You may be served-I know you don’t love an invasion-nay, that even passes my taste; it will make too much party.  In short, the lady dowager Prudence begins to step a little over the threshold of that discretion which she has always hitherto so sanctimoniously observed.  She is suspected of strange whims; so strange, as neither to like more German subsidies or more German matches.