obstruction in his breast.  I shall go out to him again the day after to-morrow, and pray as fervently as you yourself do, my dear Sir, for his recovery.  You have not more obligations to him, nor adore him more than I do.  As my tenderness and friendship is so strong for you both, you may depend on hearing from me constantly; but a declining constitution, you know, will not admit of a very rapid recovery.  Though he is fallen away, he looks well in the face, and his eyes are very lively:  the weather is very warm, he wants no advice, and I assure you no solicitude for his health; no man ever was so beloved, and so deservingly!  Besides Dr. Baker, the physician of Richmond, who is so much esteemed, he has consulted Dr. Pringle, who is in the first repute, and who is strongly for the quicksilver.  I enter Into these particulars, because, when one is anxious, one loves to know the most minute.  Nothing is capable of making me so happy, as being able soon to send you a better account.

Our politics wear a serener face than they have done of late:  you will have heard that our nephew of Prussia-I was going to say, has asked blessing—­begging our dignity’s pardon, I fear he has given blessing!  In short, he guarantees the empire with us from all foreign troops.  It is pleasant to think, that at least we shall be to fight for ourselves.  Fight we must, France says:  but when she said so last, she knew nothing of our cordiality with the court of Berlin.  Monsieur Rouill`e very lately wrote to Mr. Fox, by way of Monsieur Bonac in Holland, to say his master ordered the accompanying M`emoire to be transmitted to his Britannic Majesty in person; it is addressed to nobody, but after professing great disposition to peace, and complaining in harsh terms of our brigandages and pirateries, it says, that if we will restore their ships, goods, etc. they shall then be ready to treat.  We have returned a squab answer, retorting the infraction of treaties, professing a desire of peace too, but declare we cannot determine upon restitution comme pr`eliminaire.  If we do not, the M`emoire says, they shall look upon it comme declaration de guerre la plus authentique.  Yet, in my own opinion, they will not declare it; especially since the King of Prussia has been Russianed out of their alliance.  They will probably attempt some stroke; I think not succeed in it, and then lie by for an opportunity when they shall be stronger.  They can only go to Holland, attempt these islands, or some great coup in America.(657) Holland they may swallow when they will; yet, why should they, when we don’t attempt to hinder them? and it would be madness if -we did.  For coming hither, our fleet is superior say, but equal:  our army and preparations greater than ever—­if an invasion were still easy, should we be yet to conquer, when we have been so long much more exposed?  In America we arc much stronger than they, and have still more chances of preventing their performing any action of consequence.