Millar the bookseller has done generously by him:  finding Tom Jones, for which he had given him six hundred pounds, sell So greatly, he has since given him another hundred.(43) Now I talk to you of authors, Lord Cobham’s West(44) has published his translation of Pindar; the poetry is very stiff, but prefixed to it there is a very entertaining account of the Olympic games, and that preceded by an affected inscription to Pitt and Lyttelton.  The latter has declared his future match with Miss Rich.  George Grenville has been married these two days to Miss Windham.  Your friend Lord North is, I suppose you know, on the brink with the countess of Rockingham;(45) and I think your cousin Rice is much inclined to double the family alliance with her sister Furnese.  It went on very currently for two or three days, but last night at Vauxhall his minionette face seemed to be sent to languish with Lord R. Berties’s.

Was not you sorry for poor Cucumber?  I do assure you I was; it was shocking to be hurried away so suddenly, and in so much torment.  You have heard I suppose of Lord Harry Beauclerc’s resignation, on his not being able to obtain a respite till November, though the lowest officer in his regiment has got much longer leave.  It is incredible how Nolkejumskoi has persecuted this poor man for these four years, since he could not be persuaded to alter his vote at a court-martial for the acquittal of a man whom the Duke would have condemned.  Lord Ossulston, too, has resigned his commission.

I must tell you a good story of Charles Townshend:  you know his political propensity and importance; his brother George was at supper at the King’s Arms with some more young men.  The conversation somehow or other rambled into politics, and it was started that the national debt was a benefit.  “I am sure it is not,” said Mr. Townshend; I can’t tell why, but my brother Charles can, and I will send to him for arguments.”  Charles was at supper at another tavern, but so much the dupe of this message, that he literally called for ink and paper, wrote four long sides of arguments, and sent word that when his company broke up, he would come and give them more, which he did at one o’clock in the morning.  I don’t think you will laugh much less at what happened to me:  I wanted a print out of a booth, which I did not care to buy at Osborn’s shop:  the next day he sent me the print, and begged that when I had any thing to publish, I would employ him.

I will now tell you, and finish this long letter, how I shocked Mr. Mackenzie inadvertently at Vauxhall:  we had supped there a great party, and coming out, Mrs. More, who waits at the gate, said, “Gentlemen and ladies, you will walk in and hear the surprising alteration of voice?” I forgetting Mackenzie’s connexions, and that he was formerly of the band, replied, “No, I have seen patriots enough.”

I intend this letter shall last you till you come to Strawberry Hill. one might have rolled it out into half-a-dozen.  My best compliments to your sisters.