a little jealous for my adored Madame de S`evign`e.  I am quite glad to find that they do not continue equally agreeable.  The extreme misery to which France was reduced at the end of Queen Anne’s war, is more striking than one could conceive.  I hope it is a debt that they are not going to pay, though the news that arrived on Wednesday have but a black aspect.  The consternation on the behaviour of Byng,(693) and on the amazing Council of war at Gibraltar,(694) is extreme; many think both next to impossibilities.  In the mean time we fear the loss of Minorca.  I could not help smiling t’other day at two passages in Madame Maintenon’s Letters relating to the Duc de Richelieu, when he first came into the world:  “Jamais homme n’a mieux r`eussi `a la cour, la premi`ere fois qu’il y a paru:  c’est r`eellement une tr`es-jolie cr`eature!” Again:—­“C’est la plus aimable poup`ee qu’on puisse voir.”  How mortifying that this , jolie poup`ee should be the avenger Of the Valoises!

Adieu! my lord.  I don’t believe that a daughter of the Duke of Argyle(695) will think that the present I have announced in the first part of my letter balances the inglorious article in the end.  I wish you would both renew the breed of heroes, which seems scarcer than that of gold pheasants!

(692) William Wentworth, second Earl of Strafford, of the second creation.  He married Lady Anne Campbell, second daughter of John, second Duke of Argyle, and died in 1791.-E.

(693) Hon. John Byng, fourth son of Admiral Byng; a distinguished officer, who, for his eminent services, was created Viscount Torrington in 1721.-E.

(694) A council of war was held at Gibraltar, to decide upon a request made by Admiral Byng for a reinforcement of troops from that garrison for the defence of Minorca; where M. de la Galissoni`ere, with thirteen sail of the line and several transports, had, towards the end of April, landed a large body of land forces under the command of the Duc de Richelieu.-E.

(695) Lady Strafford was the youngest daughter of John Duke of Argyle.

327 Letter 186 To John Chute, Esq.(696) Arlington Street, June 8, 1756.

My dear sir, Pray have a thousand masses said in your divine chapel `a l’intention of your poor country.  I believe the occasion will disturb the founder of it, and make him shudder in his shroud for the ignominy of his countrymen.  By all one learns, Byng, Fowke, and all the officers at Gibraltar, were infatuated!  They figured Port Mahon lost, and Gibraltar a-going! a-going!  Lord Effingham, Cornwallis, Lord Robert Bertie, all, all signed the council of war, and are in as bad odour as possible.  The King says It will be his death, and that he neither eats nor sleeps—­all our trust is in Hanoverians.

The Prince has desired to be excused living at Kensington, but accepts of 40,000 pounds a year; 5,000 pounds is given to Prince Edward, and an establishment is settling; but that too will meet with difficulties.  I will be more circumstantial when we Meet.(697)