The Duchess of Hamilton has brought her beauty to London at the only instant when it would not make a crowd.  I believe we should scarce stare at the King of Prussia, so much are we engrossed by this ministerial ferment.

I have been this morning to see your monument;(728) it is not Put together, but the parts are admirably executed; there is a helmet that would tempt one to enlist.  The inscription suits wonderfully, but I have overruled the golden letters, which not Only are not lasting, but would not do at all, as they are to be cut in statuary marble.  I have given him the arms, which certainly should be in colours:  but a shield for your sister’s would be barbarous tautology.  You see how arbitrary I am, as you gave me leave to be.  Adieu!

(728) To the memory of his sister, Miss Harriet Montagu.-E.

345 Letter 200 To Sir Horace Mann.  Arlington Street, Nov. 4, 1756.

I desired your brother last week to tell you that it was in vain for me to write while every thing was in such confusion.  The chaos is just as far from being dispersed now; I only write to tell you what has been its motions.  One of the Popes, I think, said soon after his accession, he did not think it had been so easy to govern.  What would he have thought of such a nation as this, engaged in a formidable war, without any government at all, literally, for above a fortnight!  The foreign ministers have not attempted to transact any business since yesterday fortnight.  For God’s sake, what do other countries say of us?—­but hear the progress of our inter-ministerium.

When Mr. Fox had declared his determination of resigning great offers were sent to Mr. Pitt; his demands were much greater, accompanied with a total exclusion of the Duke of Newcastle.  Some of the latter’s friends would have persuaded him, as the House of Commons is at his devotion, to have undertaken the government against both Pitt and Fox; but fears preponderated.  Yesterday his grace declared his resolution of retiring with all that satisfaction of mind which must attend a man whom not one man of sense, will trust any longer.  The King sent for Mr. Fox, and bid him try if Mr. Pitt would join him.  The latter, without any hesitation, refused.  In this perplexity the King ordered the Duke of Devonshire to try to compose some ministry for him, and sent him to Pitt, to try to accommodate with Fox.(729) Pitt, with a list of terms a little modified, was ready to engage, but on condition that Fox should have no employment in the cabinet.  Upon this plan negotiations have been carrying on for this week.  Mr. Pitt and Mr. Legge, whose whole party consists of from twelve to sixteen persons, exclusive of Leicester-house, (of that presently,) concluded they were entering on the government as secretary of state and chancellor of the exchequer;@ but there is so great unwillingness to give it up totally into their hands, that all manner of expedients have been projected to get rid of their