reality and ingratitude, proposes, I imagine, on a refusal which she deserves and has drawn upon her, to think herself justified in assisting France in some attempts on us from the coast of Flanders.  I have received yours of October 23d, and am glad the English showed a proper disregard of Richcourt.  Thank you a thousand times for your goodness to Mr. and Mrs. Dick:  it obliges me exceedingly, and I am sure will be most grateful to Lady Henry Beauclerc.

I don’t know what to answer to that part about your brother:  you think and argue exactly as I have done; would I had not found it in vain! but, my dear child, you and I have never been married, and are sad judges!  As to your elder brother’s interposition, I wish he had tenderness enough to make him arbitrary.  I beg your pardon, but he is fitter to marry your sister than to govern her.  Your brother Gal. certainly looks better; yet I think of him just as you do, and by no means trust to so fallacious a distemper.  Indeed I tease him to death to take a resolution, but to no purpose.  In short, my dear Sir, they are melancholy words, but I can neither flatter you publicly nor privately; England is undone, and your brother is not to be persuaded; Yet i hope the former will not be quite given up, and I shall certainly neglect nothing possible with regard to the latter.  Adieu! ’

(733) Doddington, in his Diary of the 15th, says, “The Duke of Devonshire told me that he was forced by the King to take the employment he held; that his grace was ordered to go to Mr. Pitt, and know upon what conditions he would serve; that, in the arrangement Pitt and his friends made, my office was demanded—­he was sorry for it—­he was not concerned in it—­and he behaved very civilly,” etc.-E.

350 Letter 203 To George Montagu, Esq.  Arlington Street, Nov. 25, 1756.

You must tell me what or whose the verses are that you demand; I know of none.  I could send you reams of tests, contests, and such stupid papers, and bushels of more stupid cards.  I know of nothing good; nor of any news, but that the committee of creations is not closed yet.  Mr. Obrien was yesterday created Irish Earl of Thomond.  Mr. Pitt is to be wrapped up in flannel, and brought to town to-morrow to see King George the Second; and I believe, to dissolve the new ministry, rather than to cement it.  Mr. Fox has commenced hostilities, and has the borough of Stockbridge from under Dr. Hay, one of the new admiralty; this enrages extremely the new ministers, who, having neither members nor boroughs enough , will probably recur to their only resource, popularity.

I am exceedingly obliged to the Colonel, but is that new? to whom am I so much obliged?  I will not trouble him with any commissions:  the little money I have I am learning to save:  the times give one a hint that one may have occasion for it.

I beg my best compliments to Mr. and Mrs. Wetenhall, and Mr. John Montagu.  Don’t you wish me joy of my Lord Hertford’s having the garter!  It makes me very happy!  Adieu!