Admiral Byng’s tragedy was completed on Monday-a perfect tragedy, for there were variety of incidents, villany, murder, and a hero!  His sufferings, persecutions, aspersions, disturbances, nay, the revolutions of his fate, had not in the least unhinged his mind; his whole behaviour was natural and firm.  A few days before, one of his friends standing by him, said, “Which of us is the tallest?” He replied, “Why this ceremony?  I know what it means; let the man come and measure me for my coffin.”  He said, that being acquitted of cowardice, and being persuaded on the coolest reflection that he had acted for the best, and should act so again, he was not unwilling to suffer. he desired to be shot on the quarter-deck, not where common malefactors are; came out at twelve, sat down in a chair, for he would not kneel, and refused to have his face covered, that his countenance might show whether he feared death; but being told that it might frighten his executioners, he submitted, gave the signal at once, received one shot through the head, another through the heart, and fell.  Do cowards live or die thus?  Can that man want spirit who only fears to terrify his executioners?  Has the aspen Duke of Newcastle lived thus?  Would my Lord Hardwicke die thus, even supposing he had nothing on his conscience?

This scene is over! what will be the next is matter of great uncertainty.  The new ministers are well weary of their situation; without credit at court, without influence in the House of Commons, undermined every where, I believe they are too sensible not to desire to be delivered of their burthen, which those who increase yet dread to take on themselves.  Mr. Pitt’s health is as bad as his situation:  confidence between the other factions almost impossible; yet I believe their impatience will prevail over their distrust.  The nation expects a change every day, and being a nation, I believe, desires it; and being the English nation, will condemn it the moment it is made.  We are trembling for Hanover, and the Duke is going to command the army of observation.  These are the politics of the week; the diversions are balls, and the two Princes frequent them; but the eldest nephew(770) remains shut up in a room, where, as desirous as they are of keeping him, I believe he is now and then incommode.  The Duke of Richmond has made two balls on his approaching wedding with Lady Mary Bruce, Mr. Conway’s(771) daughter-in-law:  it is the perfectest match in the world; youth, beauty, riches, alliances, and all the blood of all the kings from Robert Bruce to Charles the Second. they are the prettiest couple in England, except the father-in-law and mother.

As I write so often to you, you must be content with shorter letters, which, however, are always as long as I can make them.  This summer will not contract our correspondence.  Adieu! my dear Sir.

(770) George Prince of Wales, afterwards George iii.

(771) Lady Mary Bruce was only daughter of Charles last Earl of Ailesbury, by his third wife, Caroline, daughter of General John Campbell, afterwards Duke of Argyll. lady Ailesbury married to her second husband, Colonel Henry Seymour Conway, only brother of Francis Earl of Hertford.