(787) This was the battle of Prague, gained by the King of Prussia on the 6th of May, 1757, over the forces of the Empress-Queen, commanded by Prince Charles of Lorraine.-D.

375 Letter 219 To George Montagu, Esq.  May 27, 1757.

I have ticketed you with numbers 5832, 58322, 58323, 58324, 58325, 58326; I think you bespoke six.  I do not send them by post, unless you order it:  but I have writ your name on each, lest in case of accident my executors should put them into my auction, for which you are so impatient, and then you would have to buy them over again.

I am glad you like Xo Ho:  I think every body does, which is strange, considering it has no merit but truth.  Mrs. Clive cried out like you, “Lord! you will be sent to the Tower!” “Well,” said I coolly, “my father was there before me.”

Lord Abercorn’s picture is extremely like; he seems by the Vandyke habit to be got back into his own times; but nothing is finished yet, except the head.

You will be diverted with a health which my Lady Townshend gave at supper with the Prince t’other night:  “’Tis a health you will all like,” she said.  “Well! what is it?” “The three P’s.”  The boy coloured up to the eyes.  After keeping them in suspense some time, she named, Pitt, Peace, and Plenty.  The Princess has given Home, the author of Douglas, a hundred a year.  Prince and Princess Edward continue to entertain themselves and Ranelagh every night.

I wish your brother and all heirs to estates joy, for old Shutz is dead, and cannot wriggle himself into any more wills.  The ministry is not yet hatched; the King of Prussia is conquering the world; Mr. Chute has some murmurs of the gout; and I am yours for ever.

376 Letter 220 To Sir Horace Mann.  Arlington Street, June 1, 1757.

After a vacancy of full two months, we are at last likely to have a ministry again—­I do not promise you a very lasting one.  Last Wednesday the conferences broke off between the Duke of Newcastle and Mr. Pitt; the latter demanding a full restoration of his friends, with the admiralty and a peerage for Mr. Legge, the blue riband and, I believe, Ireland for Lord Temple, and Mr. Grenville for chancellor of the exchequer, with stipulations that no more money should be sent this year to Germany.  The last article, the admiralty, and especially the exchequer, were positively refused; and on Friday the Duke went to the King, and consented to be sole minister, insisting that Mr. Fox should be nothing but paymaster, not cabinet-councillor, and have no power; Sir Thomas Robinson to be again secretary of state, and Sir George Lee chancellor of exchequer.  For form, he was to retire to Claremont for a few days, to take advice of his oracle, whose answer he had already dictated.  Lord Hardwicke refuses the seals; says, he desires nobody should be dismissed for him; if president or privy seal should by any means be vacant, he will