(789) This relates to a print that made much noise, called “The Turnstile.”  The uncertain figure pretended to be Lord Lincoln, but was generally thought to mean the Prince of Wales, whom it resembled; but in the second impression a little demon was inserted to imply ,The Devil over Lincoln.”  Yet that evasion did not efface the first idea.

(790) The Duke of Cumberland.

377 Letter 221
To George Montagu, Esq. 
Arlington Street, June 2, 1757.

The ministry is to be settled to-day; there are different accounts how:  some say, that the Duke of Newcastle is to take orders and to have the reversion of the bishopric of Winchester:  that Mr. Pitt is to have a regiment and to go serve in Germany with the Duke; that Mr. Fox is to have Sir William Irby’S place,(791) and be chamberlain to the Princess; that my Lord Bute is to be divorced and marry Princess Emily; and that my Lord Darlington is to be first minister.  Others say, that the Duke of Newcastle is to be sole minister, having broken with Mr. Pitt; that Sir Thomas Robinson is to be again secretary of state; Sir George Lee chancellor of the exchequer, and Mr. Fox paymaster, but with no place in the cabinet, nor any power.  I believe the Duke himself has said this; but, as I think the former establishment would be the less ridiculous of the two, I intend to believe that.

I send you your tickets and a curious new print.  The blue riband in the corner, and the line that explains it, but leaves it still in the dark, makes much noise.  I choose to think it my Lord Lincoln, for, having a tenderness for royalties, I will not suppose, as most do, that it points higher.  The rest are certainly admirable:  the times are very entertaining; one cannot complain that no Wit is stirring, as one used to do.  I never thought I should feel glad for the death of poor Mr. Pelham; but really it has opened such scenes of amusement, that I begin to bear it better than I did.  I rejoice to hear that your brother is accommodated, though not by my means.  The Duke of Bedford might have reflected, that what I asked was a very trifle, or that I should never have asked it; nay, that if I could have asked a favour of consequence, I should not have applied to himself, but to those who govern him,—­to the Duchess and Rigby.

I certainly am glad of rain, but could wish it was boiled a little over the sun first:  Mr. Bentley calls this the hard summer, and says he is forced to buy his fine weather at Newcastle.  Adieu!

P. S. Pray acknowledge the receipt of your tickets.  I don’t know how you came not to see the advertisements of Xo Ho, which have been in continually; four editions were published in twelve days.

(791) Vice-chamberlain to the Princess of wales.

378 Letter 222
To Sir Horace Mann. 
Arlington Street, June 9, 1757.