(796) Resident from Florence.  He was here for fifty years, and said he had seen London twice built.  This meant, that houses are run up so slightly that they last but few years.

(797) the King of Prussia had been completely beaten at Kolin by the Austrians, commanded by Count Daun, on the 17th of June.  He was in consequence obliged to retreat from Bohemia, and soon found himself, surrounded as he was by increasing and advancing enemies, in one of the most critical positions of his whole military life.  From this he at length extricated himself, by means of the victories of Rosbach and Lissa.-D.

(798) Afterwards created Lord Henley, and made lord chancellor, and finally elevated to be Earl of Northington-D.

383 Letter 226 To The Earl Of Strafford.  Strawberry Hill, July 4, 1757.

My dear Lord, It is well I have not obeyed you sooner, as I have often been going to do.- what a heap of lies and contradictions I should have sent you!  What joint ministries and sole ministries!  What acceptances and resignations!—­Viziers and bowstrings never succeeded one another quicker.  Luckily I have stayed till we have got an administration that will last a little more than for ever.  There is such content and harmony in it, that I don’t know whether it is not as perfect as a plan which I formed for Charles Stanhope, after he had plagued me for two days for news.  I told him the Duke of Newcastle was to take orders, and have the reversion of the bishopric of Winchester; that Mr. Pitt was to have a regiment, and go over to the Duke; and Mr. Fox to be chamberlain to the Princess, in the room of Sir William Irby.  Of all the new system I believe the happiest is Offley; though in great humility he says he only takes the bedchamber to accommodate.  Next to him in joy is the Earl of Holderness—­who has not got the garter.  My Lord Waldegrave has; and the garter by this time I believe has got fifty spots.(799)

Had I written sooner, I should have told your lordship, too, of the King of Prussia’s triumphs-but they are addled too!  I hoped to have had a few bricks from Prague to send you towards building Mr. Bentley’s design, but I fear none will come from thence this summer.  Thank God, the happiness of the menagerie does not depend upon administrations or victories!  The happiest of beings in this part of the world is my Lady Suffolk:  I really think her acquisition and conclusion of her lawsuit will lengthen her life ten years.  You may be sure I am not so satisfied, as Lady Mary(800) has left Sudbroke.  Are your charming lawns burnt up like our humble hills?  Is your sweet river as low as our deserted Thames?—­I am wishing for a handful or two of those floods that drowned me last year all the way from Wentworth Castle.  I beg my best compliments to my lady, and my best wishes that every pheasant egg and peacock egg may produce as many colours as a harlequin-jacket.