much more Boscawened; that is surely in the deepest shade.  The wind has blown so constantly west for nearly three weeks, that we have not only received no mails from the continent, but the transports have been detained in the Downs, and the secret expedition has remained at anchor.  I have prayed it might continue, but the wind has got to the east to-day.  Having never been prejudiced in favour of this exploit, what must I think of it when the French have had such long notice?

We had a torrent of bad news yesterday from America, Lord Loudon has found an army of twenty-one thousand French, gives over the design on Louisbourg, and retires to Halifax.  Admiral Holbourn writes, that they have nineteen ships to his seventeen, and he cannot attack them.  It is time for England to slip her own cables, and float away into some unknown ocean!

Between disgraces and an inflammation in my eyes, it is time to conclude my letter.  My eyes I have certainly weakened with using them too much at night.  I went the other day to Scarlet’s to buy green spectacles; he was mighty assiduous to give me a pair that would not tumble my hair.  “Lord!  Sir,” said I, “when one is come to wear spectacles, what signifies how one looks?”

I hope soon to add another volume to your packet from my press.  I shall now only print for presents; or to talk in a higher style, I shall only give my Louvre editions to privy-councillors and foreign ministers.  Apropos! there is a book of this sacred sort which I wish I could by your means procure:  it is the account, with plates, of what has been found at Herculaneum.  You may promise the King of Naples in return all my editions.  Adieu! my dear Sir.

Sept. 4.

I had sealed this up, and was just sending it to London, when I received yours of the 13th of this month.  I am charmed with the success of your campaign at Leghorn-a few such generals or ministers would give a revulsion to our affairs.

You frighten me with telling me of innumerable copies taken of my inscription on the Pope’s picture:  some of our bear-leaders will pick it up, send it over, and I shall have the horror of seeing it in a magazine.  Though I had no scruple of sending the good old man a cordial, I should hate to have it published at the tail of a newspaper, like a testimonial from one of Dr. Rock’s patients!  You talk of the Pope’s enemies; who are they?  I thought at most he could have none but at our bonfires on the fifth of November.

(820) In Kent, the seat of Edward Louisa Mann, brother of sir Horace.

(821) Sister of Sir Horace.

(822) Horace, only son of Galfridus Mann.

(823) Thomas. afterwards Lord Pelham.

(824) Sir Joseph Yorke, K. B. third son of the chancellor Hardwicke:  created Lord Dover in 1788, and died without issue in 1792.-E.

(825) Afterwards second Earl of Hardwicke.-D.

395 Letter 238
To George Montagu, Esq. 
Strawberry Hill, Sept. 8, 1757.