404 Letter 246 To George Montagu, Esq.  Arlington Street, Oct 18, 1757.

You never begged news at a worse time; for though I should tell you much, I have neither time nor inclination, This sounds brusque, but I will explain it.  With regard to the expedition, I am so far easy about Mr. Conway that he will appear with great honour, but it is not pleasant to hear him complicated with others in the mean time.  He cannot speak till forced.  In short, there are twenty delicacies not for a letter.  The big event is, the Duke’s resignation.  He is not so patient as Mr. Conway under unmerited reproach, and has thrown up every thing, regiment and all.  You and I wish for a Fronde, but I don’t expect one.  At worst it will produce M`emoires de la Fronde.  I rejoice that all your family is well, and beg my compliments to them.  For this time you must excuse a very short letter; I am only in town for this evening to meet Mr. Conway, and I snatch a moment, that you might not think me neglectful of you, which I certainly never will be.  Adieu!

404 Letter 247 To Sir Horace Mann.  Arlington Street, Oct. 24, 1757.

It is impossible not to write to you upon the great event(841) that has happened, and yet it is difficult to know how to write upon it.  Considering your situation, it is improper to make harsh comments:  Europe, I suppose, will not be so delicate.  Our ministers have kept the article out of our own papers; but they have as little power over foreign gazettes, as weight with foreign powers.  In short, the Duke is arrived, was very ill received, and without that, would have done, what he did immediately, resign all his commissions.  He does not, like his brother,(842) go into opposition.  He is even to make his Usual appearances.  He treated Munchausen,(843) who had taken great liberties with his name, with proper severity—­I measure my words extremely, not for my own sake, but yours.

General Mordaunt has demanded an inquiry.  The form is not settled yet; nor can it be soon, as Sir Edward Hawke is gone upon a cruise with the fleet.  I put a quick end to this letter; I have no more facts to tell you; reflections you will make yourself.  In the uncertainty of this reaching you, it is better to say no more.  Adieu!

(841) The Duke of Cumberland’s resignation of the command of the army.

(842) Frederick Prince of wales.

(843) The minister for Hanover.

405 Letter 248
To Sir Horace Mann. 
Arlington Street, Nov. 20, 1757.

I do not like to find that our correspondence is certainly deranged.  I have received but one letter from you for a great while; it is of October 8th, and complaining on your side too.  You say my last was Sept. 3d.  Since that I wrote on the 29th, on the 13th, and 24th of last month.  I have omitted a month, waiting to see if you got my letters, and to have something decisive to tell you.  Neither has happened, and