Why Taylor the quack calls himself Chevalier,
’Tis not easy a reason to render;
Unless he would own, what his practice makes clear,
That at best he is but a Pretender.

465 Letter 293
To George Montagu, Esq. 
Arlington Street, Nov. 26, 1758.

How can you make me formal excuses for sending me a few covers to frank?  Have you so little right to any act of friendship from me, that you should apologize for making me do what is scarce any act at all?  However, your man has not called for the covers, although they have been ready this fortnight.

I shall be very glad to see your brother in town, but I cannot quite take him in full of payment.  I trust you will stay the longer for coming the later.  There is not a syllable of news.  The Parliament is met, but empty and totally oppositionless.  Your great Cu moved in the lords, but did not shine much.  The great Cu of all Cues is out of order, not in danger, but certainly breaking.

My eyes are performing such a strict quarantine, that you must excuse my brevity.  Adieu.

465 Letter 294 To Sir Horace Mann.  Arlington Street, Nov. 27, 1758.

it seems strange that at this time of the year, with armies still in the field and Parliaments in town, I should have had nothing to tell you for above a month—­yet so it was.  The King caught cold on coming to town, and was very ill,(977) but the gout, which had never been at court above twice in his reign, came, seized his foot a little, and has promised him at least five or six years more—­that is, if he will take care of himself; but yesterday, the coldest day we have felt, he would go into the drawing-room, as if he was fond of showing the new stick @e is forced to walk with.

The Parliament is all harmony, and thinks of nothing but giving away twelve more millions.  Mr. Pitt made the most artful speech he ever made:  provoked, called for, defied objections; promised enormous expense, demanded never to be judged by events.  Universal silence left him arbiter of his own terms.  In short, at present he is absolute master, and if he can coin twenty millions may command them.  He does every thing, the Duke of Newcastle gives every thing.  As long as they can agree in this partition, they may do what they will.

We have been in great anxiety for twenty-four hours to learn the fate of Dresden, and of the King of resources, as Mr. Beckford called the King of Prussia the other day.  We heard that while he was galloped to raise the siege of Neiss, Marshal Daun was advanced to Dresden; that Schmettau had sent to know if he meant to attack it, having orders to burn the Fauxbourgs and defend it street by street; that Daun not deigning a reply, the Conflagration had been put in execution; that the King was posting back, and Dohna advancing to join him.  We expect to hear either of the demolition of the city, or of a bloody decision fought under the walls—­an account is just arrived