at the same time, which is thought a symptom of their not meaning to resist.  It certainly is not Mr. Pitt’s fault if we have not great success; and if we have, it is certainly owing to him.  The French talk of invading us; I hope they will not come quite so near either to victory or defeat, as to land on our Martinico!  But you are going to have a war of your own.  Pray send me all your gazettes extraordinary.  I wish the King of Sardinia’s heroism may not be grown a little rusty.  Time was when he was the only King in Europe that had fought in his waistcoat; but now the King of Prussia has almost made it part of their coronation oath.  Apropos, pray remember that the Emperor’s pavilion is not the Emperor’s pavillon; though you are so far in the right, that he may have a pavilion, but I don’t conceive how he comes by a pavillon.  What Tuscan colours has he, unless a streamer upon the belfry at Leghorn?  You was so deep in politics when you wrote your last letter, that it was almost in cipher, and as I don’t happen to have a key to bad writing, I could not read a word that interests my vanity extremely-I unravelled enough to learn that a new governor(1012) of Milan is a great admirer of me, but I could not guess at one syllable of his name, and it is very uncomfortable in a dialogue between one’s pride and oneself, to be forced to talk of Governor What-d’ye-call-em, who has so good a taste.  I think you never can have a more important occasion for despatching a courier than to tell me Governor — -’s name.  In the mean time, don’t give him any more Strawberry editions; of some I print very few, they are all begged immediately, and then you will not have a complete set, as I wish you to have, notwithstanding all my partiality for the governor of Milan.  Perhaps, upon the peace I may send him a set richly bound!  I am a little more serious in what I am going to say; you will oblige me if at your leisure you will pick up for me all or any little historical tracts that relate to the house of Medici.  I have some distant thoughts of writing their history, and at the peace may probably execute what you know I have long retained in my wish, another journey to Florence.  Stosch, I think, had great collections relating to them; would they sell a separate part of his library?  Could I get at any state letters and papers there?  Do think of this; I assure you I do Thank you for the trouble you have taken about the Neapolitan books, and for the medals that are coming.

Colonel Campbell and the Duchess of Hamilton are married.  My sister(1013) who was at the Opera last Tuesday, and went from thence to a great ball at the Duke of Bridgewater’s, where she stayed till three in the morning, was brought to bed in less than four hours afterwards of a fifth boy:  she has had two girls, too, and I believe left it entirely to this child to choose what it would be.  Adieu! my dear Sir.

(1012) Count Firmian, who understood English, and was fond of English authors.  Sir Horace Mann had given him the Royal and Noble Authors.