counsel for Sir George Vandeput, Gibson, an upholsterer and independent, and Mr. Murray.(217) These three were ordered to attend on the following Thursday to defend themselves.  Before that day came, we had the report on the eight thousand seamen, when Pitt and his associates made speeches of lamentation on their disagreement with Pelham, whom they flattered inordinately.  This ended in a burlesque quarrel between Pitt and Hampden,(218) a buffoon who hates the cousinhood, and thinks his name should entitle him to Pitt’s office.  We had a very long day on Crowle’s defence, who had called the power of the House brutum fulmen:  he was very submissive, and was dismissed with a reprimand on his knees.  Lord Egmont was so severely handled by Fox, that he has not recovered his spirits since.  He used to cry up Fox against Mr. Pelham, but since the former has seemed rather attached to the Duke and the Duke of Bedford, the party affect to heap incense on Pelham and Pitt—­and it is returned.

The day that Murray came to the bar he behaved with great confidence, but at last desired counsel, which was granted:  in the mean time we sent Gibson to Newgate.  Last Wednesday was the day of trial:  the accusation was plentifully proved against Murray, and it was voted to send him close prisoner to Newgate.  His party still struggling against the term close, the Whigs grew provoked, and resolved he should receive his sentence on his knees at the bar.  To this he refused to submit.  The Speaker stormed, and the House and its honour grew outrageous at the dilemma they were got into, and indeed out of which we are not got yet.  If he gets the better, he will indeed be a meritorious martyr for the cause:  en attendant, he is strictly shut up in Newgate.(219)

By these anecdotes you will be able to judge a little of the news you mention in your last, of January 29th, and will perceive that our ministerial vacancies and successions are not likely to be determined soon.  Niccolini’s account of the aversion to Lord Sandwich is well grounded, though as to inflexible resentments, there cannot easily be any such thing, where parties and factions are so fluctuating as in this country.  I was to have dined the other day at Madame de Mirepoix’s with my Lord Bolingbroke, but he was ill.  She said, she had repented asking me, as she did not know if I should like it. , Oh!  Madam, I have gone through too many of those things to make any objection to the only one that remains!”

I grieve much for the return of pains in your head and breast; I flattered myself that you had quite mastered them.