down the walls, and another party surrounded the garden, where there were but fifty men on guard, and had forced their way, if another party of Guards that had been sent for had arrived five minutes later.  At last, after reading the proclamation, the gates of the court were thrown open, and sixty foot-soldiers marched out; the mob fled, but, being met by a party of horse, were much cut and trampled, but no lives lost.  Lady Tavistock, and every thing valuable in the house, have been sent out of town.  On Saturday, all was pretty quiet; the Duchess was blooded, and every body went to visit them.  I hesitated, being afraid of an air of triumph:  -however, lest it should be construed the other way, I went last night at eight o’clock; in the square I found a great multitude, not of weavers, but seemingly of Sunday-passengers.  At the gate, guarded by grenadiers, I found so large a throng, that I had not only difficulty to make my way, though in my chariot, but was hissed and pelted; and in two minutes after, the glass of Lady Grosvenor’s coach was broken, as those of Lady Cork’s chair were entirely demolished afterwards.  I found Bedford-house a perfect garrison, sustaining a siege, the court full of horse-guards, constables, and gentlemen.  I told the Duke that however I might happen to differ with him in politics, this was a common cause, and that every body must feel equal indignation at it.  In the mean time the mob grew so riotous, that they were forced to make both horse and foot parade the square before the tumult was dispersed.

To-morrow we expect much worse.  The weavers have declared they will come down to the House of Lords for redress, which they say they have been promised.  A body of five hundred sailors were on the road from Portsmouth to join them, but luckily the admiralty had notice of their intention, and stopped them.(829) A large body of weavers are on the road from Norwich, and it is said have been joined by numbers in Essex; guards are posted to prevent, if possible, their approaching the city.  Another troop of manufacturers are coming from Manchester; and what is worst of’ all, there is such a general spirit of mutiny and dissatisfaction in the lower people, that I think we are in danger of a rebellion in the heart of the capital in a week.  In the mean time, there is neither administration nor government.  The King is out of town, and this is the crisis in which Mr. Pitt, who could stop every evil, chooses to be more unreasonable than ever.(830)

Mr. Craufurd, whom you have seen at the Duchess of Grafton’s, carries this, or I should not venture being so explicit.  Wherever the storm may break out at first, I think Lord Bute cannot escape his share of it.  The Bedfords may triumph over him, the Princess, and still higher, if they are fortunate enough to avoid the present ugly appearances; and yet how the load of odium will be increased, if they return to power!  One can name many in whose situation one would not be,-not one who is not situated unpleasantly.