Dropmore, Aug. 14th, 1796.
MY DEAREST BROTHER,
I was extremely sorry to hear so indifferent an account of your
health, but I hope the worst of the attack is now over. I return
you the letter from this unfortunate King, whose restoration to the
throne of his ancestors is now, at least, as remote as that of
Charles II. ever was--I fear, indeed, a great deal more so. I have
heard no more particulars of the attempt to assassinate him, than
the account which the Duke de Harcourt showed me, and which was the
same which they afterwards put into the newspapers.
The Prince of Hohenlohe's language has always had a leaning to the
side of Austria and England; but long experience has satisfied me
that, from a Prussian General, language of this sort means no more
than to describe to which party in the Berlin politics he may
happen to be inclined. We have, however, now made a last effort to
ascertain this point, but with very little expectation of success.
I do not wonder that the Navy should wish for a Spanish war, nor
that they should be the only set of men in England who do so. I
trust it may still be avoided, though the result is certainly very
doubtful when treating with such a Court. The distribution of our
limited number of sailors, into ships of the line and frigate
force, is a very nice and delicate question; but as far as I can
flatter myself that I understand it--which is not very much--I have
always inclined more to the latter, and I think the experience of
this war is in favour of that opinion. The same circumstances would
surely operate still more strongly in the case of a war with Spain,
whose commerce offers more _prise_ than that of France, and whose
line-of-battle force, even separately--and still more if united
with French ships--can never be put in competition with ours, ship
for ship, or anything approaching to it.
There is an account of a successful _sortie_ from Mantua, in which
the French have lost fifteen hundred men; but I do not yet know the
particulars, the despatches being gone to Weymouth. The Archduke is
at Donawert, or at least looking to that position, which is a
strong one, if his army was not dispirited. The reinforcement sent
to Italy has hitherto operated very fatally upon the campaign. It
remains to be seen what effect it will produce against Buonaparte's
army. But it is evidently too late to prevent the plunder of
Italy--the great object of that expedition.
Ever, my dear brother,
Most truly and affectionately yours,
G.
Pray let me remind you of the sheep; though just now my pastures
look rather brown, and will, I fear, give them a bad impression of
the fare which they will have.