MY DEAR FRIEND: I received but four days ago your letter of the 2d
instant. I find by it that you are well, for you are in good spirits.
Your notion of the new birth or regeneration of the Ministry is a very
just one; and that they have not yet the true seal of the covenant is, I
dare say, very true; at least it is not in the possession of either of
the Secretaries of State, who have only the King’s seal; nor do I believe
(whatever his Grace may imagine) that it is even in the possession of the
Lord Privy Seal. I own I am lost, in considering the present situation of
affairs; different conjectures present themselves to my mind, but none
that it can rest upon. The next session must necessarily clear up matters
a good deal; for I believe it will be the warmest and most acrimonious
one that has been known, since that of the Excise. The late Ministry, THE
PRESENT OPPOSITION, are determined to attack Lord B-----publicly in
parliament, and reduce the late Opposition, THE PRESENT MINISTRY, to
protect him publicly, in consequence of their supposed treaty with him.
‘En attendant mieux’, the paper war is carried on with much fury and
scurrility on all sides, to the great entertainment of such lazy and
impartial people as myself: I do not know whether you have the “Daily
Advertiser,” and the “Public Advertiser,” in which all political letters
are inserted, and some very well-written ones on both sides; but I know
that they amuse me, ‘tant bien que mal’, for an hour or two every
morning. Lord T------is the supposed author of the pamphlet you mention;
but I think it is above him. Perhaps his brother C----T------, who is by
no means satisfied with the present arrangement, may have assisted him
privately. As to this latter, there was a good ridiculous paragraph in
the newspapers two or three days ago. WE HEAR THAT THE RIGHT HONORABLE
MR. C-----T------IS INDISPOSED AT HIS HOUSE IN OXFORDSHIRE, OF A PAIN IN
HIS SIDE; BUT IT IS NOT SAID IN WHICH SIDE.
I do not find that the Duke of York has yet visited you; if he should, it
may be expensive, ‘mais on trouvera moyen’. As for the lady, if you
should be very sharp set for some English flesh, she has it amply in her
power to supply you if she pleases. Pray tell me in your next, what you
think of, and how you like, Prince Henry of Prussia. God bless you!