ARLINGTON STREET, _Jan._ 18, 1764.
Shall I tell you of all our crowds, and balls, and embroideries? Don't I
grow too old to describe drawing-rooms? Surely I do, when I find myself
too old to go into them. I forswore puppet-shows at the last
coronation, and have kept my word to myself. However, being bound by a
prior vow, to keep up the acquaintance between you and your own country,
I will show you, what by the way I have not seen myself, the Prince of
Brunswick. He arrived at Somerset House last Friday evening; at
Chelmsford a quaker walked into the room, _did_ pull off his hat, and
said, "Friend, my religion forbids me to fight, but I honour those that
fight well." The Prince, though he does not speak English, understands
it enough to be pleased with the compliment. He received another, very
flattering. As he went next morning to St. James's, he spied in the
crowd one of Elliot's light-horse and kissed his hand to the man.
"What!" said the populace, "does he know you?" "Yes," replied the man;
"he once led me into a scrape, which nothing but himself could have
brought me out of again." You may guess how much this added to the
Prince's popularity, which was at high-water mark before.
When he had visited the King and Queen, he went to the Princess Dowager
at Leicester House, and saw his mistress. He is very _galant_, and
professes great satisfaction in his fortune, for he had not even seen
her picture. He carries his good-breeding so far as to declare he would
have returned unmarried, if she had not pleased him. He has had levées
and dinners at Somerset House; to the latter, company was named for him.
On Monday evening they were married by the Archbishop in the great
drawing-room, with little ceremony; supped, and lay at Leicester House.
Yesterday morning was a drawing-room at St. James's, and a ball at
night; both repeated to-day, for the Queen's birthday. On Thursday they
go to the play; on Friday the Queen gives them a ball and dinner at her
house; on Saturday they dine with the Princess at Kew, and return for
the Opera; and on Wednesday--why, they make their bow and curtsy, and
sail.
The Prince has pleased everybody; his manner is thought sensible and
engaging; his person slim, genteel, and handsome enough; that is, not at
all handsome, but martial, agreeably weather-worn. I should be able to
swear to all this on Saturday, when I intend to see him; but, alas! the
post departs on Friday, and, however material my testimony may be, he
must want it.
_GAMBLING QUARRELS--MR. CONWAY'S SPEECH._