I desire you would be very particular.
What I mean is an exact list of all the religions in Great Britain,
as likewise the habits, which are said here to be the great points
of conscience in England, whether they are made of serge or
broadcloth, of silk or linen. I should be glad to see a model of
the most conscientious dress amongst you, and desire you would
send me a hat of each religion; as likewise, if it be not too much
trouble, a cravat. It would also be very acceptable here to receive
an account of those two religious orders which are lately sprung up
amongst you, the Whigs and the Tories, with the points of doctrine,
severities in discipline, penances, mortifications, and good works,
by which they differ one from another. It would be no less kind if
you would explain to us a word which they do not understand even at
our English monastery toasts, and let us know whether the ladies so
called are nuns or lay-sisters.

"In return, I will send you the secret history of several
cardinals, which I have by me in manuscript, with gallantries,
amours, politics, and intrigues, by which they made their way to
the Holy Purple.

"But when I propose a correspondence, I must not tell you what I
intend to advise you of hereafter, and neglect to give you what I
have at present. The Pope has been sick for this fortnight of a
violent toothache, which has very much raised the French faction,
and put the conclave into a great ferment. Every one of the
pretenders to the succession is grown twenty years older than he
was a fortnight ago. Each candidate tries who shall cough and stoop
most; for these are at present the great gifts that recommend to
the apostolical seat, which he stands the fairest for, who is
likely to resign it the soonest. I have known the time when it used
to rain louis-d'ors on such occasions; but whatever is the matter,
there are very few of them to be seen at present at Rome, insomuch
that it is thought a man might purchase infallibility at a very
reasonable rate. It is nevertheless hoped that his Holiness may
recover, and bury these his imaginary successors.

"There has lately been found a human tooth in a catacomb, which has
engaged a couple of convents in a lawsuit; each of them pretending
that it belonged to the jawbone of a saint