of several Virginia ships. I fear people
will begin to think that nothing thrives under this Ministry: and if the
Ministry can once be rendered odious to the people, the Parliament may
be chosen Whig or Tory as the Queen pleases. Then I think our friends
press a little too hard on the Duke of Marlborough. The country
members(12) are violent to have past faults inquired into, and they have
reason; but I do not observe the Ministry to be very fond of it. In my
opinion we have nothing to save us but a Peace; and I am sure we cannot
have such a one as we hoped; and then the Whigs will bawl what they
would have done had they continued in power. I tell the Ministry this
as much as I dare; and shall venture to say a little more to them,
especially about the Duke of Marlborough, who, as the Whigs give out,
will lay down his command; and I question whether ever any wise State
laid aside a general who had been successful nine years together, whom
the enemy so much dread, and his own soldiers cannot but believe must
always conquer; and you know that in war opinion is nine parts in
ten. The Ministry hear me always with appearance of regard, and much
kindness; but I doubt they let personal quarrels mingle too much with
their proceedings. Meantime, they seem to value all this as nothing,
and are as easy and merry as if they had nothing in their hearts or upon
their shoulders; like physicians, who endeavour to cure, but feel no
grief, whatever the patient suffers.--Pshaw, what is all this? Do you
know one thing, that I find I can write politics to you much easier
than to anybody alive? But I swear my head is full; and I wish I were at
Laracor, with dear, charming MD, etc.

8. Morning. Methinks, young women, I have made a great progress in four
days, at the bottom of this side already, and no letter yet come from
MD (that word interlined is morning). I find I have been writing State
affairs to MD. How do they relish it? Why, anything that comes from
Presto is welcome; though really, to confess the truth, if they had
their choice, not to disguise the matter, they had rather, etc. Now,
Presto, I must tell you, you grow silly, says Stella. That is but one
body's opinion, madam. I promised to be with Mr. Secretary St. John this
morning; but I am lazy, and will not go, because I had a letter from
him yesterday, to desire I would dine there to-day. I shall be chid;
but what care I?--Here has been Mrs. South with me, just come from Sir
Andre