and more, the other night, and it was to have been
paid to him the next morning. I sent immediately to Gregg, and it
was my design to have carried your bond to Brooks, who should have
intercepted the 1,000 for his own use, and then I should have
applied the same sum afterwards to the tradesmen; but he was too
quick for me, and set (sat) up and lost it and more to Lord
Stavordale. I know that he could have pleaded his debt to Lord
Cholmondly, and to Brooks himself, &c., neither of whom probably
would have received a groat; but that matter is over for the
present. However, Brooks has promised me that (sic), if any event of
this kind happens again, to avail himself of it, for your
convenience.

I have taken the liberty to talk a good deal to Lord Stavordale,
partly for his own sake and partly for yours, and pressed him much
to get out of town as soon as possible, and not quit Lord Ilchester
any more. His attention there cannot be of long duration, and his
absence may be fatal to us all. I painted it in very strong colours,
and he has promised me to go, as soon as this Sedgmoor Bill is
reported. I moved to have Tuesday fixed for it. We had a debate and
division upon my motion, and this Bill will at last not go down so
glibly as Bully hoped that it would. It will meet with more
opposition in the H(ouse) of Lords, and Lord North being adverse to
it, does us no good. Lord Ilchester gets, it is said, 5,000 pounds a
year by it, and amongst others Sir C. Tynte something, who, for what
reason I cannot yet comprehend, opposes it.

The comparison of me to Arlequin, I allow to be in a great measure
just. The events have frequently called his (sic) to my mind. But I
beseech you do not say that you do not desire to hinder me from a
favourite amusement. If it was an innocent one also, passe; but it
is not only dangerous, but in its consequences criminal, and there
is no dependence upon any one man breathing, who pursues it with the
chaleur which I have done. How can I expect another man to trust me,
if I cannot trust myself?

Therefore, although March has dissolved the tie,(129) I beg that you
will lay me under some sort of restriction about it. I do not speak
this from having now suffered, for I have not, as I told you before,
since March last; that is, by the event. But I have been susceptible
(since?) then more than once, and it has been my good fortune and
not my prudence which has kept me above water.

What I propose is, to