murmurs hush'd--the Herald straight proclaim'd
S-l-n the witty next in order nam'd,
But he was gone to hear the dismal yells
Of tortur'd Ghosts and suffering Criminals,
Tho' summoned thrice, he chose not to return,
Charmed to behold the crackling Culprits burn
With George all know Ambition must give place
When there's an Execution in the case." (pp. 3 and 17.)

(1777, Aug.) . . .. I am convinced that I shall be free some time
hence from that agitation of mind with which I am now so tormented,
and from those almost constant sinkings of my spirits; but, my dear
Lord, you may be quite assured that des plaies comme les miennes ne
se referment fas bientot, and when they do they have altered the
whole constitution of the mind to such a degree as never to let it
feel as it did before. But brisons la.

Mr. D'Oyley tells me that no important news is likely to come from
America before the 20th of this month. Lady Cornwallis told me
yesterday she expected some much sooner. Mr. D'Oyley's picture of
affairs was not a joyous one, but he gave an infinitely better
account of them to me than I have had from anybody else.

The Opposition affects great spirits, and to be sanguine about a
change of men and of measures. Je n'en crois rien. Charles said last
night if I would give him five guineas he would give me 100 if I
lost my place. He must get one himself to justify my accepting the
proposal. The match of tennis stark naked was not played, which I am
sorry for. Another red Ribbon vacant, Sir C. Montagu. Clinton
anticipated that which Lord Inchiquin had.

I saw Horry W(alpole) yesterday for a few minutes; his distresses
are, Lord O(rford's) lunacy, and the Duchess of Gloucester's
situation if his R(oyal) H(ighness) dies, who will probably come and
die in his own country. I wish these were mine, and I had no other,
but we cannot choose our own misfortunes; if we could, there is
nobody who would not prefer being concerned for a mad nephew whom
they did not care for, or a simple Princess whom they would laugh
at, si l'orgueil ne s'en meloit pas.

The great rendezvous of the White's people has been at my Lord
Cadogan's, as that of the Macaroni's at Lord Egremont's. Adieu pour
aujourd'hui; I need not conclude, as this letter does not go till
Tuesday.

Monday morning.--At Almack's last night:
Duke of Grafton, Lord Egremont, Jack Townsh(en)d, W. Hanger, Lord
March, Varcy, Barker, Hare, 2 Craufurds, Thompson, Lord
North[in