I know not what to say of war.  The Toulon squadron was certainly blown back.  That of Brest is supposed to be destined to invade some part of this country or Ireland; or rather, it is probable, will attempt our fleet.  In my own opinion, there is no great alacrity in France—­I mean, in the Court of France—­for war; and, as we have had time for great preparations, their eagerness will not increase.  We shall suffer as much as they can desire by the loss of America, without their risk, and in a few years shall be able to give them no umbrage; especially as our frenzy is still so strong, that, if France left us at quiet, I am persuaded we should totally exhaust ourselves in pursuing the vision of reconquest.  Spain continues to disclaim hostility as you told me.  If the report is true of revolts in Mexico, they would be as good as a bond under his Catholic Majesty’s hand.

We shall at least not doze, as we are used to do, in summer.  The Parliament is to have only short adjournments; and our senators, instead of retiring to horse-races (their plough), are all turned soldiers, and disciplining militia.  Camps everywhere, and the ladies in the uniform of their husbands!  In short, if the dose is not too strong, a little adversity would not be quite unseasonable.—­A little! you will cry; why what do you call the loss of America?  Oh! my dear sir, do you think a capital as enormous as London has its nerves affected by what happens beyond the Atlantic?  What has become of all your reading?  There is nothing so unnatural as the feelings of a million of persons who live together in one city.  They have not one conception like those in villages and in the country.  They presume or despond from quite different motives.  They have both more sense and less, than those who are not in contact with a multitude.  Wisdom forms empires, but folly dissolves them; and a great capital, which dictates to the rest of the community, is always the last to perceive the decays of the whole, because it takes its own greatness for health.

Lord Holdernesse is dead; not quite so considerable a personage as he once expected to be, though Nature never intended him for anything that he was.  The Chancellor, another child of Fortune, quits the Seals; and they are, or are to be, given to the Attorney-General, Thurlow, whom nobody will reproach with want of abilities.

As the Parliament will rise on Tuesday, you will not expect my letters so frequently as of late, especially if hostilities do not commence.  In fact, our newspapers tell you everything faster than I can:  still I write, because you have more faith in my intelligence; yet all its merit consists in my not telling you fables.  I hear no more than everybody does, but I send you only what is sterling; or, at least, give you reports for no more than they are worth.  I believe Sir John Dick is much more punctual, and hears more; but, till you displace me, I shall execute my office of being your gazetteer.