[Footnote 1:  The design of invading England, first conceived by Philip II. of Spain and the Duke of Parma, had been entertained also by Louis XIV.; and after Walpole’s death ostentatious preparations for such an expedition were made in 1805 by Napoleon.  But some years afterwards Napoleon told Metternich, the Austrian Prime Minister, that he had never really designed to undertake the enterprise, being convinced of the impossibility of succeeding in it, and that the sole object of his preparations and of the camp at Boulogne had been to throw Austria off her guard.]

[Footnote 2:  The Duc de Noailles had been the French Commander-in-chief at the battle of Dettingen in 1743.]

I can conceive another reason why France should not choose to venture an invasion.  It is certain that at least five American provinces wish for peace with us.  Nor can I think that thirteen English provinces would be pleased at seeing England invaded.  Any considerable blow received by us, would turn their new allies into haughty protectors.  Should we accept a bad peace, America would find her treaty with them a very bad one:  in short, I have treated you with speculations instead of facts.  I know but one of the latter sort.  The King’s army has evacuated Philadelphia, from having eaten up the country, and has returned to New York.  Thus it is more compact, and has less to defend.

General Howe is returned, richer in money than laurels.  I do not know, indeed, that his wealth is great.

Fanaticism in a nation is no novelty; but you must know, that, though the effects were so solid, the late appearance of enthusiasm about Lord Chatham was nothing but a general affectation of enthusiasm.  It was a contention of hypocrisy between the Opposition and the Court, which did not last even to his burial.  Not three of the Court attended it, and not a dozen of the Minority of any note.  He himself said, between his fall in the House of Lords and his death, that, when he came to himself, not one of his old acquaintance of the Court but Lord Despencer so much as asked how he did.  Do you imagine people are struck with the death of a man, who were not struck with the sudden appearance of his death?  We do not counterfeit so easily on a surprise, as coolly; and, when we are cool on surprise, we do not grow agitated on reflection.

The last account I heard from Germany was hostile.  Four days ago both the Imperial and Prussian Ministers[1] expected news of a battle.  O, ye fathers of your people, do you thus dispose of your children?  How many thousand lives does a King save, who signs a peace!  It was said in jest of our Charles II., that he was the real father of his people, so many of them did he beget himself.  But tell me, ye divines, which is the most virtuous man, he who begets twenty bastards, or he who sacrifices a hundred thousand lives?  What a contradiction is human nature!  The Romans rewarded the man who got three children, and laid waste the world.  When will the world know that peace and propagation are the two most delightful things in it?  As his Majesty of France has found out the latter, I hope he will not forget the former.