I have nothing to subjoin to this high-flown paragraph, that will at all keep pace with the majesty of it.  I should have left to the Gazette to wish you joy, nor have begun a new letter without more materials, if I did not fear you would be still uneasy about your nephew.  I hear he has, since his parenthesis, voted again with the Court; therefore he has probably not taken a new part, but only made a Pindaric transition on a particular question.  I have seen him but twice since his arrival, and from both those visits I had no reason to expect he would act differently from what you wished.  Perhaps it may never happen again.  I go so little into the world, that I don’t at all know what company he frequents.  He talked so reasonably and tenderly with regard to you, that I shall be much deceived if he often gives you any inquietude.

The place of Secretary of State is not replenished yet.  Several different successors have been talked of.  At least, at present, there is a little chance of its being supplied by the Opposition.  Their numbers have fallen off again, though they are more alert than they used to be.  I do not love to foretell, because no Elijah left me his mantle, in which, it seems, the gift of prophecy resides; and, if I see clouds gathering, I less care to announce their contents to foreign post-offices.  On the other hand, it is no secret, nor one to disguise if it were, that the French trade must suffer immensely by our captures.

Private news I know none.  The Bishops are trying to put a stop to one staple commodity of that kind, Adultery.  I do not suppose that they expect to lessen it; but, to be sure, it was grown to a sauciness that did call for a decenter veil.  I do not think they have found out a good cure; and I am of opinion, too, that flagrancy proceeds from national depravity, which tinkering one branch will not remedy.  Perhaps polished manners are a better proof of virtue in an age than of vice, though system-makers do not hold so:  at least, decency has seldom been the symptom of a sinking nation.

When one talks on general themes, it is a sign of having little to say.  It is not that there is a dearth of topics; but I only profess sending you information on events that really have happened, to guide you towards forming a judgment.  At home, we are fed with magnificent hopes and promises that are never realized.  For instance, to prove discord in America, Monsieur de la Fayette[1] was said to rail at the Congress, and their whole system and transactions.  There is just published an intercourse between them that exhibits enthusiasm in him towards their cause, and the highest esteem for him on their side.  For my part, I see as little chance of recovering America as of re-conquering the Holy Land.  Still, I do not amuse you with visions on either side, but tell you nakedly what advantage has been gained or lost.  This caution abbreviates my letters; but, in general, you can depend on what I tell you.  Adieu!