a little discomposes this august ceremonial.  His name is Count Holke, his age three-and-twenty; and his post answers to one that we had formerly in England, many ages ago, and which in our tongue was called the lord high favourite.  Before the Danish monarchs became absolute, the most refractory of that country used to write libels, called North Danes, against this great officer; but that practice has long since ceased.  Count Holke seems rather proud of his favour, than shy of displaying it.

I hope, my dear lord, you will be content with my Danish politics, for I trouble myself with no other.  There is a long history about the Baron de Bottetourt and Sir Jeffery Amherst, who has resigned his regiment; but it is nothing to me, nor do I care a straw about it.  I am deep in the anecdotes of the new Court; and if you want to know more of Count Holke or Count Molke, or the grand vizier Bernsdorff, or Mynheer Schimmelman, apply to me, and you shall be satisfied.  But what do I talk of?  You will see them yourself.  Minerva in the shape of Count Bernsdorff, or out of all shape in the person of the Duchess of Northumberland, is to conduct Telemachus to York races; for can a monarch be perfectly accomplished in the mysteries of king-craft, as our Solomon James I. called it, unless he is initiated in the arts of jockeyship?  When this northern star travels towards its own sphere, Lord Hertford will go to Ragley.  I shall go with him; and, if I can avoid running foul of the magi that will be thronging from all parts to worship that star, I will endeavour to call at Wentworth Castle for a day or two, if it will not be inconvenient; I should think it would be about the second week in September, but your lordship shall hear again, unless you should forbid me, who am ever Lady Strafford’s and your lordship’s most faithful humble servant.

WILKES’S ELECTION—­THE COMTESSE DE BARRI—­THE DUC DE CHOISEUL’S INDISCRETION.

TO SIR HORACE MANN.

ARLINGTON STREET, Jan. 31, 1769.

The affair of Wilkes is rather undecided yet, than in suspense.[1] It has been a fair trial between faction and corruption; of two such common creatures, the richest will carry it.

[Footnote 1:  Wilkes had been elected a member of the Common Council.]

The Court of Aldermen set aside the election of Wilkes on some informality, but he was immediately re-chosen.  This happened on Friday last, the very day of his appearance at the House of Commons.  He went thither without the least disturbance or mob, having dispersed his orders accordingly, which are obeyed implicitly.  He did not, however, appear at the bar till ten at night, the day being wasted in debating whether he should be suffered to enter on his case at large, or be restrained to his two chief complaints.  The latter was carried by 270 to 131, a majority that he will not easily reduce.  He was then called in, looked ill, but behaved decently, and demanded to take the oaths and his seat.  This affair, after a short debate, was refused; and his counsel being told the restrictions imposed, the House adjourned at midnight.  To-day he goes again to the House, but whatever steps he takes there, or however long debates he may occasion, you may look upon his fate as decided in that place.