[Footnote 1:  The Queen was Caroline Matilda, a sister of George III., and was accused of a criminal intimacy with Count Struenzee, the Prime Minister.  Struenzee, “after a trial with only a slight semblance of the forms of justice” (to quote the words of Lord Stanhope), was convicted and executed; and the Queen was at first imprisoned in the Castle of Cronenburg, but after a time was released, and allowed to retire to Zell, Hanover, where she died in 1774.]

For eight months to come I should think we shall have little to talk of, you and I, but distant wars and distant majesties.  For my part, I reckon the volume quite shut in which I took any interest.  The succeeding world is young, new, and half unknown to me.  Tranquillity comprehends every wish I have left, and I think I should not even ask what news there is, but for fear of seeming wedded to old stories—­the rock of old men; and yet I should prefer that failing to the solicitude about a world one belongs to no more!  Adieu!

QUARREL OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS WITH THE CITY—­DISSENSIONS IN THE FRENCH COURT AND ROYAL FAMILY—­EXTRAVAGANCE IN ENGLAND.

TO SIR HORACE MANN.

ARLINGTON STREET, April 26, 1771.

You may wonder that I have been so silent, when I had announced a war between the House of Commons and the City—­nay, when hostilities were actually commenced; but many a campaign languishes that has set out very flippantly.  My letters depend on events, and I am like the man in the weather-house who only comes forth on a storm.  The wards in the City have complimented the prisoners,[1] and some towns; but the train has not spread much.  Wilkes is your only gun-powder that makes an explosion.  He and his associates are more incensed at each other than against the Ministry, and have saved the latter much trouble.  The Select Committees have been silent and were forgotten, but there is a talk now of their making some report before the session closes.

[Footnote 1:  The prisoners were Crosby, the Lord Mayor, and Oliver, one of the aldermen, both members of Parliament.  The selection of the Tower for their imprisonment was greatly remarked upon, because hitherto that had never been so used except for persons accused of high treason; while their offence was but a denial of the right of the House of Commons to arrest a liveryman within the City, and the entertaining a charge of assault against the messenger who had endeavoured to arrest him.  These riots, which for the moment appeared likely to become formidable, arose out of the practice of reporting the parliamentary debates, a practice contrary to the Standing Orders of Parliament, passed as far back as the reign of Elizabeth, but the violation of which had lately begun to be attempted.]