I supped last night at Brooks’s with Lord Ossory, and chiefly on his account.  There was a large company besides:  the D(ukes) of Q(ueensberry) and of Devonshire,(182) Percy Windham, Charles Fox, Hare, Lord Derby, Mr. Gardiner, Richard, Belgiosioso, &c., &c.  I stayed very late with Charles and Ossory, and I liked my evening very much.  A great deal of the political system from Charles, which he expatiated upon in such a manner as gave me great entertainment, although, in all things which regard the K(ing) and his Government, I differed from him toto caelo.  Lord D(erby’s?) nonsense was the only drawback upon the rest.  He is the most mechant singe I ever knew.

Hare opened the Pharo Bank in the great room, but had so few and such poor punters that Charles and Richard was (were) obliged to sit down from time to time as decoy ducks.  The Bank won, as Hare said, about a hundred, out of which the cards were to be paid.  I do not think that the people who frequent Brooks’s will suffer this pillage another campaign.  Trusty was there to go into the chair, when he should be called upon.  I told him that I was extremely sorry that he had quitted the Corps de Noblesse pour se jetter dans le Commerce; but it is at present his only resource.  I cannot help thinking that, notwithstanding our late disasters, Bob’s(183) political tenants will be very tardy in remitting him their rents.  But between Foley House, and the run of Mr. Boverie’s kitchen, with his own credit at Brooks’s, and his share in and affinity to an opulent Bank, and flourishing trade, he may find a subsistence.

The D(uche)ss of Marlborough,(184) I hear, is already laying a scheme for marrying Lord Blandford to a great fortune, so by that any hopes which I might have had of my dear little Caroline being Duchess of Marlborough are blasted.  I am told, that Miss Child’s alliance is in her Grace’s contemplation.  I saw Ekins yesterday; he mends very slowly.  Lady Althrop is breeding, Lord Harrington has another son.  Lord Sandwich looks near to death with fatigue and mortification.

Burke(?) said in the House the other day that he had so little credit that his evidence was not good even against himself.  All this may be, but he is the last of all his Majesty’s Ministers which I shall give up.  He has experience, assiduity, e(t) du zele.  Whether he has blundered or not I cannot tell, or been obliged to adopt the blunders of others.  He has judged right in one thing, if he ever had it in his head to make a friend of me.  For he has been always extremely civil, and indeed that is not only a sine qua non with me, but all that I have to ask of any of his Majesty’s Ministers, and that I am intituled to at least.

Now do I wish that my coachman was come back, that I may hear how my dear little friend is, and at night I will let you know.

(180) See Storer’s letter of December 1, below.

(181) John Robinson, Secretary to the Treasury.