There surely must be some change or alteration in Administration.  Lord George Germain seemed to lay a very heavy charge the first day of the Sessions against Lord Sandwich, but what will come of it, it is difficult to say.  Speculation upon political events, however justified by seeing what ought to be, is not always to be depended upon.  You can judge better than I can, because you have probably sure information, and I can only form conclusions by what everyone sees and knows.  From what Lord Germain said, C(harles) Fox told him that when he impeached Lord Sandwich, he should consider him as a principal witness.

The most melancholy events are predicted with regard to the W(est) Indies.  Indeed it is true that everything is now at the mercy of the Enemy, and it is their fault if any possessions whatever, either in N(orth) America or in the W(est) Indies, remain under the British Empire.  Our affairs in Ireland go on pretty well, and that is the only place where they do. (The) Lord Advocate made a downright, open speech, but Lord Geo(rge) did not understand it; though parts of it, by what the Advocate has said in debate, were most probably levelled at him.

(1781), Dec. 4, Tuesday morning.—­I found, when I came home last night, this letter from your son, which I enclose.  Dr. Ekins shewed me a letter from him yesterday, which was with less mistakes in the writing, and was verily (sic) prettily expressed, but it was shorter.  I find my idea of the Provostship will never do.  There are other arrangements for him, and the Provostship, as I hear, will be given to Dampier, Mr. North’s tutor.

Burke’s Motion is withdrawn.  The Opposition thought this was exactly the proper moment to increase and inflame the quarrel between us and the Americans.  Unluckily for them, Government is in possession of a letter from Mr. Laurens,(185) in which he expresses himself perfectly satisfied with the treatment of him, in all respects; so this was communicated to Burke.  I heard of no other business yesterday, or of any news, but Lord Cornwallis, it is said, goes to Paris.  I do not envy him the civilities which he will receive there.

Monsieur de Maurepas(186) heard of our defeat just before he died, and expired with a line of Mitridate in his mouth, which sounded as well I suppose as a Nuncdimittis, and was as sincere: 

Mes demurs regards ont vu fuir les Remains.

An old coxcomb!  I wish that I could live to see our hands trempes dans le sang odieux de cette nation infernale, rather than our petits maitres here, in Caca du Dauphin, Boue de Paris, Bile repandue du Comte d’Artois, ou vomis (sic) de la Reine.  Ce sont les couleurs les plus a la mode, et pour le Carnaval qui vient.

Lord Loughborough has the gout, and is confined to his bed.  To-day I have all the Townshends and Brodericks to dine here, and Mie Mie goes after dinner to the Opera with Lady Payne, so I must be dressed to be her beau, which, if it was not for the pleasure of being assistant to her, would be souffrir le martyre.