They saw the astonishment which this exhibition created in me, and Lord Gower laughed, and said, “You perhaps do not know who it is?” Indeed I did not.  Je define seulement que sa figure n’est pas laide.  His chevelure was like that which I see in a picture of the grand Conde.  If there is anything of that hid under this disguise je lui passerai cette singularity and yet, if your sons or either of them should have all which Monsieur le Prince possessed, and Colbert too, I had rather that they would not be singular.  It may divert, but can never add to the respect which they might otherwise have.

I went with Lord Trentham to the Speaker’s, and returned to Lord G(ower), but had no conversation either with him or the Countess.  When they go to Neasdon, I hope that they will carry me with them.  When George meets me, he accosts me with these words, “Quomodo vale (sic) my petite sodale;” ou il a peche cette plaisanterie I do not know.  His namesake, Lord G. Germain,(194) is to kiss hands this morning for the title and peerage of Sackville.  Drayton, it seems, goes to the Beauclerks, if he becomes Duke of Dorset and has that estate.

My dinner yesterday with Fawkener and Warner at Mr. Crespigni’s was a very agreeable one indeed; la chere plutot bonne quexquise; excellent vin.  You will not forget Warner, I hope, when the opportunity offers, afin qu’il soit dans le cas d’en tirer de sa propre cave.  We generally close the evening around the fire in the card room at White’s, a forte feu de fraix; Williams, Lord Ashburnham, Vary, Fawkener, etc.; that is, those who either sup, game, or sit up.  The season of all that is over with me, and I have little inclination left for either of them.  I am quite well, vu mon age, and as likely to see you again as any other who is a sexagenaire, et meme davantage.  It is the chief part of my Litanie.

I talked of Caroline last night with Lady Ann, till I could ask no more questions about her.  I am glad that her dancing is admired.  We have here Mademoiselle Theodore, who takes Mr. Willis’(?) place till the season is over.  She has half a guinea a lesson, but it is to stay an hour.  There is a good account of Johnson’s prices, but he himself is gone to Lisbon to be married; whether that will be a prize, is a Scavoir.  That of the Duke of Newcastle’s(195) (sic) is already condemned, at least by his Grace, but he nuptie sunt vere nevertheless.  Lord Cornwallis is, I believe, going to inhabit my house till midsummer.  That has been a heavy charge upon my hands, instead of a profit.

(193) Francis Russell, fifth Duke of Bedford (1765-1802)5 succeeded his grandfather in 1771.  He was badly educated, indifferent to public opinion, liberal and independent in political views, a consistent follower of Fox.  In later life he showed great interest in the advancement of agriculture, by practice and experiment.

(194) See note (196) to letter of Feb. 8 below.