Saturday.—­I was prevented from continuing this letter yesterday, by a visit from Lord Digby, who assured me that to the best of his judgment you had nothing to fear from that quarter which has now and then alarmed me not a little.  I dined at Lord Ash[burnham’s]:  Lord Frederick, Williams, Sir J. Peachy(?) and old(?) Elison.  I do not perceive that Lord Carm(arthen) has got any repu(ta)tion from his violence against Lord George.(196) The attack surprised, (and) had not been concerted with anybody; he had revealed his design but to one, as he said, and that I am told was Lord Pembroke, une tete digne de cette confidence.

It was a Motion cruel and ill-mannered, and not becoming one man of quality to another; at the same time an unpardonable insult to the Crown.  Lord de Ferrars, I hear, has found out a precedent for it, as he thinks, in King James 1st(’s) time, but a precedent of what? of ins(o)lence to the Crown; it was in that reign begun, with impunity.  If there could be any hesitation in this peerage, this motion must have confirmed it.

Lord Abingdon spoke like a perfect blackguard, and Lord Shellbourne, in a speech which Lord Cov(entry) calls such a model of perfect oratory, to exemplify the contempt which the late King had of Lord George, quoted not only his own words, but imitated his manner—­two of his grand-children, the Princes, in the House.  This part of his speech was a pantomime fitter for the treteaux des boulevards than for a chamber of Parliament.  However, Lord George will take his seat next week, and what he will do, or be, afterwards, God knows.  Ellis(197) has his place.

Poor General Fraser died of an emetic, which occasioned the bursting of a vessel.  Lord Talbot has had another warning, and so has Lord R. Bertie, and neither can live long.  I was last night at Lady Lucan’s, to see young Beckford,(198) who seems to possess very extraordinary talents; he is a perfect master of music, but has a voice, either natural or feigned, of an eunuch.  He speaks several languages with uncommon facility, and well, but has such a mercurial turn, that I think he may finish his days aux petites maisons; his person and figure are agreeable.  I did not come till late, and till he had tired himself with all kind of mimicry and performances.  The Duchess of Bedford [was] there, and Lady Clermont.  There is a picture engraving at the man’s house in St. James’s Street where your picture is to be engraved.  His design is ingenious; it is the story of Pharaoh’s daughter finding Moses in the bullrushes.  The Princess Royal is introduced as Pharaoh’s daughter, and all the other ladies, celebrated for their beauty—­the Duchess of Devonshire, Lady Jersey, etc. etc.; on briguera les places.  The portraits will be originals, and the whole, if well executed, will be a very pretty print.  I would have a pendent to it; and that should be of Pharo’s sons, where might be introduced a great many of our friends, and acquaintance, from the other side of the Street.  I am so taken up with business this morning, that I did not endeavour to make a party with Lord Gower to go and see George.  Gregg has wrote me word that he shall ride that way to-morrow.