I was surprised to find that Sir Ch[arle]s and Lady Sarah [Bunbury] were in town, and had not been out of it.  The weather has been and is so cold there is no stirring from one’s fireside, and so they changed their mind.  I dine with them to-day, when I hope I shall see Harry; I have not seen him yet.  I have been absent, it is now above a fortnight.  I shall not seal up my letter till I have been in Privy Garden.  I was asked to dine at Lord George’s(22) to-day, but am glad that, it being postday, I can dine where I may be able to pick up something that will be interesting to you.  I don’t wish to add fuel, but it is natural to wish that one’s letters are made as acceptable as possible.

I have had a message to-day from Sir W. Musgrave, who desires to see me to-morrow; I will endeavour to see him to-day, as the post goes out; I don’t know particularly what he has to say.  I have sent to Hemmins this morning, but he is not yet come to me.

Lord W. Gordon(23) says he thinks his brother will ask for the other Ribband.  I long to see the Duke of Buccleugh(24) in his.  I can tell you no more at present of Brereton’s(25) affair than that he is to be prosecuted.  I send you his advertisement, which came out a fortnight ago.  I think some answer should have been made to it; although I think the controversy very unequal, and a paper war with such a low fellow very disagreeable.  But the assertions in this advertisement will gain him credit.  As I live with but one set of people, I do not hear all the animadversions that are made upon this affair, but I believe there is a certain monde where my two friends pass but for very scrubby people; a bold assertion, and a great deal of dirt thrown, although by a very mean hand, must inevitably have a disagreeable effect.

The night robberies are very frequent.  Polly Jones, my neighbour, was a few nights ago stopped, when the chair was set down at Bully’s(26) door, and she robbed of 12 guineas.

Lady Bolingbroke has sent her resignation to the Queen, who wrote her a very gracious letter upon it.  Bully kisses hand[s] to-morrow; the others soon after.  Lord Gower(27) is the only one who has kissed hands as yet.  Fanshaw is not to be in Parliament, so there is so much money saved to him, and his pension consequently in greater security.

I am glad that there is so much care taken of Rover.  I think, if he has the good fortune to survive Alps, &c., and ever come to Castle Howard, that he has an establishment for life, and may be a toad-eater of Stumpy’s.

I had a letter yesterday from Sir J. Lambert,(28) who says he can contrive to send the Badge safely.  I hope he sends my letters regularly.  March is still at Lord Spencer’s, where he amuses himself, as he tells me, excessively.

I will write more after dinner, when I hope to be more amusing to you.  I am glad for your sake and mine that they are still in town.  I shall not forget to faire valoir tous vos beaux sentiment.  I’m persuaded that I shall not be thought borish upon that subject.