There has been an Almack since I wrote, but no events.

At the other shop, a great deal of deep play, where I believe Ossory has been a great sufferer; the D[uke] of Roxb[urgh](85) is become a very deep player also, and at Hazard.  I have been, as you justly call it, foolish, but very moderately so, and rather a winner, for which I’m not certainly less foolish.  But my caution at present arises from being at the eve of an expense probably for which an opposition at the Hazard table is but a bad preparatif.  However, all things are quiet as yet, and my own private affairs en bon train, according to the present appearances.

The D[uke] of G[rafton] tells me that he wishes to recommend for Luggershall, Lord Garlics,(86) and a son of Sir M. Lamb’s.  I wish Morpeth(87) could have waited till you come of age.  But I hope that in future times everything will be done there and elsewhere which your family consequence entitles you to wish may be done.

The Corporation of Oxford was dismissed on Wednesday last with a reprimand that is to be printed; un discours assez plat, as I have heard.  That affair has raised up many others, and a multitude of attorneys, who have been hawking about people’s boroughs, have been sent for.  It is high time to put a stop to such practices, and to check the proceedings of nabobs, commissaries, and agents.

Very luckily for you I cannot find many materials here for detaining you long, so God bless you, my dear Lord.  I wish I may be able to contrive some means of abridging the time and distance which seems determined to separate me from you.  I am constantly regretting that which I gave up to old women and presidents.  But il est de nos attachemens comme de la sante; nous n’en sentons pas tout le prix que quand nous l’avons perdue.  I beg my compliments to the Marquis of Kildare; I am happy to know that you have a companion, and that it is him.

(82) Francis Godolphin Osborne, Marquis of Carmarthen, fifth Duke of Leeds.  In 1773 he married Amelia, daughter of Robert d’Arcy, Earl of Holdernesse.  He was Secretary for Foreign Affairs 1783-91.

(83) Richard Stonehewer, the Duke of Grafton’s private secretary.  He was a friend of Gray, the poet, and of Horace Walpole.

(84) Sir John Proby (1720-1772).  He was created Baron Carysfort in 1752, and appointed one of the Lords of the Admiralty in 1757.

(85) John, third Duke of Roxburghe (1740-1804).  In society he was regarded as one of the most agreeable and handsome men of his day, but he is now chiefly recollected as a book collector.  The sale of his library in 1812 occupied forty-five days.  The Roxburghe Club was inaugurated at the time of the sale.

(86) John Lord Garlics (1735-1806), seventh Earl of Galloway.

(87) The parliamentary representation of.

[1768, Feb. 26]. . . .The Bishops have, as I apprehended that they would, put a stop to our Masquerade, for which I am sorry, principally upon Lady Sarah’s account.  I shall go this morning and condole with her upon it. . . .  March is very pressing to know if I do him justice in my letters to you; he is not very fond of writing, and therefore deposits with me all his best and kindest compliments to you.