with a person who seemed willing to comply with anything which I could propose in reason, and has even gone beyond my proposals; and I have reason to flatter myself that his Majesty has not that reluctance to oblige me, which his grandfather had, and has certainly a much better opinion of me.  Then, if this Election goes off without an enormous expense, I shall be enabled to pay off much the greatest part of my debt; but my imprudences have been beyond conception.  I hope that that Providence which has preserved me from the usual effects of them will be kind enough to let me enjoy some few years of ease, and to pass them with your Lordship.  I will not then complain of my lot here, which, were the cards to be shuffled again, I might mend in some particulars, without perhaps adding anything to the general felicity of my life.

I went from the D(uke) of G(rafton’s) to a little concert at March’s, where was Sir C(harles) and Lady S(arah).  She and I went up into the rooms above, which are now gilding and repairing, and I communicated to her such parts of your letter as I thought would please her, and which I thought you would be pleased that I should repeat to her. . . .

Monday morning.—­Miss Blake(89) did not leave them till yesterday.  She went with Lady S(arah) to Court, and then Sir Ch(arles) and Lady S(rah)dined at Mr. Blake’s and left her there.  I saw Lady S(rah)afterwards at the D(che)s of Hamilton’s.(90) Assembly is there at present; Lady Harrington has not been able to see company for some time.

There is now no talk but of Elections.  Lord Thom(n) is thrown out at Taunton, and opposed at Winchelsea, and so it goes on.  This is the week I am in most apprehension of, because I think next, as the Judges will be then in the town (loucester) there can be no treating nor bustle; but as yet I know of no opponent.  Sackville sticks close to . . . (sic).  I was with her Grace most part of yesterday morning, with Lord W. Gordon.  Harry St. John asks me if you have mentioned a Me Chateau Dauphin; all Italian news interests him much. . . .

(88) George iii.

(89) Carlisle in a letter refers to her as Selwyn’s ward.

(90) Elizabeth Gunning, Duchess of Hamilton and Argyll (1734-1790); a sister of the equally beautiful and famous Maria Gunning, Lady Coventry, who died in 1760.  The Duchess of Argyll, who married the second time the year following the death of the Duke of Hamilton, was generally known as the Duchess of Hamilton, and in 1776 was created Baroness Hamilton in her own right.  This untitled daughter of a poor Irish gentleman was the wife of two dukes and the mother of four.