As I take you to be the greatest ‘juris peritus’ and politician of the whole Germanic body, I suppose you will have read the King of Prussia’s letter to the Elector of Mayence, upon the election of a King of the Romans; and on the other side, a memorial entitled, impartial representation of what is just with regard to the election of A king of the Romans, etc.  The first is extremely well written, but not grounded upon the laws and customs of the empire.  The second is very ill written (at least in French), but well grounded.  I fancy the author is some German, who has taken into his head that he understands French.  I am, however, persuaded that the elegance and delicacy of the King of Prussia’s letter will prevail with two-thirds of the public, in spite of the solidity and truth contained in the other piece.  Such is the force of an elegant and delicate style!

I wish you would be so good as to give me a more particular and circumstantial account of the method of passing your time at Paris.  For instance, where it is that you dine every Friday, in company with that amiable and respectable old man, Fontenelle?  Which is the house where you think yourself at home?  For one always has such a one, where one is better established, and more at ease than anywhere else.  Who are the young Frenchmen with whom you are most intimately connected?  Do you frequent the Dutch Ambassador’s.  Have you penetrated yet into Count Caunitz’s house?  Has Monsieur de Pignatelli the honor of being one of your humble servants?  And has the Pope’s nuncio included you in the jubilee?  Tell me also freely how you are with Lord Huntingdon:  Do you see him often?  Do you connect yourself with him?  Answer all these questions circumstantially in your first letter.

I am told that Du Clos’s book is not in vogue at Paris, and that it is violently criticised:  I suppose that is because one understands it; and being intelligible is now no longer the fashion.  I have a very great respect for fashion, but a much greater for this book; which is, all at once, true, solid, and bright.  It contains even epigrams; what can one wish for more?

Mr.------will, I suppose, have left Paris by this time for his residence
at Toulouse.  I hope he will acquire manners there; I am sure he wants
them.  He is awkward, he is silent, and has nothing agreeable in his
address,—­most necessary qualifications to distinguish one’s self in
business, as well as in the polite world!  In truth, these two things are
so connected, that a man cannot make a figure in business, who is not
qualified to shine in the great world; and to succeed perfectly in either
the one or the other, one must be in ‘utrumque paratus’.  May you be that,
my dear friend! and so we wish you a good night.

P. S. Lord and Lady Blessington, with their son Lord Mountjoy, will be at Paris next week, in their way to the south of France; I send you a little packet of books by them.  Pray go wait upon them, as soon as you hear of their arrival, and show them all the attentions you can.