We have a great expedition preparing, and which will soon be ready to sail from the Isle of Wight; fifteen thousand good troops, eighty battering cannons, besides mortars, and every other thing in abundance, fit for either battle or siege.  Lord Anson desired, and is appointed, to command the fleet employed upon this expedition; a proof that it is not a trifling one.  Conjectures concerning its destination are infinite; and the most ignorant are, as usual, the boldest conjecturers.  If I form any conjectures, I keep them to myself, not to be disproved by the event; but, in truth, I form none:  I might have known, but would not.

Everything seems to tend to a peace next winter:  our success in America, which is hardly doubtful, and the King of Prussia’s in Germany, which is as little so, will make France (already sick of the expense of the war) very tractable for a peace.  I heartily wish it:  for though people’s heads are half turned with the King of Prussia’s success, and will be quite turned, if we have any in America, or at sea, a moderate peace will suit us better than this immoderate war of twelve millions a year.

Domestic affairs go just as they did; the Duke of Newcastle and Mr. Pitt jog on like man and wife; that is, seldom agreeing, often quarreling; but by mutual interest, upon the whole, not parting.  The latter, I am told, gains ground in the closet; though he still keeps his strength in the House, and his popularity in the public; or, perhaps, because of that.

Do you hold your resolution of visiting your dominions of Bremen and Lubeck this summer?  If you do, pray take the trouble of informing yourself correctly of the several constitutions and customs of those places, and of the present state of the federal union of the Hanseatic towns:  it will do you no harm, nor cost you much trouble; and it is so much clear gain on the side of useful knowledge.

I am now settled at Blackheath for the summer; where unseasonable frost and snow, and hot and parching east winds, have destroyed all my fruit, and almost my fruit-trees.  I vegetate myself little better than they do; I crawl about on foot and on horseback; read a great deal, and write a little; and am very much yours.

LETTER CCXXII

Blackheath, May 30, 1758.

My dear friend:  I have no letter from you to answer, so this goes to you unprovoked.  But ‘a propos’ of letters; you have had great honor done you, in a letter from a fair and royal hand, no less than that of her Royal Highness the Princess of Cassel; she has written your panegyric to her sister, Princess Amelia, who sent me a compliment upon it.  This has likewise done you no harm with the King, who said gracious things upon that occasion.  I suppose you had for her Royal Highness those attentions which I wish to God you would have, in due proportions, for everybody.  You see, by this instance, the effects of them; they are always repaid with interest.  I am more confirmed by this in thinking, that, if you can conveniently, you should ask leave to go for a week to Cassel, to return your thanks for all favors received.