London, November 21, 1758.

My dear friend:  You did well to think of Prince Ferdinand’s ribband, which I confess I did not; and I am glad to find you thinking so far beforehand.  It would be a pretty commission, and I will ‘accingere me’ to procure it to you.  The only competition I fear, is that of General Yorke, in case Prince Ferdinand should pass any time with his brother at The Hague, which is not unlikely, since he cannot go to Brunswick to his eldest brother, upon account of their simulated quarrel.

I fear the piece is at an end with the King of Prussia, and he may say ‘ilicet’; I am sure he may personally say ‘plaudite’.  Warm work is expected this session of parliament, about continent and no continent; some think Mr. Pitt too continent, others too little so; but a little time, as the newspapers most prudently and truly observe, will clear up these matters.

The King has been ill; but his illness is terminated in a good fit of the gout, with which he is still confined.  It was generally thought that he would have died, and for a very good reason; for the oldest lion in the Tower, much about the King’s age, died a fortnight ago.  This extravagancy, I can assure you, was believed by many above peuple.  So wild and capricious is the human mind!

Take care of your health as much as you can; for, To be, or not To be, is a question of much less importance, in my mind, than to be or not to be well.  Adieu.

LETTER CCXXXVI

London, December 15, 1758.

My dear friend:  It is a great while since I heard from you, but I hope that good, not ill health, has been the occasion of this silence:  I will suppose you have been, or are still at Bremen, and engrossed by your Hessian friends.

Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick is most certainly to have the Garter, and I think I have secured you the honor of putting it on.  When I say secured, I mean it in the sense in which that word should always be understood at courts, and that is, insecurely; I have a promise, but that is not ‘caution bourgeoise’.  In all events, do not mention it to any mortal, because there is always a degree of ridicule that attends a disappointment, though often very unjustly, if the expectation was reasonably grounded; however, it is certainly most prudent not to communicate, prematurely, one’s hopes or one’s fears.  I cannot tell you when Prince Ferdinand will have it; though there are so many candidates for the other two vacant Garters, that I believe he will have his soon, and by himself; the others must wait till a third, or rather a fourth vacancy.  Lord Rockingham and Lord Holdernesse are secure.  Lord Temple pushes strongly, but, I believe, is not secure.  This commission for dubbing a knight, and so distinguished a one, will be a very agreeable and creditable one for you, ‘et