(1490) Elizabeth daughter of Algernon, last Duke of Somerset of the younger branch.  She was married to Sir Hugh Smithson, Bart. who became successively Earl and Duke of NorthUmberland.-D.

(1491) The Marquis de Mirepoix, marshal of France, and ambassador to England.  His wife was a woman of ability, and was long in great favour with Louis the Fifteenth and his successive mistresses.-D.

(1492) He engraved and published it on his return.

(1493) Hogarth’s well known print, entitled “The Roast Beef of Old England.”  The original picture is in the possession of the Earl of Charlemont, in Dublin.-D.

574 Letter 268 To Sir Horace Mann.  Strawberry Hill, Dec. 26, 1748.

Did you ever know a more absolute country-gentleman?  Here am I come down to what you call keep my Christmas! indeed it is not in all the forms; I have stuck no laurel and holly in my windows, I eat no turkey and chine, I have no tenants to invite, I have not brought a single soul With me.  The weather is excessively stormy, but has been so warm, and so entirely free from frost the whole winter, that not only several of’ my honeysuckles are come out, but I have literally a blossom upon a nectarine-tree, which I believe was never seen in this climate before on the 26th of December.  I am extremely busy here planting; I have got four more acres, which makes my territory prodigious in a situation where land is so scarce, and villas as abundant as formerly at Tivoli and Baiae.  I have now about fourteen acres, and am making a terrace the whole breadth of my garden on the brow of a natural hill, With meadows at the foot, and commanding the river, the village, Richmond-hill, and the park, and part of Kingston-but I hope never to show it you.  What you hint at in your last, increase of character, I should be extremely against your stirring in now:  the whole system of embassies is in confusion, and more candidates than employments.  I would have yours pass, as it is, for settled.  If you were to be talked especially for a higher character at Florence, one don’t know whom the -,additional dignity might tempt.  Hereafter, perhaps, it might be practicable for you, but I would by no means advise your soliciting it at present.  Sir Charles Williams is the great obstacle to all arrangement:  Mr. Fox makes a point of his going to Turin; the ministry, Who do not love him, are not for his going any where.  Mr. Villiers is talked of for Vienna, though just made a lord of the admiralty.  There were so many competitors, that at last Mr. Pelham said he would carry in two names to the King, and he should choose (a great indulgence!) Sir Peter Warren and Villiers were carried in; the King chose the latter.  I believe there is a little of Lord Granville in this, and in a Mr. Hooper, who was turned out with the last ministry, and is now made a commissioner of the customs:  the pretence is, to vacate a seat in Parliament for Sir Thomas Robinson, who is made a lord of trade; a