Dear sir, You judge rightly, I am very indifferent about Dr. Shorton, since he is not Dr. Shorter.  It has done nothing but rain since my return; whoever wants hay, must fish for it; it is all drowned, or swimming about the country.  I am glad our tour gave you so much pleasure; you was so very obliging, as you have always been to me, that I should have been grieved not to have had it give you satisfaction.  I hope your servant is quite recovered.

The painters and gilders quit my gallery this week, but I have not got a chair or a table for it yet; however, I hope it will have all its clothes on by the time you have promised me a visit.

Letter 169 To Dr. Ducarel.  Strawberry Hill, Aug. 8, 1763. (page 232)

Sir, I have been rambling about the country, or should not so long have deferred to answer the favour of your letter.  I thank you for the notices in it, and have profited of them.  I am much obliged to you too for the drawings you intended me; but I have since had a letter from Mr. Churchill, and he does not mention them.

Letter 170 To The Hon. H. S. Conway.  Strawberry Hill, Aug. 9, 1763. (page 232)

My gallery claims your promise; the painters and gilders finish to-morrow, and next day it washes its hands.  You talked of the 15th; shall I expect you then, and the Countess,(313) and the Contessina,(314) and the Baroness?(315)

Lord Digby is to be married immediately to the pretty Miss Fielding; and Mr. Boothby, they say, to Lady Mary Douglas.  What more news I know I cannot send you; for I have had it from Lady Denbigh and Lady Blandford, who have so confounded names, genders, and circumstances, that I am not sure whether Prince Ferdinand is not going to be married to the hereditary Prince.  Adieu!

P. S. If you want to know more of me, you may read a whole column of abuse upon me in the Public Ledger of Thursday last; where they inform me that the Scotch cannot be so sensible @as the English, because they have not such good writers.  Alack!  I am afraid the most sensible men in any country do not write.

I had writ this last night.  This morning I receive your paper of evasions, perfide que vous `etes!  You may let it alone, you will never see any thing like my gallery—­and then to ask me to leave it the instant it is finished!  I never heard such a request in my days!—­Why, all the earth is begging to come to see it:  as Edging says, I have had offers enough from blue and green ribands to make me a falbala-apron.  Then I have just refused to let Mrs. Keppel and her Bishop be in the house with me, because I expected all you—­it is mighty well, mighty fine!-No, sir, no, I shall not come; nor am I in a humour to do any thing else you desire:  indeed, without your provoking me, I should not have come into the proposal of paying Giardini.  We have been duped and cheated every winter for these