Lord Clive, who chose him:  he has therefore offered to resign his seat.  Lady Augusta’s(387) fortune was to be voted to-day and Lord Strange talked of opposing it; but I had not the curiosity to go down.  This is all our politics, and indeed all our news; we have none of any other kind.  So far you will not regret England.  For my part, I wish myself with you.  Being perfectly indifferent who is minister and Who is not, and weary of laughing(388) at both, I shall take hold of the first spring to make you my visit.

Our operas do not succeed.  Girardini, now become minister and having no exchequer to buy an audience, is grown unpopular.  The Mingotti, whom he has forced upon the town, is as much disliked as if he had insisted on her being first lord of the treasury.  The first man, though with sweet notes, has so weak a voice that he might as well hold his tongue like Charles Townshend.  The figurantes are very pretty, but can dance no more than Tommy Pelham.(389) The first man dancer is handsome, well made, and strong enough to make his fortune any where:  but you know, fortunes made in private are seldom agreeable to the public.(390) In short, it will not do; there was not a soul in the pit the second night.

Lady Mary Coke has received her gown by the Prince de Masseran, and is exceedingly obliged to you, though much disappointed; this being a slight gown made up, and not the one she expected, which is a fine one bought for her by Lady Holland,(391) and which you must send somehow or other:  if you cannot, you must despatch an ambassador on purpose.  I dined with the Prince de Masseran, at Guerchy’s, the day after his arrival; and if faces speak truth, he will not be our ruin.  Oh! but there is a ten times more delightful man—­the Austrian minister:(392) he is so stiff and upright, that you would think all his mistress’s diadems were upon his head, and that he was afraid of their dropping off.

I know so little of Irish politics, that I am afraid of misinforming you:  but I hear that Hamilton, who has come off with honour in a squabble with Lord Newton,(393) about the latter’s wife, speaks and votes with the opposition against the Castle.(394) I don’t know the meaning of it, nor, except it had been to tell you, should I have remembered it.

Well! your letter will not come, and I must send away mine.  Remember, the holidays are coming, and that I shall be a good deal out of town.  I have been charming hitherto, but I cannot make brick without straw.  Encore, you are almost the only person I ever write a line to.  I grow so old and so indolent that I hate the sight of a pen and ink.

(380) Charles, first Marquis of Cornwallis:  born in 1738, succeeded his father, the first Earl, in 1762, and died in India in 1805.-E.

(381) Joshua, fifth Viscount Allen, of Ireland, born in 1738.-E.

(382) George, second son of the first Earl of Delawarr.-E.

(383) Bishops made during the Duke of Newcastle’s administration, and who were therefore supposed likely to be of his opinion.  The Duke of Newcastle after being nearly half a century in office, was now in opposition.-C.