Nothing is discovered of Lord Harrington’s robbery, nor do I know any other news, but that George West(418) is to marry lady Mary Grey.  The Hereditary Prince’s wound is broken out again, and will defer his arrival.  We have had a new comedy,(419) written by Mrs. Sheridan, and admirably acted; but there was no wit in it, and it was so vulgar that it ran but three nights.

Poor Lady Hervey desires you will tell Mr. Hume how incapable she is of answering his letter.  She has been terribly afflicted for these six weeks with a complication of gout, rheumatism, and a nervous complaint.  She cannot lie down in her bed, nor rest two minutes in her chair.  I never saw such continued suffering.

You say in your last, of the 7th, that you have omitted to invite no Englishman of rank or name.  This gives me an opportunity, my dear lord, of mentioning one Englishman, not of great rank, but who is very unhappy that you have taken no notice of him.  You know how utterly averse I am to meddle, or give impertinent advice; but the letter I saw was expressed with so much respect and esteem for you, that you would love the person.  It is Mr. Selwyn, the banker.  He says, he expected no favour; but the great regard he has for the amiableness of your character, makes him miserable at being totally undistinguished by you.  He has so good a character himself and is so much beloved by many persons here that you know, that I think you will not dislike my putting you in mind of him.  The letter was not to me, nor to any friend of mine; therefore, I am sure, unaffected.  I saw the whole letter, and he did not even hint at its being communicated to me.

I have not mentioned Lady Holdernesse’s presentation, though I by no means approve it, nor a Dutch woman’s lowering the peerage of England.  Nothing of that sort could make me more angry, except a commoner’s wife taking such a step; for you know I have all the pride of A citizen of Rome, while Rome survives:  In that respect my name is thoroughly Horatius.

(411) William Bridgen, Esq.-E.

(412) John Luther, Esq. was returned for Essex, on the popular interest, after a severe and most expensive contest.-C.

(413) Sir john Griffin Griffin, K. B., major-general and colonel of the 33d regiment; member for Andover.  He established, in 1784, a claim to the barony of Howard de Walden, and was created, in 1788, Baron Braybrook, with remainder to A. A. Neville, Esq.  He died in 1797.-C.

(414) Colonel Charles Fitzroy, member for Bury, afterwards Lord Southampton.  It seems strange that Mr. Walpole should be mistaken in such a point; but Colonel Fitzroy was not Lady Hertford’s brother, but her brother’s son.-C.

(415) William Fitzherbert, Esq. member for Derby:  a lord of trade.-C.

(416) the rumour mentioned in the text was unfounded, Sir Joseph continued at the Hague till 1783.-C.

(417) Archbishop Secker.  The Grounds for this strange story (which Walpole was fond of repeating) was, that the Archbishop had, in early youth, been intended for the medical profession, and had attended some hospitals.-C.