Before the Parliament adjourned, there was nothing but a trifling debate in an empty House, occasioned by a motion from the ministry, to order another physician and surgeon to attend Wilkes; it was carried by about seventy to thirty, and was only memorable by producing Mr. Charles Townshend, who having sat silent through the question of privilege, found himself interested in the defence of Dr. Brocklesby!(422) Charles ridiculed Lord North extremely, and had warm words with George Grenville.  I do not look upon this as productive of consequential speaking for the opposition; on the contrary, I should expect him sooner in place, if the ministry could be fools enough to restore weight to him and could be ignorant that he can never hurt them so much as by being with them.  Wilkes refused to see Heberden and Hawkins, whom the House commissioned to visit him; and to laugh at us more, sent for two Scotchmen, Duncan and Middleton.  Well! but since that, he is gone off himself:  however, as I (lid in D’Eon’s case, I can now only ask news of him from you, and not tell you any; for You have got him.  I do not believe you will invite him, and make so much of him, as the Duke of Bedford did.  Both sides pretend joy at his being gone; and for once I can believe both.  You will be diverted, as I was, at the cordial esteem the ministers have for one another; Lord Waldegrave(423) told my niece, this morning, that he had offered a shilling, to receive an hundred pounds when-@Sandwich shall lose his head!  What a good opinion they have of one another! apropos to losing heads, is Lally beheaded?

The East India Company have come to an unanimous resolution of not paying Lord Clive the three hundred thousand pounds, which the ministry had promised him in lieu of his nabobical annuity.  Just after the bargain was made, his old rustic of a father was at the King’s lev`ee; the King asked where his son was; he replied, “Sire, he is coming to town, and their your Majesty will have another vote.”  If you like these franknesses, I can tell you another.  The Chancellor(424) is chosen a governor of St. Bartholomew’s Hospital; a smart gentleman, who was sent with the staff, carried it in the evening, when the Chancellor happened to be drunk.  “Well, Mr. Bartlemy,” said his lordship, snuffling, “what have you to say?” The man, who had prepared a formal harangue, was transported to have so fair opportunity given him of uttering it, and with much dapper gesticulation congratulated his lordship on his health, and the nation on enjoying such great abilities.  The Chancellor stopped him short, crying, “By God, it is a lie!  I have neither health nor abilities my bad health has destroyed my abilities.”  The late Chancellor(425) is much better.

The last time the King was at Drury-lane, the play given out for the next night was “All in the Wrong:”  the Galleries clapped, and then cried out.  “Let us be all in the right!  Wilkes and Liberty!” When the King comes to a theatre, or goes out, or goes to the House, there is not a single applause; to the Queen there is a little:  in short, Louis le bien-aim`e is not French at present for King George.