I was but too good a prophet when I warned you to expect new extravagances from the Due de Chaulnes’s son.  Some weeks ago he lost five hundred pounds to one Virette, an equivocal being, that you remember here.  Paolucci, the Modenese minister, who is not in the odour of honesty, was of the party.  The Duc de Pecquigny said to the latter, “Monsieur, ne jouez plus avec lui, si vous n’`etes pas de moiti`e.”  So far was very well.  On Saturday at the Maccaroni Club(461) (which is composed of all the travelled young men, men who wear long curls and spying-glasses,) they played again:  the Duc lost, but not Much.  In the passage at the Opera, the Duc saw Mr. Stuart talking to Virette, and told the former that Virette was a coquin, a fripon, etc. etc.  Virette retired, saying only, “Voil`a un fou.”  The Duc then desired Lord Tavistock to come and see him fight Virette, but the Marquis desired to be excused.  After the Opera, Virette went to the Duc’s lodgings, but found him gone to make his complaint to Monsieur de Guerchy, whither he followed him; and farther this deponent knoweth not.  I pity the Count (de Guerchy,) who is one of the best-natured amiable men in the world, for having this absurd boy upon his hands!

Well! now for a little politics.  The Cider-bill(462) has not answered to the minority, though they ran the ministry hard;(463) but last Friday was extraordinary.  George Grenville was pushed upon some Navy bills; I don’t understand a syllable, you know of money and accounts; but whatever was the matter,(464) he was driven from entrenchment to entrenchment by Baker,(465) and Charles Townshend.  After that affair was over, and many gone away, Sir W. Meredith moved for the depositions on which the warrant against Wilkes had been granted.  The ministers complained of the motion being made so late In the day; called it a surprise; and Rigby moved to adjourn, which was carried but by 73 to 60.  Had a surprise been intended, one may imagine the minority would have been better provided with numbers; but it certainly had not been concerted:  however, a majority, shrunk to thirteen, frightened them out of the small senses they possess. heaven, earth, and the treasury, were moved to recover their ground to-day, when the question was renewed.  For about two hours the debate hobbled on very lamely, when on a sudden your brother rose, and made such a speech(466)—­but I wish any body was to give you the account except me, whom you will think partial:  but you will hear enough of it, to confirm any thing I can say.  Imagine fire, rapidity, argument, knowledge, wit, ridicule, grave, spirit; all pouring like a torrent, but without clashing.  Imagine the House in a tumult of continued applause imagine the ministers thunderstruck; lawyers abashed and almost blushing, for it was on their quibbles and evasions he fell most heavily, at the same time answering a whole session of arguments on the side of the court.  No, it was unique; you can neither