We may, and probably shall, fall off:  this was our strongest question—­but our troops will stand fast:  their hopes and views depend upon it, and their spirits are raised.  But for the other side it will not be the same.  The lookers-on will be stayers away, and their very subsidies will undo them.  They bought two single votes that day with two peerages;(509) Sir R. Bampfylde(510) and Sir Charles Tynte(511)—­and so are going to light up the flame of two more county elections—­and that in the west, where surely nothing was wanting but a tinder-box!

You would have almost laughed to see the spectres produced by both sides; one would have thought that they had sent a search-warrant for members of parliament into every hospital.  Votes were brought down in flannels and blankets, till the floor of the House looked like the pool of Bethesda.  ’Tis wonderful that half of us are not dead—­I should not say us; Herculean I have not suffered the least, except that from being a Hercules of ten grains, I don’t believe I now weigh above eight.  I felt from nothing so much as the noise, which made me as drunk as an owl--you may imagine the clamours of two parties so nearly matched, and so impatient to come to a decision.

The Duchess of Richmond has got a fever with the attendance of Tuesday—­but on Friday we were forced to be unpolite.  The Amazons came down in such squadrons, that we were forced to be denied.  However, eight or nine of the patriotesses dined in one of the Speaker’s rooms, and stayed there till twelve—­nay, worse, while their dear country was at stake, I am afraid they were playing at loo!

The Townshends, you perceive by this account, are returned; their father not dead.(512) Lord Howe(513) and the Colonel voted with us; so did Lord Newnham,(514) and is likely to be turned out of doors for it.  A warrant to take up Lord Charles Spenser was sent to Blenheim from Bedford-house,(515) and signed by his brother, and returned for him; so he went thither—­not a very kind office in the Duke of Marlborough to Lord Charles’s character.  Lord Granby refused to make the motion, but spoke for it.  Lord Hardwicke is relapsed; but we do not now fear any consequences from his death.  The Yorkes, who abandoned a triumphant administration, are not so tender as to return and comfort them in their depression.

The chief business now, I suppose, will lie in souterreins and intrigues.  Lord Bute’s panic will, probably, direct him to make application to us.  Sandwich will be manufacturing lies, and Rigby, negotiations.  Some change or other, whether partial or extensive, must arrive.  The best that can happen for the ministers, is to be able to ward off the blow till the recess, and they have time to treat at leisure; but in just the present state it is impossible things should remain.  The opposition is too strong, and their leaders too able to make no impression.

Adieu! pray tell Mr. Hume that I am ashamed to be thus writing the history of England, when he is with you!