Dear sir, I had just sent away a half-scolding letter to my sister, for not telling me of Robert’s(570) arrival, and to acquaint you both with the loss of poor Lord Malpas, when I received your very entertaining letter of the 19th.  I had not then got the draught of the Conqueror’s kitchen, and the tiles you were so good as to send me; and grew horribly afraid lest old Dr. Ducarel, who is an ostrich of an antiquary, and can digest superannuated brickbats, should have gobbled them up.  At my return from Strawberry Hill yesterday, I found the whole cargo safe, and am really much obliged to you.  I weep over the ruined kitchen,. but enjoy the tiles.  They are exactly like a few which I obtained from the cathedral of Gloucester, when it was new paved; they are inlaid in the floor of my china-room.  I would have got enough to pave it entirely; but the canons, who were flinging them away, had so much devotion left, that they enjoined me not to pave a pagoda with them, nor put them to any profane use.  As scruples Increase in a ratio to their decrease, I did not know but a china-room might casuistically be interpreted a pagoda, and sued for no more.  My cloister is finished and consecrated but as I intend to convert the old blue and white hall next to the china-room into a Gothic columbarium, I should seriously be glad to finish the floor with Norman tiles.  However, as I shall certainly make you a visit in about two months, I will wait till then, and bring the dimensions with me.

Depend upon it, I will pay some of your debts to M. de Lislebonne; that is, I will make as great entertainments for him as any one can, who almost always dines alone in his dressing-room; I will show him every thing all the morning, as much as any one can, who lies abed till noon, and never gets dressed till two o’clock; and I will endeavour to amuse him with variety of diversions every evening as much as any one can, who does nothing but play at loo till midnight, or sit behind Lady Mary Coke in a corner of a box at the Opera.  Seriously, though.  I will try to show him that I think distinctions paid to you and my sister favours to me, and will make a point of adding the few civilities which his name, rank, and alliance with the Guerchys can leave necessary.  M. de Guerchy is adored here, and will find so, particularly at this Juncture, when he has been most cruelly and publicly insulted by a mad, but villanous fellow, one D’Eon, left here by the Duc de Nivernois, who in effect is still worse treated.  This creature, who had been made minister plenipotentiary, which turned his brain, as you have already heard, had stolen Nivernois’s private letters, and has published them, and a thousand scandals on M. de Guerchy, in a very thick quarto.  The affair is much too long for a letter, makes a great noise, and gives great offence.  The council have met to-day to consider how to avenge Guerchy and punish D’Eon.  I hope a legal remedy is in their power.