I have not yet tapped the chapter of baubles, being desirous of making my revenues maintain me here as long as possible, It will be time enough to return to my Parliament when I want money.

Mr. Hume that is the Mode,(866) asked much about your ladyship.  I have seen Madame de Monaco(867) and think her very handsome, and extremely pleasing.  The younger Madame d’Egmont,(868) I hear, disputes the palm with her:  and Madame de Brionne(869) is not left without partisans.  The nymphs of the theatres are laides `a faire peur which at my age is a piece of luck, like going into a shop of curiosities, and finding nothing to tempt one to throw away one’s money.

There are several English here, whether I will or not.  I certainly did not come for them, and shall connect with them as little as possible.  The few I value, I hope sometimes to hear of.  Your ladyship guesses how far that wish extends.  Consider too, Madam, that one of my unworthinesses is washed and done away, by the confession I made in the beginning of my letter.

(864) The Constable de Montmorency.-E.

(865) The ma`itre-d’h`otel, who, during the visit which Louis XIV. made to the grand Cond`e at Chantilly, put an end to his existence, because he feared the sea-fish would not arrive in time for one day’s repast.

(866) “Hume’s conversation to strangers,” says Lord Charlemont, “and still more particularly, one would suppose, to French women, could be little delightful; and yet no lady’s toilette was complete without his attendance.  At the Opera, his broad, unmeaning face was usually seen entre deux jolis minois:  the ladies in France gave the ton, and the ton was deism."-E.

(867) Madame de Monaco, afterwards Princess de Cond`e.-E.

(868) Daughter of the celebrated Marshal Duc de Richelieu.  See vol. iii. p. 358, letter 233, note 710.  She was one of the handsomest women in France.-E.

(869) Madame de Brionne, n`ee Rohan Rochefort, wife of M. de Brionne of the house of Lorraine, and mother of the Prince de Lambesc; known by his imprudent conduct at the head of his regiment in the garden of the Tuileries, at the commencement of the revolution.-E.

Letter 269 To The Rev. Mr. Cole.

Paris, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 1765. (page 424)

Dear sir, I have this moment received your letter, and as a courier is just setting out, I had rather take the opportunity of writing to you a short letter than defer it for a longer.

I had a very good passage, and pleasant journey, and find myself surprisingly recovered for the time.  Thank you for the good news you tell me of your coming:  it gives me great joy.