The two knotting-bags from Madame Geoffrin went away by a clergyman two days ago; and I concerted all the tricks the doctor and I could think of, to elude the vigilance of the customhouse officers.

With this, I send your ladyship the Orpheline Legu`ee:  its intended name was the Anglomanie, my only reason for sending it; for it has little merit, and had as slender success, being acted but five times.  However, there is nothing else new.

The Dauphin continues in the same languishing and hopeless state, but with great coolness and firmness.  Somebody gave him t’other day “The Preparation for Death:"(913) he said, “C’est la nouvelle du jour.”

I have nothing more to say, but what I have always to say, Madam, from the beginning of my letters to the end, that I am your ladyship’s most obliged and most devoted humble servant.

Nov. 28, three o’clock.

Oh, Madam, Madam, Madam, what do you think I have found since I wrote my letter this morning?  I am out of my wits!  Never was any thing like my luck; it never forsakes me!  I have found Count Grammont’s picture!  I believe I shall see company upon it, certainly keep the day holy.  I went to the Grand Augustins to see the pictures of the reception of’ the knights of the Holy Ghost:  they carried me into a chamber full of their portraits; I was looking for Bassompierre; my laquais de louage opened a door, and said, “Here are more.”  One of the first that struck me was Philibert Comte de Grammont!(914) It is old, not at all handsome, but has a great deal of finesse in the countenance.  I shall think of nothing now but having it copied.  If I had seen or done nothing else, I should be content with my journey hither.

(913) The title of a French book of devotion.

(914) The witty Count de Grammont, who married Elizabeth, daughter of Sir George Hamilton, fourth son of James first Earl of Abercorn, by Mary, third sister of James first Duke of Ormond.  Tradition reports, that Grammont, who is not recorded to have been a men of personal courage, having attached, if not engaged himself to Hamilton, went off abruptly for France:  the Count George Hamilton pursued and overtook him at Dover, when he thus addressed him:  “My dear friend, I believe you have forgot a circumstance that should take place before you return to France.”  To which Grammont answered, “True, my dear friend; what a memory I have!  I quite forgot that I was to marry your sister; but I will instantly accompany you back to London and rectify that forgetfulness.”  His celebrated Memoirs were written by his brother-in-law, Anthony, generally called Count Hamilton, who followed the fortunes of James the Second, and afterwards entered the French service.-E.

Letter 283 To The Hon. H. S. Conway.  Paris, Nov. 29, 1765. (page 448)

As I answered your short letter with a very long one, I shall be shorter in answer to your long, which I received late last night from Fontainbleau:  it is not very necessary:  but as Lord William Gordon sets out for England on Monday, I take that opportunity.