The Duke of Richmond is still at Aubign`e:  I wonder he stays, for it is the hardest frost alive.  Mr. Hume does not go to Ireland; where your brother finds he would by no means be welcome.  I have a notion he will stay here till Your brother’s return.

The Duc de Praslin, it is said, will retire at Christmas.  As La Borde, the great banker of the court, is trying to retire too, my consul, who is much connected with La Borde, suspects that Choiseul is not very firm himself.  I have supped with Monsieur de Maurepas, and another night, with Marshal Richelieu:  the first is extremely agreeable and sensible; and, I am glad, not minister.  The other is an old piece of tawdry, worn out, but endeavouring to brush itself up; and put me in mind of Lord Chesterfield, for they laugh before they know what he has said—­ and are in the right, for I think they would not laugh afterwards.

I send Lady Ailesbury the words and music of the prettiest opera comique in the world.  I wish I could send her the actors too.  Adieu!

December 9.

Lord Ossory put off his journey; which stopped this letter, and it will now go by Mr. Andrew Stuart.

The face of things is changed here; which I am impatient to tell you, that you may see it is truth, not system, which I pique myself on sending you.  The vigour of the court has frightened the Parliaments.  That of Pau has submitted.  The procureurs, etc of Rennes, who, it was said, would not plead before the new commission, were told, that if they did not plead the next day they should be hanged without a trial.  No bribe ever operated faster!  I heard t’other day, that some Spanish minister, I forget his name, being dead, Squillace would take his department, and Grimaldi have that of the West Indies.  He is the worst that could have it, as we have no greater enemy.

The Dauphin is certainly alive, but in the most shocking way possible; his bones worn through his skin, a great swelling behind, and so relaxed, that his intestines appear from that part; and yesterday the mortification was suspected.

I have received a long letter from Lady Ailesbury, for which I give her a thousand thanks; and would answer it directly, if I had not told you every thing I know.  The Duke and Duchess of Richmond are, I hear, at Fontainbleau:  the moment they return, I will give the Duchess Lady Ailesbury’s commission.

Letter 285 To The Countess Of Suffolk.(916) Paris, Dec. 5, 1765; but does not set out till the 11th. (page 451)

Madam, Miss Hotham need not be in pain for what to say when she gives me an account of your ladyship; which is all the trouble I thought of giving her.  If she could make those accounts more favourable, I should be better pleased; but I know what an untractable brute the gout is, and the joy it takes in plaguing every body that is connected with it.  We have the sharpest frost here that ever lived; it has done