The house at Twickenham with which you fell in love, is still unmarried; but they ask a hundred and thirty pounds a-year for it.  If they asked one hundred and thirty thousand pounds for it, perhaps my Lord Clive might snap it up; but that not being the case, I don’t doubt but it will fall, and I flatter myself, that you and it may meet at last upon reasonable terms.  That of General Trapaud is to be had at fifty pounds a-year, but with a fine on entrance of five hundred pounds.  As I propose to return by the beginning of October, perhaps I may see you, and then you may review both.  Since the loss of poor Lady Suffolk, I am more desirous than ever of having you in my neighbourhood, as I have not a rational acquaintance left.  Adieu!

(993) Madame du Deffand.  The following passages from her letters to Walpole will best explain the reasons which induced him to undertake the journey:—­“Paris, 5 Juillet.  Je crois entrevoir que votre s`ejour ici vous inqui`ete, et que la complaisance qui vous am`ene vous coute beaucoup; mais, mon Tuteur, songez au plaisir que vous me ferez, quelle sera ma reconnaissance.  Je ne vous dirai point combien cette visite m’est necessaire; vous jugerez par vous-m`eme si je vous en ai impose sur rien, et si vous pourrez jamais vous repentir des marques d’amiti`e que vous m’avez donn`ees.  Mon Dieu! que nous aurons de sujets de conversations!”—­“Dimanche, 23 Ao`ut.  Enfin, enfin, il n’y a plus de mer qui nous s`epare; j’ai l’esperance de vous voir d`ees aujoqrd’hui.  J’ai pri`e hier Madame Simonetti d’envoyer chez moi au moment de votre arriv`ee; si vous voulez venir chez MOi, comme j’esp`ere, vous aurez sur le champ mon carrosse.  Je me flatte que demain vous dinerez et souperez avec moi t`ete-`a-t`ete; nous en aurons bien `a dire.  Sans cette maudite compagnie que j’ai si sottement rassembl`ee, vous m’auriez trouv`ee chez vous `a la d`escente de votre chaise; cela vous auroit fort d`eplu, mais je m’en serois mocqu`ee.”  Madame Simonetti kept the H`otel garni du Parc Royal, Rue du Colombie.  In a journal which Walpole kept of this journey to Paris, is the following entry:—­“August 23.  Arrived at Paris a quarter before seven; at eight, to Madame du Deffand’s; found the Clairon acting Agrippine and Ph`edre.  Not tall; but I liked her acting better than I expected.  Supped there with her, and the Duchesse de Villeroi, d’Aiguillon, etC. etc."-E.

Letter 330 To The Hon. H. S. Conway.(994) Paris, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 1767. (page 504)

Last night by Lord Rochford’s courier, we heard of Townshend’s death;(995) for which indeed your letter had prepared me.  As a man of incomparable parts, and most entertaining to a spectator, I regret his death.  His good-humour prevented one from hating him, and his levity from loving him; but, in a political light, I own I cannot look upon it as a misfortune.  His treachery alarmed me, and I apprehended every thing from it.  It was not advisable to throw him into the arms of the Opposition.  His death avoids both kinds of mischief.  I take for granted you will have Lord North for chancellor of the exchequer.(996) He is very inferior to Charles in parts; but what he wants in those, will be supplied by firmness and spirit.