(998) Mr. Robert Wood.  He was under-secretary of state at the time of the treaty of Paris.-E.

Letter 331 To The Rev. Mr. Cole.  Arlington Street, Oct. 24, 1767. (page 505)

Dear Sir, It is an age since we have had any correspondence.  My long and dangerous illness last year, with my journey to Bath; my long attendance in Parliament all winter, spring, and to the beginning of summer:  and my journey to France since, from whence I returned but last week,(999) prevented my asking the pleasure Of Seeing you at Strawberry Hill.

I wish to hear that you have enjoyed your health, and shall be glad of any news of you.  The season is too late, and the Parliament too near opening, for me to propose a winter journey to you. if you should happen to think at all of London, I trust you would do me the favour to call on me.  In short, this is only a letter of inquiry after you, and to show you that I am always most truly yours.

(999) Walpole left Paris the 9th of October; on the morning of which Madame du Deffand thus resumes her correspondence with him:—­“Que de lachet`e, de faiblesse, et de ridicules je vous ai laiss`e voir!  Je m’`etais bien promis le contrire; mais, mais—­ oubliez tout cela, pardonnez-le moi, mon Tuteur, et ne pensez plus `a votre Petite que pour vous dire qu’elle est raisonnable, ob`eissante, et par-dessus tout reconnaissante; que son respect, oui, je dis respect, que sa crainte, mais sa crainte filiale, son tendre mais s`erieux attachement, feront jusqu’`a son dernier moment le bonheur de sa vie.  Qu’importe d’`etre vielle, d’`etre aveugle; qu’importe le lieu qu’on habite; qu’importe que tout ce qui environne soit sot ou Extravagant:  quand l’`ame est fortement occup`ee, il ne lui manque rien que l’objet qui l’occupe; et quand cet objet repond `a ce qu’on sent pour lui, on n’a plus rien desirer."-E.

Letter 332 To George Montagu, Esq.  Strawberry Hill, Sunday, Nov. 1, 1767. (page 506)

The house is taken that you wot of, but I believe you may have General Trapaud’s for fifty pounds a-year, and a fine of two hundred and fifty, which is less by half, look you, than you was told at first.  A jury of matrons, composed of Lady Frances, my Dame Bramston, Lady Pembroke, and Lady Carberry, and the merry Catholic Lady Brown, have sat upon it, and decide that you should take it.  But you must come and treat in person, and may hold the congress here.  I hear Lord Guildford is much better, so that the exchequer will still find you in funds.  You will not dislike to hear, shall you, that Mr Conway does not take the appointments of secretary of state. if it grows the fashion to give up above five thousand pounds a-year, this ministry will last for ever; for I do not think the Opposition will struggle for places without salaries.  If my Lord Ligonier does not go to heaven, or Sir Robert Rich to the devil soon, our General will run considerably in debt; but he had better be too poor than too rich.  I would not have him die like old Pulteney, loaded with the spoils of other families and the crimes of his own.  Adieu!  I will not write to you any more, so you may as well come.  Yours ever.