I peeped at London last week, and found a tolerably full opera.  But now the birthday is over, I suppose every body will go to waters and races till his Majesty of Denmark arrives.  He is extremely amorous; but stays so short a time, that the ladies who Intended to be undone must not hagle.  They must do their business in the twinkling of an allemande, or he will be flown.  Don’t you think he will be a little surprised, when he inquires for the seriglio in Buckingham-house, to find, in full of all accounts, two old Mecklenburgheresses?

Is it true that Lady Rockingham is turned Methodist?  It will be a great acquisition to the sect to have their hymns set by Giardini.  I hope Joan Huntingdon will be deposed, if the husband becomes first minister.  I doubt, too, the saints will like to call at Canterbury and Winchester in their way to heaven.  My charity is so small, that I do not think their virtue a jot more obdurate than that of patriots.

We have had some severe rain; but the season is now beautiful, though scarce hot.  The hay and the corn promise that we shall have no riots on their account.  Those black dogs the whiteboys or coal-heavers are dispersed or taken; and I really- see no reason to think we shall have another rebellion this fortnight.  The most comfortable event to me is, that we shall have no civil war all the summer at Brentford.  I dreaded two kings there; but the writ for Middlesex will not be issued till the Parliament meets; so there will be no pretender against King Glynn.(1037) As I love peace, and have done with politics, I quietly acknowledge the King de facto; and hope to pass and repass unmolested through his Majesty’s long, lazy, lousy capital.(1038)

My humble duty to my Lady Strafford and all her pheasants.  I have just made two cascades; but my naiads are fools to Mrs. Chetwynd or my Lady Sondes, and don’t give me a gallon of water in a week.—­Well, this is a very silly letter!  But you must take the will for the deed.  Adieu, my dear Lord!  Your most faithful servant.

(1037) Serjeant Glynn, Member of Parliament for Middlesex.

(1038) Brentford.

Letter 347 To Monsieur De Voltaire.  Strawberry Hill, July 27, 1768. (page 525)

One can never, Sir, be sorry to have been in the wrong, when one’s errors are pointed out to one in so obliging and masterly a manner.  Whatever opinion I may have of Shakspeare, I should think him to blame, if he could have seen the letter you have done me the honour to -write to me, and yet not conform to the rules you have there laid down.  When he lived, there had not been a Voltaire both to give laws to the stage, and to show on what good sense those laws were founded.  Your art, Sir, goes still farther:  for you have supported your arguments, without having recourse to the best authority, your own words.  It was My interest perhaps to defend barbarism and irregularity.  A great genius is