I came to town to-day on purpose to see Stosch, who has been arrived some days; and to offer him all manner, of civilities on your account—­when indeed they can be of no use to him, for there is not a soul in town.  There was a wild report last week of the plague being in St. Thomas’s Hospital, and to be sure Stosch must believe there is some truth in it, for there is not a coach to be seen, the streets are new paving, and the houses new painting, just as it is always at this season.  I told him if he had a mind to see London, he must go to Huntingdon races, Derby races, Stafford races, Warwick races-that is the fashionable route this year-alas!  I am going part of it; the Duchess of Grafton and Loo are going to the Duke of Devonshire’s, Lord Gower’s, and Lord Hertford’s; but I shall contrive to arrive after every race is over.  Stosch delivered me the parcel safe, and I should have paid him for your Burgundy, but found company with him, and thought it not quite so civil to offer it at the first interview, lest it should make him be taken for a wine-merchant.  He dines with me on Tuesday at Strawberry Hill, when I shall find an opportunity.  He is going for a few days to Wanstead, and then for three months to a clergyman’s in Yorkshire, to learn English.  Apropos, you did not tell me why he comes; is it to sell his uncle’s collection?  Let me know before winter on what foot I must introduce him, for I would fain return a few of the thousand civilities you have showed at my recommendation.

The hereditary Prince has been beaten, and has beaten, with the balance on his side; but though the armies are within a mile of one another, I don’t think it clear there will be a battle, as we may lose much more than we can get.  A defeat will cost Hanover and Hesse; a victory cannot be vast enough to leave us at liberty to assist the King of Prussia.  He gave us a little advantage the other day; outwitted Daun, and took his camp and magazines, and aimed at Dresden; but to-day the siege is raised.  Daun sometimes misses himself, but never loses himself.  It is not the fashion to admire him, but for my part, I should think it worth while to give the Empress a dozen Wolfes and Dauns, to lay aside the cautious Marshal.  Apropos to Wolfe, I cannot Imagine what you mean by a design executing at Rome for his tomb.  The designs have been laid before my lord chamberlain several months; Wilton, Adam, Chambers, and others, all gave in their drawings immediately; and I think the Duke of Devonshire decided for the first.  Do explain this to me, or get a positive explanation. of it-and whether any body is drawing for Adam or Chambers.

Mr. Chute and Mr. Bentley, to whom I showed your accounts of the Papa-Portuguese war, were infinitely diverted, as I was too, with it.  The Portuguese, “who will turn Jews not Protestants,” and the Pope’s confession, “which does more honour to his sincerity than to his infallibility,” are delightful.  I will tell you who will neither, turn Jew nor Protestant, Day, nor Methodist, which is much more in fashion than either—­Monsieur Fuentes will not; he has given the Virgin Mary (who he fancies hates public places, because he never met her at one,) his honour that he never will go to any more.  What a charming sort of Spanish Ambassador!  I wish they always sent us such-the worst they can do, is to buy half a dozen converts.