Stosch, who is settled at Salisbury, has writ to me to recommend him to somebody or other as a travelling governor or companion.  I would if I knew any body:  but who travels now?  He says you have notified his intention to me-so far from it, I have not heard from you this age:  I never was so long without a letter--but you don’t take Montreals and Canadas every now and then.  You repose like the warriors in Germany-at least I hope so—­I trust no ill health has occasioned your silence.  Adieu!

(107) General Sir Jeffrey Amherst distinguished himself in the war with the French in America.  He was subsequently created a peer, and made commander-in-chief.-D.

(108) The large armament, intended for a secret expedition and collected at Portsmouth, was detained there the whole summer, but the design was laid aside.-E.

(109) Maria Gunning, Countess of Coventry.

(110) In Steele’s “Tender Husband”

(111) Lionel Tolmache, Earl of Dysart, lived at Ham House, over against Twickenham.

Letter 48 To George Montagu, Esq.  Strawberry Hill, Oct. 14, 1760. (page 92)

If you should see in the newspapers, that I have offered to raise a regiment at Twickenham, am going with the expedition, and have actually kissed hands, don’t believe it; though I own, the two first would not be more surprising than the last.  I will tell you how the calamity befell me, though you will laugh instead of pitying me.  Last Friday morning, I was very tranquilly writing my Anecdotes of Painting,—­I heard the bell at the gate ring—­I called out, as usual, “Not at home;” but Harry, who thought it would be treason to tell a lie, when he saw red liveries, owned I was, and came running up:  “Sir, the Prince of Wales is at the door, and says he is come on purpose to make you a visit!” There was I, in the utmost confusion, undressed, in my slippers, and my hair about my ears; there was no help, insanunt vetem aspiciet--and down I went to receive him.  Him was the Duke of York.  Behold my breeding of the old court; at the foot of the stairs I kneeled down, and kissed his hand.  I beg your uncle Algernon Sidney’s pardon, but I could not let the second Prince of the blood kiss my hand first.  He was, as he always is, extremely good-humoured; and I, as I am not always, extremely respectful.  He stayed two hours, nobody with him but Morrison; I showed him all my castle, the pictures of the Pretender’s sons, and that type of the Reformation, Harry the Eighth’s ——­, moulded into a to the clock he gave Anne Boleyn. — But observe my luck; he would have the sanctum sanctorum in the library opened:  about a month ago I removed the MSS. in another place.  All this is very well; but now for the consequences; what was I to do next?  I have not been in a court these ten years, consequently have never kissed hands in the next reign.  Could I let a Duke of York visit me, and never go to thank