Methinks, however, it is a little hard on Lord George Germaine, that in four months after seeing a Duchess of Dorset, he may see a Lord Middlesex too; for so old the egg is said to be, that is already prepared.  If this trade goes on, half the peeresses will have two eldest sons with both fathers alive at the same time.  Lady Holderness expresses nothing but grief and willingness to receive her daughter(334) again on any terms, which probably will happen; for the daughter has already opened her eyes, is sensible of her utter ruin, and has written to Lord Carmarthen and Madam Cordon, acknowledging her guilt, and begging to be remembered only with pity, which is sufficient to make one pity her.

I would beg pardon for so long a letter, but your ladyship desired the intelligence, and I know a long letter from London is not uncomfortable at Christmas, even. in the most comfortable house in the country.  Perhaps my own forced idleness has a little contributed to lengthen it; still I hope it implies great readiness to obey your ladyship’s commands, in your most obedient humble servant.

(331) Now first printed.

(332) Lady Browne’s first husband was Henry Fermor Esq., grandfather of Mr. Fermor of Tusmore House.  She was Miss Sheldon.-E.

(333) Some charges having been brought against Admiral Keppel for his conduct at the battle of Ushant, by Sir Hugh Palliser, his vice-admiral, he was tried for the same, and not only unanimously acquitted, but the prosecution declared malicious.  This verdict gave such general satisfaction, that London was illuminated for two nights; upon one, of which a mob, consisting in great part of sailors who had served under Keppel, broke all the windows in the house of his accuser.  The city of London voted the Admiral the freedom of the corporation.  In 1782, he was Created Viscount Keppel, and appointed first lord of the admiralty.  He died unmarried, in October 1786.  The following is a part of Mr. Burke’s beautiful panegyric on him, at the conclusion of his letter to a noble Lord:—­“I ever looked on Lord Keppel as one of the greatest and best men of his age, and I loved and cultivated him accordingly.  It was at his trial that he gave me this picture.  With what zeal and anxious affection I attended him through that his agony of glory; what part my son took in the early flush and enthusiasm of his virtue, and the pious passion with which he attached himself to all my connexions; with what prodigality we both squandered ourselves in courting almost every sort of enmity for his sake, I believe he felt, just as I should have felt such friendship on such an occasion.  I partook, indeed, of this honour with several of the first, and best, and ablest in the kingdom; but I was behind with none of them — and I am sure that if, to the eternal disgrace of this nation, and to the total annihilation of every trace of honour and virtue in it, things had taken a different turn from what they did, I should have attended him to the quarterdeck with no less good-will and more pride, though with far other feelings, than I partook of the general flow of national joy that attended the justice that was done to his virtue."-E.