If you hear of us no oftener than we of you, you will be as much behindhand in news as my Lady Lyttelton.  We have seen a traveller that saw you in your island,(356) but it sounds like hearing of Ulysses.  Well! we must be content.  You are not only not dethroned, but owe the safety of your dominions to your own skill in fortification. if we do not hear of your extending your conquests, why, is it not less than all our modern heroes have done, whom prophets have foretold and gazettes celebrated—­or who have foretold and celebrated themselves.  Pray be content to be cooped up in an island that has no neighbours, when the Howes and Clintons and Dunmores and Burgoynes and Campbells are not yet got beyond the great river—­ Inquiry!(357) To-day’s papers say, that the little Prince of Orange(358) is to invade you again; but we trust Sir James Wallace has clipped his wings so close, that they will not grow again this season, though he is so ready to fly.

Nothing material has happened since I wrote last-so, as every moment of a civil war is precious, every one has been turned to the interest of diversion.  There have been three masquerades, an Installation, and the ball of the knights at the Haymarket this week; not to mention Almack’s festino, Lady Spencer’s, Ranelagh and Vauxhall, operas and plays.  The Duchess of Bolton too saw masks—­so many, that the floor gave way, and the company in the dining-room were near falling on the heads of those in the parlour, and exhibiting all that has not yet appeared in Doctors’ Commons.  At the knights’ ball was such a profusion of strawberries, that people could hardly get into the supper-room.  I could tell you more, but I do not love to exaggerate.  Lady Ailesbury told me this morning that Lord Bristol has got a calf with two feet to each leg—­I am convinced it is by the Duchess of Kingston, who has got two of every thing where others have but one.(359) Adieu!  I am going to sup with Mrs. Abington—­and hope Mrs. Clive will not hear of it.

(356) Mr. Conway was now at his government of Jersey.

(357) The parliamentary inquiry which took place in the House of Commons on the conduct of the American war.

(358) The Prince of Nassau, who had commanded the attack upon Jersey, claiming relationship to the great house of Nassau Mr. Walpole calls him the “little Prince of Orange.”  Gibbon, in a letter to Mr. Holroyd, of the 7th, says, “You have heard of the Jersey invasion; every body praises Arbuthnot’s decided spirit.  Conway went last night to throw himself into the island."-E.

(359) “Do you know, my lord,” said the Duchess, then Miss Chudleigh, to Lord Chesterfield, “the world says I have had twins!” “Does it?” said his lordship; “I make a point of believing only one-half of what it says."-E.

Letter 171 To The Rev. Mr. Cole.  Strawberry Hill, June 2, 1779. (page 222)