talked so Much of my own cracks, had I had any thing else to tell you.  It would be silly to aim at vivacity when it is gone:  and, though a lively old man is sometimes an agreeable being, a pretending old man is ridiculous.  Aches and an apothecary cannot give one genuine spirits; ’tis sufficient if they do not make one peevish’ Your lordship is so kind as to accept of me as I am, and you shall find nothing more counterfeit in me than the sincere respect and gratitude with which I have the honour to be your lordship’s most devoted humble servant.

Letter 265 To The Earl Of Strafford.  Strawberry Hill, Oct. 11, 1783. (page 334)

My rheumatism, I thank your lordship, is certainly better, though not quite gone.  It was very troublesome at night till I took the bark; but that medicine makes me sleep like opium.  But I will say no more about it, nothing is so troublesome as to talk of chronical complaints:  has one any right to draw on the compassion of others, when one must renew the address daily and for months?

The aspect of Ireland is very tempestuous.(505) I doubt they will hurt us materially without benefiting themselves.  If they obtain very short parliaments, they will hurt themselves more than us, by introducing a confusion that will prevent their improvements.  Whatever country does adopt short parliaments, will, I am entirely persuaded, be forced to recur to their former practice; I mean, if the disorders introduced do not produce despotism of some sort or other.  I am very sorry Mr. Mason concurs in trying to revive the Associations.(506) Methinks our state is so deplorable, that every healing measure ought to be attempted instead of innovations.  For my own part, I expect nothing but distractions, and am not concerned to be so old.  I am so old, that, were I disposed to novelties, I should think they little became my age.  I should be ashamed, when my hour shall come, to be caught in a riot of country squires and parsons, and haranguing a mob with a shaking head.  A leader of faction ought to be young and vigorous.  If an aged gentleman does get an ascendant, he may be sure that younger men are counting on his exit, and only flatter him to succeed to his influence, while they are laughing at his misplaced activity.  At least, these would be my thoughts, who of all things dread being a jest to the juvenile, if they find me out of my sphere.

I have seen Lord Carlisle’s play, and it has a great deal of merit—­perhaps more than your lordship would expect.  The language and images are the best part, after the two principal scenes, which are really fine.(507)

I did, as your lordship knows and says, always like and esteem Lady Fitzwilliam.  I scarce know my lord; but, from what I have heard of him in the House of Lords, have conceived a good opinion of his sense; of his character I never heard any ill; which is a great testimonial in his favour, when there are so many horrid characters, and when all that are conspicuous have their minutest actions tortured to depose against them.