Mr. Gibbon writes that he has seen Necker, and found him still devoured by ambition.(750) and I should think by mortification at the foolish figure he has made.  Gibbon admires Burke to the skies, and even the religious parts, he says.(751)

Monday evening.

The east winds are making me amends -, one of them has brought me twins.  I am sorry to find that even Pisa’s sky is not quite sovereign, but that you have both been out of order, though, thank God! quite recovered both, If a Florentine March is at all like an English one, I hope you will not remove thither till April.  Some of its months, I am sure, were sharper than those of our common wear are.  Pray be quite easy about me:  I am entirely recovered, though, if change were bad, we have scarce had one day without every variety of bad weather, with a momentary leaf-gold of sun.  I have been out three times, and to-day have made five and-twenty visits, and was let in at six; and, though a little fatigued, am still able, you see, to finish my letter.  You seem to think I palliated my illness — I certainly did not tell you that I thought it doubtful how it would end; yet I told you all & circumstances, and surely did not speak sanguinely.

I wish, in No. 20, you had not again named October or November.  I have quite given up those months, and am vexed I ever pressed for them, as they would break into Your reasonable plans, for which I abandon any foolish ones of my own.  But I am a poor philosopher, or rather am like all philosophers, have no presence of mind, and must study my part before I can act it.  I have now settled myself not to expect you this year-do not unsettle me:  I dread a disappointment, as I do a relapse of the gout; and therefore cut this article short, that I may not indulge vain hopes, My affection for you both is unalterable; can I give so strong a proof as by supplicating you, as I do earnestly, to act as is most prudent for your healths and interest?  A long journey in November would be the very worst part you could take. and I beseech you not to think of it:  for me, you see I take a great deal of killing, nor is it so easy to die as is imagined.

Thank you, my dearest Miss Agnes, for your postscript.  I love to see your handwriting; and yet do not press for it, as you are shy:  though I address myself equally to both, and consult the healths of both In what I have recommended above.  Here is a postscript for yours:  Madame du Barry was to go and swear to her jewels before the Lord Mayor.  Boydell, who is a little better bred than Monsieur Bailly,(752) made excuses for being obliged to administer the oath chez lui, but begged she would name her hour; and, when she did, he fetched her himself in the state-coach, and had a mayor-royal banquet ready for her.(753) She has got most of her jewels again.  I want the King to send her four Jews to the National Assembly, and tell them it is the change or la monnoie of Lord George Gordon, the Israelite.