The Countess of Albany(793) is not only in England, in London, but at this very moment, I believe, in the palace of St. James’s—­not restored by as rapid a revolution as the French, but, as was observed last night at supper at Lady Mount-Edgcumbe’s, by that topsy-turvyhood that characterizes the present age.  Within these two months the Pope has been burnt at Paris; Madame du Barry, mistress of Louis Quinze, has dined with the Lord Mayor of London, and the Pretender’s widow is presented to the Queen of Great Britain!  She is to be introduced by her great-grandfather’s niece, the young Countess of Ailesbury.(794) That curiosity should bring her hither, I do not quite wonder-still less that she abhorred her husband; but methinks it is not very well bred to his family, nor very sensible; but a new way of passing eldest.

Apropos:  I hear there is a medal struck at Rome of her brother-in-law, as Henry the Ninth; which, as one of their Papal majesties was so abominably mean as to deny the royal title to his brother, though for Rome he had lost a crown, I did not know they allow his brother to assume.  I should be much obliged to you if you could get one of those medals in copper; ay, and of his brother, if there was one with the royal title.  I have the father’s and mother’s, and all the Popes’, in copper; but my Pope, Benedict the Fourteenth, is the last, and therefore I should be glad of one of each of his successors, if you can procure and bring them with little trouble.  I should not be sorry to have one of the Grand Duke and his father; but they should be in copper, not only for my suite, but they are sharper than in silver.

Thursday night.

Well!  I have had an exact account of the interview of the two Queens, from one who stood close to them.  The dowager was announced as Princess of Stolberg.  She was well-dressed, and not at all embarrassed.  The King talked to her a good deal; but about her passage’ the sea, and general topics:  the Queen in the same way, but less.  Then she stood between the Dukes of Gloucester and Clarence, and had a good deal of conversation with the former; who, perhaps, may have met her in Italy.  Not a word between her and the Princesses:  nor did I hear of the Prince, but he was there, and probably spoke to her.  The Queen looked at her earnestly.  To add to the singularity of the day, it is the Queen’s birthday.  Another odd accident:  at the Opera at the Pantheon, Madame d’Albany was carried into the King’s box, and sat there.  It is not of a piece with her going to court, that she seals with the royal arms.  I have been told to-night, that you will not be able to get me a medal of the royal Cardinal, as very few were struck, and only for presents; so pray give yourself but little trouble about it.

Boswell has at last published his long-promised Life of Dr. Johnson, in two volumes in quarto.  I will give you an account of it when I have gone through it.  I have already perceived, that in writing the history of Hudibras, Ralpho has not forgot himself nor will others, I believe, forget him!