I went several times to Madame do Monconseil’s, who is just what you say.  Mesdames de Tingri et de la Vauguion I never saw:  Madame de Noailles once or twice, and enough.  You say something of Madame de Mallet, which I could not read; for, by the way, your brother and I agree that you are grown not to write legibly:  is that lady in being?  I knew her formerly.  Madame de Blot(155) I know, and Monsieur de Paulmy I know; but for Heaven’s sake who is Colonel Conway?(156) Mademoiselle Sanadon is la sana donna, and not Mademoiselle Celadon,(157) as you call her.  Pray assure my good Monsieur Schouwalov(158)of my great regard:  he is one of the best of beings.

I have said all I could, at least all I should.  I reserve the rest of my paper for a postscript; for this is but Saturday, and my letter cannot depart till Tuesday:  but I could not for one minute defer answering your charming volumes, which interest me so much.  I grieve for Lady Harriet’s swelled face, and wish for both their sakes .She could transfer it to her father.  I assure her I meant nothing by desiring you to see the verses to the Princess Christine,(159) wherein there is very profane mention of a pair of swelled cheeks.  I hear nothing of Madame d’Olonne.  Oh! make Madame du Deffand show you the sweet portrait of Madame de Prie, the Duke of Bourbon’s mistress.  Have you seen Madame de Monaco, and the remains of Madame de Brionne?  If -you wish to see Mrs. A * * *, ask for the Princesse de Ligne.  If you have seen Monsieur de Maurepas, you have seen the late Lord Hardwicke.(160) By your not naming him, I suppose the Duc de Nivernois, is not at Paris.  Say a great deal for me to M. de Guisnes..  You will not see my passion, the Duchess de Chatillon. if You see Madame de Nivernois, you will think the Duke of Newcastle is come to life again.  Alas! where is my Postscript?  Adieu!  Yours ever.

(149) Written by General Burgoyne.  Walpole’s opinion of the General’s abilities as a writer totally changed upon the appearance of “The Heiress”, which he always called the greatest comedy in the English language.-E.

(150) The Duc de la Vali`ere:  whom Mr. Conway had said, that, when presented to him, “his reception was what might be called good but rather de protection.”

(151) The Chevalier de Boufflers; well known for his “Letters from Switzerland,” addressed to his mother; his “Reine de Golconde,” a tale; and a number of very pretty vers de soci`et`e.-E.

(152) Madame de Cambis.-E.

(153) See another ludicrous description of this garden in a letter to Mr. Chute; ante, P. 55, letter 31.-E.

(154) This alludes to Mr. Conway’s presentation to the King of France, Louis XVI. at Fontainbleau, of which, in his letter to Mr. Walpole he gives the following account:—­ “on St. Hubert’s day in the morning I had the honour of being presented to the King:  ’twas a good day, and an excellent deed.  You may be sure I was well received! the French are so polite! and their court so Polished!  The Emperor, indeed, talked to me every day; so did the King of Prussia, regularly and much; but that was not to be compared to the extraordinary reception of his most Christian Majesty, who, when I was presented, did not stop nor look to see what sort of an animal was offered to his notice, but carried his head, as it seemed, somewhat higher, and passed his way.”