tablished herself at the Court of Naples, by dispensing James's. They say she is universally visited, except by those English prudes, the Countesses of Berkeley and Orford. I should not wonder if the former was to dethrone Lady Maynard by distributing Keysar's pills.*

P.S. I kept my letter open to the last minute, and am now vexed to tell you that the Public Advertiser misled me. Your nephew did speak yesterday, and very well; but not for the Administration.+ It surprises me much; for the last time I saw him, not a fortnight ago, his language was very different, as it was before Christmas; and I told you how much I encouraged him in those sentiments on your account; not that I think any man could be so unjust as to impute his deviations to you, who would be the last man upon earth to instil opposition into him. I hope he has no such intention, and that this sally will have no suite. It would be impossible for me, and so out of character that it would have no weight, to argue with him, when I have ever so totally condemned the American war, which has undone us; but I shall entreat him not to frequent the House, and to return to you, rather than act a part that would be unpleasing to you. I think if, in your gentle way,

*For the cure of a disgusting disease.

+ Though Sir Horace Mann, the younger, had voted against Mr. Fox's motion on the third instant, for a censure on the conduct of the Admiralty, he said he felt himself bound to give his full assent to an inquiry into the state of the Navy; seeing that the facts stated in the motion were matters of public notoriety, as well known without the House as within.-ED.

you lamented yourself to him, his congenial nature would be more struck than even if he had not acted contrary to your wishes. I have not time to say a word more - but do not torment yourself. Trust to your own merit; and, if your modesty is too great for that, call in philosophy, that is a real comforter, when coupled with the consciousness of having done our duty.

LETTER CCCII.

Arlington Street, March 22nd, 1779.

If your representative dignity is impaired westward, you may add to your eastern titles those of "Rose of India" and "Pearl of Pondicherry." " The latter gem is now set in one of the vacant sockets of the British diadem.

I have nothing to subjoin to this high-flown paragraph, that will at all keep pace with the majesty of it. I should have left to the Gazette to wish you joy, nor have begun a new letter without more materials, if I did not fear you would be still uneasy about your nephew. I hear he has, since his parenthesis, voted again with the Court ;† therefore he has

* After a most gallant defence by M. de Bellecombe, Pondicherry capitulated to the conjunct British forces under the command of MajorGeneral Munroe and Sir Edward Vernon, on the 17th of October, 1778. -ED.

+ This was on Mr. Dunning's motion, on the 15th, condemnatory of the Board of Admiralty, in so immediately directing a court-martial upon Admiral Keppel. In the course of this debate Mr. Fox declared, "that the man, the Earl of Sandwich (he named him), who deprived the country of two

probably not taken a new part, but only made a Pindaric transition on a particular question. I have seen him but twice since his arrival, and from both those visits I had no reason to expect he would act differently from what you wished. Perhaps it may never happen again. I go so little into the world, that I don't at all know what company he frequents. He talked so reasonably and tenderly with regard to you, that I shall be much deceived if he often gives you any inquietude.

The place of Secretary of State is not replenished yet. Several different successors have been talked of. At least, at present, there is a little chance of its being supplied by the Opposition. Their numbers have fallen off again, though they are more alert than they used to be. I do not love to foretell, because no Elijah left me his mantle, in which it seems the gift of prophecy resides; and, if I see clouds gathering, I less care to announce their contents to foreign post-offices. On the other hand, it is no secret, nor one to disguise if it were, that the French trade must suffer immensely by our captures.

Private news I know none. The Bishops are trying to put a stop to one staple commodity of that kind, Adultery. I do not suppose that they expect to lessen

of her bravest Admirals, Keppel and Howe, was a greater traitor to the nation than the man who, last year, set fire to the dock-yards.”—ED.

* The object of this bill was to discourage the crime of adultery, by fixing a brand of infamy on the adulteress, that might operate as a terror upon the mind. It was introduced by Dr. Shute Barrington, Bishop of Llandaff; who stated, that as many divorces had occurred in the seven

it; but, to be sure, it was grown to a sauciness that did call for a decenter veil. I do not think they have found out a good cure; and I am of opinion, too, that flagrancy proceeds from national depravity, which tinkering one branch will not remedy. Perhaps polished manners are a better proof of virtue in an age than of vice, though system-makers do not hold so : at least, decency has seldom been the symptom of a sinking nation.

When one talks on general themes, it is a sign of having little to say. It is not that there is a dearth of topics; but I only profess sending you information on events that really have happened, to guide you towards forming a judgment. At home, we are fed with magnificent hopes and promises that are never realized. For instance, to prove discord in America, Monsieur de la Fayette was said to rail at the Congress, and their whole system and transactions. There is just published an intercourse between them that exhibits enthusiasm in him towards their cause, and the highest esteem for him on their side.* For my part, I see

teen years of his Majesty's reign, as had taken place during the whole recorded history of the country. The bill passed the Lords, but was strongly opposed in the Commons by Mr. Fox, and thrown out by a majority of 51 against 40. In announcing the result to George Selwyn, Mr. Hare thus writes, "Charles Fox made a very fine speech, abounding in exellent morality. We are all beggars at Brookes's, and he threatens to leave the house, as it yields him no profit."-ED.

The Marquis de la Fayette arrived in Paris, from America, in February. Speaking of the return of the Marquis, Mr. Cooper, in a letter to Dr. Franklin, says, "He will do me the honour to be the bearer of this letter. This young nobleman has done honour to his nation, as well as to himself, by the manner in which he has served these

as little chance of recovering America as of re-conquering the Holy Land.* Still I do not amuse you with visions on either side, but tell you nakedly what advantage has been gained or lost. This caution abbreviates my letters; but, in general, you can depend on what I tell you. Adieu!

Tuesday 24th.

I hear this moment that an account is come this morning of D'Estaing with sixteen ships being blocked up by Byron at Martinico, and that Rowley with eight more was expected by the latter in a day or two. D'Estaing, it is supposed, will be starved to surrender, and the island too. I do not answer for this intelligence or consequences; but, if the first is believed, you may be sure the rest is.

States. His intrepidity and alertness in the field are highly distinguished. His prudence and good temper are equally remarkable. He is highly esteemed and beloved in Congress, in the army, and through the States; and though we are not without parties, and his situation has been sometimes very delicate, I have never heard that he has made a single enemy. He has gone through great fatigues, he has faced uncommon dangers, he has bled for our country, and leaves it, as far as I am able to find, with universal applause."—ED.

* In answer to a proposition for quitting the alliance with France, Dr. Franklin had, on the 3rd of February, thus written to David Hartley, "There does not appear any more necessity for dissolving an alliance with France, before you can treat with us, than there would of dissolving your alliance with Holland, or your union with Scotland, before we could treat with you! Thanks to God, we have long since settled all the account in our own minds: we know the worst you can do to us, if you have your wish, is, to confiscate our estates and take our lives, to rob and murder us; and this we have shown we are ready to hazard, rather than come again under your detested government."-ED.