nephew was with me this morning: I rejoice in what

you tell me of his views.

LETTER CCCXIX.

Berkeley Square, Dec. 20, 1779.

SINCE mine of the 30th of last month, I have not been able to write a line myself; nor can yet: the gout took and keeps possession of my right hand, and returned last week into the foot, knee, and wrist of the same side. I think it is again departing; but, like war, it makes many skirmishes after one thinks the campaign is over. Your nephew, I hope and believe, has written more than once in the interval; and, I suppose, given you a sketch of Parliamentary transactions, which, though warm enough, have produced no material event or alteration. The most important object of all even now in question has not received the least rub; and, which is better still, promises all appearance of being crowned with success. Great concessions to Ireland have been adopted, are sailing through both Houses with favourable gales, have been notified to Ireland, and have pleased there, and we trust will restore harmony between these islands. We have the sense to trespass on the formalities of Christmas, and for once prefer wisdom to going out of town the moment it is fashionable.*

* On the 1st of December Lord North had brought in his Propositions for the relief of the trade of Ireland. In speaking of the minister's speech

The holidays, however, are not without subjects of rejoicing; we have taken from Spain a sturdy fort on the Musquito shore, two rich register ships, and prejudiced them still more by bringing off the provision of quicksilver for their mines, which the captors nobly refused to restore for the large offer of three hundred thousand pounds. The generous tars, too, have admitted their companions the landmen into a participation of the booty. One sailor shines brighter than all their constellation: one of the first to mount the scaling-ladder, he jumped on the platform with a sabre in each hand; but, finding there a Spaniard swordless, the Briton, with the air of a Paladin, tossed one of his weapons to him, and said, "Now we are on equal terms !"

Having no more public events to tell you, I am sorry I must leap to a private story, in which there is far from being either bravery or gallantry, but which is savage enough to have been transmitted from the barbarians on the Musquito shore, whether Indian or Spanish; for the latter, who had previously taken a fort from us, had acted a little in the style of their original exploits in America. Well! but my story comes only 'cross the Irish Channel. Lord C., a

upon this occasion, Hardy, in his Memoirs of Lord Charlemont, says, "It is due to the memory of that most amiable man, to state, that his speech on moving the commercial resolutions was able, liberal, and conciliatory. It contains the amplest information on the subject. The resolutions which re-opened the woollen trade to Ireland, and gave us a freedom of commerce with the British colonies, on certain stipulations, were received in this country with joy and gratitude. Dublin was illuminated, and universal satisfaction prevailed."—ED.

recent peer of that kingdom and married to a great heiress there, a very amiable woman, had, however, a more favourite mistress. The nymph, like my lord, was no mirror of constancy, but preferred a younger, handsomer swain. The peer, frantic with jealousy, discovered an assignation, and, hiring four bravoes, broke in upon the lovers; when, presenting a pistol to the head of his rival, he bade him make instant option of being shot, or reduced to the inability of giving any man jealousy. The poor young man was so ungallant as to prefer a chance for life on any terms. The brutal lord ordered his four ruffians to seize the criminal, and with his own hand performed the bloody operation. The victim died the next day, the murderer escaped, but one of his accomplices is taken.

Dec. 21st.

We seem to have made a little eruption back into the year 1759, for victories have arrived, for two days together. D'Estaing is defeated, and wounded in two places, at the siege of the Savannah in Georgia, and has lost fifteen hundred men; so says the Extraordinary Gazette: but I must own there seems to be a great hiatus in the authority; for it comes from nobody concerned in the action, not even to those that sent it to us. Indeed, there is nothing contradictory that we have not believed about D'Estaing within these forty-eight hours: he himself, with four other ships and sixteen transports was sworn to be at the bottom of the sea, by one that saw them there,

or might have seen them there, as he was close by when they set out. Then he was landed in France; and then he was repulsed in Georgia; and then his whole fleet revives, and re-assembles, and blocks up the port of the Savannah and now he himself is indubitably at Paris, as letters thence last night positively affirm.* However, the Park and Tower guns firmly believe the Gazette's account, and huzza'd yesterday morning. I hope they were in the right, excepting on the entire existence of D'Estaing's squadron.

Well you may hold up your head a little vis à vis de Monsieur de Barbantan. If new triumphs do not pour in too fast, I hope to be able to write the next myself. At present I am party per pale, gout and health; but unluckily the former is on the dexter side, and makes it void.

* Count D'Estaing totally abandoned the coast of America early in November, and proceeded with the greater part of his fleet directly to France; the rest having returned to the West Indies. Such was the issue of his American campaign. The Count's character is thus drawn by Mr. Cooper, in a letter to Dr. Franklin -"I have the greatest respect for him.

His great talents as a commander; his intrepidity, vigilance, secrecy, assiduity, quick decision, prudence, and unabated affection to the common cause, united with a surprising command of himself in delicate circumstances, and on the most trying occasions, I can never sufficiently commend." D'Estaing commenced his career by serving in the East Indies under the unfortunate M. Lally, when he was taken prisoner by the English, and sent home on his parole. Having engaged in hostilities again before he had been regularly exchanged, he was taken again, and imprisoned at Portsmouth. On obtaining his freedom he vowed eternal hatred to the English, which he endeavoured to wreak during the American war. At the capture of the island of Grenada he distinguished himself. Becoming a victim in the proscriptions of 1793, he suffered under the guillotine, as a counter-revolutionist, in the following year.-ED.

LETTER CCCXX.

Berkeley Square, Jan. 4, 1780.

I AM going to write a short letter in quantity, but a very serious one in matter. A stroke has been struck that seems pregnant with another war-a war with Holland. Advice had been received of large supplies of naval stores being ready to sail for Brest, furnished by the warm friends of France, the Amsterdammers; stores essential to the re-equipment of the French navy, and as repugnant to the treaties subsisting between us and the States. These merchantmen proposed to take advantage of a convoy going to the Levant and other places, the States not countenancing that manoeuvre. It was determined not to wink at such an outrage, but to hazard complaints or resentment, when such a blow could be given to the farther enterprizes of our capital enemies. Captain Fielding, with five men-of-war of the line, was ordered to seize the whole counterband trade, and has executed what he could. He has brought into Plymouth eight merchantmen and three men-of-war, with their Admiral. The latter refused to allow a search; some shot were exchanged, but in air, on both sides, and then the Dutchmen struck. Fielding desired him to re-hoist his flag, but he refused, and said he must accompany his convoy; thus creating himself a pri

soner.

I have related this event as vaguely-that is, as cautiously-as I could: first, because I know no particulars