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<h2> LETTER CCXXII </h2>
<h3> BLACKHEATH, May 30, 1758. </h3>
<p>MY DEAR FRIEND: I have no letter from you to answer, so this goes to you
unprovoked. But 'a propos' of letters; you have had great honor done you,
in a letter from a fair and royal hand, no less than that of her Royal
Highness the Princess of Cassel; she has written your panegyric to her
sister, Princess Amelia, who sent me a compliment upon it. This has
likewise done you no harm with the King, who said gracious things upon
that occasion. I suppose you had for her Royal Highness those attentions
which I wish to God you would have, in due proportions, for everybody. You
see, by this instance, the effects of them; they are always repaid with
interest. I am more confirmed by this in thinking, that, if you can
conveniently, you should ask leave to go for a week to Cassel, to return
your thanks for all favors received.</p>
<p>I cannot expound to myself the conduct of the Russians. There must be a
trick in their not marching with more expedition. They have either had a
sop from the King of Prussia, or they want an animating dram from France
and Austria. The King of Prussia's conduct always explains itself by the
events; and, within a very few days, we must certainly hear of some very
great stroke from that quarter. I think I never in my life remember a
period of time so big with great events as the present: within two months
the fate of the House of Austria will probably be decided: within the same
space of time, we shall certainly hear of the taking of Cape Breton, and
of our army's proceeding to Quebec within a few days we shall know the
good or ill success of our great expedition; for it is sailed; and it
cannot be long before we shall hear something of the Prince of Brunswick's
operations, from whom I also expect good things. If all these things turn
out, as there is good reason to believe they will, we may once, in our
turn, dictate a reasonable peace to France, who now pays seventy per cent
insurance upon its trade, and seven per cent for all the money raised for
the service of the year.</p>
<p>Comte Bothmar has got the small-pox, and of a bad kind. Kniphausen diverts
himself much here; he sees all places and all people, and is ubiquity
itself. Mitchel, who was much threatened, stays at last at Berlin, at the
earnest request of the King of Prussia. Lady is safely delivered of a son,
to the great joy of that noble family. The expression, of a woman's having
brought her husband a son, seems to be a proper and cautious one; for it
is never said from whence.</p>
<p>I was going to ask you how you passed your time now at Hamburg, since it
is no longer the seat of strangers and of business; but I will not,
because I know it is to no purpose. You have sworn not to tell me.</p>
<p>Sir William Stanhope told me that you promised to send him some Old Hock
from Hamburg, and so you did not. If you meet with any superlatively good,
and not else, pray send over a 'foudre' of it, and write to him. I shall
have a share in it. But unless you find some, either at Hamburg or at
Bremen, uncommonly and almost miracuously good, do not send any. Dixi.
Yours.</p>
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<h2> LETTER CCXXIII </h2>
<h3> BLACKHEATH, June 13, 1758. </h3>
<p>MY DEAR FRIEND: The secret is out: St. Malo is the devoted place. Our
troops began to land at the Bay of Cancale the 5th, without any
opposition. We have no further accounts yet, but expect some every moment.
By the plan of it, which I have seen, it is by no means a weak place; and
I fear there will be many hats to be disposed of, before it is taken.
There are in the port above thirty privateers; about sixteen of their own,
and about as many taken from us. 237</p>
<p>Now for Africa, where we have had great success. The French have been
driven out of all their forts and settlements upon the Gum coast, and upon
the river Senegal. They had been many years in possession of them, and by
them annoyed our African trade exceedingly; which, by the way, 'toute
proportion gardee', is the most lucrative trade we have. The present booty
is likewise very considerable, in gold dust, and gum Seneca; which is very
valuable, by being a very necessary commodity, for all our stained and
printed linens.</p>
<p>Now for America. The least sanguine people here expect, the latter end of
this month or the beginning of the next, to have the account of the taking
of Cape Breton, and of all the forts with hard names in North America.</p>
<p>Captain Clive has long since settled Asia to our satisfaction; so that
three parts of the world look very favorable for us. Europe, I submit to
the care of the King of Prussia and Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick; and I
think they will give a good account of it. France is out of luck, and out
of courage; and will, I hope, be enough out of spirits to submit to a
reasonable peace. By reasonable, I mean what all people call reasonable in
their own case; an advantageous one for us.</p>
<p>I have set all right with Munchausen; who would not own that he was at all
offended, and said, as you do, that his daughter did not stay long enough,
nor appear enough at Hamburg, for you possibly to know that she was there.
But people are always ashamed to own the little weaknesses of self-love,
which, however, all people feel more or less. The excuse, I saw, pleased.</p>
<p>I will send you your quadrille tables by the first opportunity, consigned
to the care of Mr. Mathias here. 'Felices faustaeque sint! May you win
upon them, when you play with men; and when you play with women, either
win or know why you lose.</p>
<p>Miss———marries Mr.———-next week. WHO
PROFFERS LOVE, PROFFERS DEATH, says Weller to a dwarf: in my opinion, the
conclusion must instantly choak the little lady. Admiral marries Lady;
there the danger, if danger is, will be on the other side. The lady has
wanted a man so long, that she now compounds for half a one. Half a loaf—</p>
<p>I have been worse since my last letter; but am now, I think, recovering;
'tant va la cruche a l'eau';—and I have been there very often.</p>
<p>Good-night. I am faithfully and truly yours.</p>
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