that either grieves or pleases her, and pray when you have an opportunity tell her so. Nothing has surprised me more, than the flights of young Mr. Van ;* it is the mother of whom he is the picture, that works within him. Good God! if old Van was to hear that his son stood for a county, and kept thirteen bay coach horses, he would rise out of his grave to disinherit him. Major Mathews is certainly an unpopular and disagreeable man, and if Mr. Van spends his money freely, I should not despair of his election, I am sorry he stood against Mr. Morgan's judgment, but my brother Hanbury does right in supporting him with all his power. I am much obliged to you for the accounts you' give me about the Monmouth turnpike, which is a thing of the utmost consequence to me, and my estate. I am glad to hear people begin to open their eyes in our part of the world, upon so plain a public good, and I long to hear * Vaneck. the result of the meeting at Usk, if the roads are perfectly well mended, all passengers from Gloucester to South Wales, will naturally come through Monmouth and Abergavenny, and if another road was made from Monmouth to Cardiff, it would be of great benefit to those parts. To me in particular, it would be as agreeable as useful, it would bring me with pleasure to my own House, and make Coldbrook three hours nearer to Newland; and I flatter myself that you and I shall often sit at Coldbrook park gate to watch the coming by of the Caermarthen stage-coach. I am delighted with your description of Piercefield. I intend to be acquainted with Mr. Morris as soon as I come to England, for my brother Hanbury shall mix me no more in his quarrels. I beg in your next, that you would be very particular about the roads, and I desire to know, whether the map of Monmouthshire is yet finished, for it was undertaken by the same man that made that of Herefordshire, before I came out of England. As I do not doubt Lord Gage's readiness to serve you, I will most heartily join myself to him, in doing every thing I can to reward your merit and satisfy my friendship, though I am still of opinion, that if those gentlemen who signed the letter to the Duke of Newcastle, would have pursued their request by personal application, you must have been provided for long ago. Myhealth, as I told you in my last, is established; but a Diarrhoea which lasted a twelvemonth has impaired my constitution very much. I often wish to retire, but do not think I have fortitude enough to endure it long. Your old neighbour Tom Windham, is always before my eyes: the more one advances in years, the more precious time grows, and I cannot think of murdering my remaining ones, as he did in reading and sleeping; when one is in the world, one's thoughts and wishes are for a retreat, when one is in retirement, our worldly desires crowd back upon us. The step out of business into what is called tranquillity is easily made; but the contrary is always attended with awkwardness, a little shame, and much difficulty. I think myself as capable to live alone as most people; but even on that point, I am conscious of my own weakness, and I am always uneasy, when I think that Coldbrook is but ten measured miles from Pontpool. I suppose, as I am an ambassador, you expect a paragraph of politics from me, know then that our affairs mend on the continent, that the king of Prussia like another Gustavus Adolphus, has taken arms for the defence of his own countries, for the support of the liberties of Europe, and the salvation of the Protestant religion. Know also that with 40,000 men, and himself at the head of them (which is at least 20,000 more). He has in a pitched battle beat the Flower of the Austrian army, though it was almost double to him in number, and to his eternal glory know, that if he has the laurel upon his head, he carries the Olive Branch in his hand and offers peace wherever he goes. three greatest powers in The threats of the frightening him from his designs, made him execute them more early, his plan and the execution of it is all his own. He is king, minister, and general, and posterity as well as the present age will be surprised to hear that -tot sustinuit et tanta negotia Solus. I wish as heartily as you do, that you could spend a few months with me at Petersburg; but there is a great Gulph between us, and as it is almost impossible you should come to me, wait with patience till I come to you, and expect with pleasure to see my cheerful face at Coldbrook. Imagine you see me at the head of the table, with a daughter on each side of me, and yourself saying grace at the bottom, with a haunch of hunted venison, and a plate of onions and butter placed before you, and 1 |