which will in all likelihood be transferred from

--

them directly to himself the prefent fyftem being to remove that phalanx of great people, which ftood betwixt the throne and the fubjects, and fuffer them to have immediate accefs without the intervention of a cabal (this is the language of others): however, the King gives every thing himself, knows every thing, and weighs every thing maturely, and then is inflexible this puts old ftagers off their game -how it will end we are all in the dark.

'Tis feared the war is quite over in Germany; never was known fuch havoc amongst troops I was told yesterday by a colonel from Germany, that out of two battalions of nine hundred men, to which he belonged, but feventyone are left! Prince Ferdinand has fent word, 'tis faid, that he must have forty thousand men directly to take the field and with provifions for them too, for he can but fubfift them for a

fortnight I hope this will find you all got to York I beg my compliments to the amiable Mrs. Croft, &c. &c.

Tho' I purposed going first to Golden-Square, yet fate has thus long difpofed of me

fo I have never been able to fet a foot towards that quarter.

I am, dear Sir,

Your's affectionately,

L. STERNE.

LETTER XIV.

MY DEAR SIR,

TO THE SAME.

[About Jan. 1761.]

I HAVE just time to acknowledge the favour of yours, but not to get the two prints you mention which fhall be fent you by next post - I have bought them, and lent them to Mifs Gilbert, but will affuredly fend for them and enclose them to you: - I will take care to get your pictures well copied, and at a moderate price. And if I can be of further use, I befeech you to employ me; and from time to time will send you an account of whatever may be worth transmitting. The ftream now fets in strong against the German war. Loud complaints of

making a trade of the war, &c. &c. much expected from Ld. Granby's evidence to these matters, who is expected every hour: the King wins every day upon the people, fhews himself much at the play (but at no opera), rides out with his brothers every morning, half an hour after seven, till nine - returns with them, fpends an hour with them at breakfast and chat and then fits down to bufinefs. I never dined at home once fince I arrived -am fourteen dinners deep en gaged juft now, and fear matters will be worfe with me in that point than better. As to the

main points in view, at which you hint - all I can say is, that I see my way, and unless Old Nick throws the dice - fhall in due time come off winner. I THIN Triftram will be out the twentieth There is a great rout about him before he enters whether this will be of ufe or no, I fome wits of the firft magnitude here,

the ftage

can't fay

both as to wit and station, engage me fuccefs

your obliging letter, nothing has happened, or been faid one day, which has not been contradicted the next; fo having little certain to write, I have forebore writing at all, in hopes every day of fomething worth filling up a letter. We had the greateft expectations yesterday that ever were raised of a pitched battle in the Houfe of Commons, wherein Mr. Pitt was to have entered and thrown down the gauntlet, in defence of the German war. There never was fo full a house the gallery full when lo!

to the top I was there all the day

a political fit of the gout feized the great combat

ant he entered not the lifts

Beckford got

up, and begged the house, as he faw not his right honourable friend there, to put off the debate it could not be done, fo Beckford rofe up, and made a most long, paffionate, incoherent fpeech, in defence of the Germanic war - but very fevere upon the unfrugal manner it was carried on

in which he addreffed himself principally to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and laid him on terribly. It feems the chancery of Hanover had laid out 350,000 pounds on account, and brought in our treafury debtor and the grand debate was, for an honeft examination of the particulars of this extravagant account, and for vouchers to authenticate it. Legge answered Beckford very rationally and coolly. Lord N. spoke long Sir F. Dafhwood maintained the German war was most pernicious Mr. C, of Surry, fpoke well against the account, with fome others. L. Barrington at last got up, and spoke half an hour with great plainnefs and temper explained a great many hidden fprings relating to thefe accounts, in favour of the late King, and told two or three converfations which had paffed between the King and himself, relative to these expences

which caft great honour upon the King's cha racter. This was with regard to the money the King had fecretly furnished out of his pocket to leffen the account of the Hanover-fcore brought us to discharge.

for

Beckford and Barrington abufed all who fought peace, and joined in the cry for it; and Beck

ford

ford added, that the reafons of wishing a peace now, were the fame as the peace of Utrecht that the people behind the curtain could not both maintain the war and their places too, so were for making another facrifice of the nation to their own interefts After all- the cry for a peace is fo general, that it will certainly end in one. Now for myself.

One half of the town abuse my book as bitterly, as the other half cry it up to the skies — the best is, they abuse and buy it, and at such a rate, that we are going on with a fecond edition as fast as poffible.

I am going down for a day or two with Mr. Spencer to Wimbleton; on Wednesday there is to be a grand affembly at Lady N------ I have enquired every where about Stephen's affair, and can hear nothing. My friend, Mr. Charles Townfhend, will be now fecretary of war* - he bid me with him joy of it, though not in poffeffion I will ask him and depend, my moft worthy friend, that you fhall not be ignorant of what I learn from him. Believe me ever, ever,

Yours,

L. S.

* He was appointed Secretary at war the 24th of March

1761.