anuary 11, 1789.

Sir,

My last letters were of the 14th, 19th, and 29th of November, by the way
of London. The present will go the same way, through a private channel.

All military operations in Europe seem to have been stopped, by the
excessive severity of the weather. In this country, it is unparalleled
in so early a part of the winter, and in duration, having continued
since the middle of November, during which time it has been as low as
nine degrees below nought, that is to say, forty degrees below freezing,
by Fahrenheit's thermometer; and it has increased the difficulties of
the administration here. They had, before, to struggle with the want of
money, and want of bread for the people, and now, the want of fuel for
them, and want of employment. The siege of Oczakow is still continued,
the soldiers sheltering themselves in the Russian manner, in
subterraneous barracks; and the Captain Pacha has retired with his
fleet. The death of the King of Spain has contributed, with the insanity
of the English King, to render problematical the form which the affairs
of Europe will ultimately take. Some think a peace possible between the
Turks and two Empires, with the cession of Crimea to the former, as less
important to Russia than Poland, which she is in danger of losing. In
this case, the two Empires might attack the King of Prussia, and the
scene of war be only changed. He is certainly uneasy at the accident
happened to his principal ally. There seems no doubt, but that the
Prince of Wales will be sole regent; but it is also supposed, they
will not give him the whole executive power, and particularly, that of
declaring war without the consent of the parliament. Should his personal
dispositions, therefore, and that of a new ministry, be the same which
the King had, of co-operating with Prussia, yet the latter cannot count
on their effect. Probably, the parliament will not consent to war, so
that I think we may consider the two great powers of France and England
as absolutely at rest for some time.

As the character of the Prince of Wales is becoming interesting, I have
endeavored to learn what it truly is. This is less difficult in his
case, than in that of other persons of his rank, because he has taken no
pains to hide himself from the world. The information I most rely on,
is from a person here, with whom I am intimate, who divides his time
between Paris and London, an Englishman by birth, of truth, sagacity,
and sc