nt.

I went from dinner yesterday to the House of Commons, and came just
time enough to be in a division upon some American question, God
knows what. I was received in the House with a laugh, because three
parts out of four believed me to be with you in Ireland, as bouffon
de la Cour. This the morning papers had instructed them to believe,
and such is the notion I believe that the writers of those papers
have of my talents and turn. You have not told me that Lady Carlisle
is with child, but I hear it from other hands. Be so good as not to
let me be ignorant of these probable events, in which my affection
to her and to you is so much interested.

I sat a great while the other morning with Miss Gunning at St.
James's; Sir Robert was with her. She is afraid of having the
measles; her sister has them at present. The Ball at Glouc(ster)
House was magnificent, and their Royal Highnesses gracious al
maggior segno. They call the others, "the people in Pall Mall," and
the man in Pall Mall calls the Duke(160) "the Warden of the Forest,"
and distinguishes him by no other name. I wonder that they do not
let other people find names for them both, who know them better than
they do themselves.

64
(161) is to be a fine sight, that is, a great concourse of people
will be there, I suppose, on their Majesties' account. Mie Mie wants
to go. If the Townshends, that is Mary and Lady Middleton, had
offered to be troubled with her, I should have consented and gone
there myself. I have made no preparations for the Birthday, but
thinking where I shall go to avoid it; or for yours, but I will;
Storer shall dine with me that day, et ceux que je crois vous etre
les plus attaches, and we will drink the health of their
Excellencies, cela du petit dauphin, of my dear little Caroline, et
ainsi du reste. Pierre tells me that she is not so tall as Mie Mie
is at present; en dedommagement de cela elle est cent mille fois
plus robuste. As to myself, j'ai un management pour ma sante
incroyable. For I am determined, if it pleases God, to live to see
you and all of you again, but when or where, that must be left to
the chapter of accidents. Emily has left off writing to me; he wrote
to me twice pour faire votre eloge, ce qui ne fut fort peu
necessaire, and there was an end of his epistolary correspondence.
Pray goad that Dean(162) who slumbers in his stall, and make him
write. . . .

(160) Of Gloucester.

(161) In the time of George III. and up to