concile the conduct of Ministry in the
management of this campaign to my own feelings, or the plan (so far
as I understand it from common report) of reconquering Brabant for
the Emperor by an Austrian army in British pay, or of assisting
Holland by a force of the same nature on which the experience of
two campaigns shows how little we can depend, I have not thought it
fair to withhold these opinions from you, having stated them to my
other brother as soon as I heard of your mission (and from public
report of the objects of it) to Vienna. But be assured, my dear
brother, that I do not feel the less warmly for your credit, and
for the success of your negotiation (whatever it may be) as far as
the question is personal to yourself. I have always seen, with very
sincere regret, your talents useless to the public; and I am happy,
on every account, that you have found an opportunity of showing
them in co-operation with my brother William, who seemed so happy
in this proof of your confidence and affection.

I feel, as I ought, your anxiety about the yeomanry. I have the
satisfaction of hearing that they go on very well, but of course
meeting very seldom, because of the harvest. Their numbers,
however, increase; and are, as near as can be, as follows:

Captains. Lieutenants. 2nd ditto. Qr. Masters. Numbers.
Lt.-Col. Grenville Fremantle Grubb ---- 47
Praed Mansell Higgins Cooch 60
Sir J. Dashwood W. Hicks T. Mason Clarke 43
Drake K. Mason Clerk ---- 37
Sir W. Young Ch. Clowes L. Way Quanne 29

Most of them have got their swords, and have returned their
pistols, which were most scandalously bad; they have got their
appointments, and (except Young's troop) they come on very well. I
am, however, tied by the leg to Weymouth, while the King is here,
and cannot stir. He is in wonderful health; but very unruly as to
the common precautions which ought to be taken, and which keep me
in constant hot water, notwithstanding our incessant rains. Lord
Howe passed Portland yesterday with thirty-three sail of the line,
and three Portuguese ships; of which one ran foul of the
'Barfleur,' and stove in her bows so as to force her to return to
Portsmo