supped on Wednesday evening. He is a descendant of the Speaker
Smith, and son of that Mr. Ashton whom we saw at Trentham, or whom I
saw there the first'time I went, and who was an evidence against me
at Oxford 30 years ago--a sad rascal; but the son is un garcon fort
honnete, and he received me with extraordinary marks of civility and
good breeding.

We have the same relations, and his house was furnished with many of
their pictures. There was one of a great grandmother of mine, who
was the Speaker's sister, painted by Sir P. Lely, that was one of
the best portraits I ever saw. I wish Sir J. Reynolds had been there
to have told me why those colours were so fine and looked as if they
were not dry, while all his are as lamb (sic) black in comparison of
them. I am to have a copy of this picture next spring.

I shall appoint Gregg on Monday to meet me on business, and I will
therefore defer talking upon that subject till I have seen him.
Storer dined with me to-day. Hare and Charles I am told have lost
everything they had at Newmarket. General Smith has been the winner.
Richard also is stripped. No company in town as yet, or news. I have
been writing Gloucester letters to-night about this damned contest
till I am blind, so I must be short. Ridley has assured me that he
has sent the books.

Have you read the Anecdotes of Me du Barri? They are to me amusing.
The book is I think a true picture of the latter end of the life and
court of that weak wretch Louis XV., not overcharged, and so many of
the facts being incontestable, you may take the whole story for a
true one, no one part being more improbable than another. Will you
have it sent? It is dear, half-a-guinea; un recit trop graveleux