acquisition on the side of Government, than on his. Office adds
dignity and respect to some men; others, who derive no dignity from
it, generally lose by it. This I think Lord G.'s case. He seemed to
speak with much more weight, before he was in office. The Ghost of
Mindon is for ever brought in neck and shoulders to frighten him
with. Willes (Wilkes) and Sawbridge have attacked him more than once
with the British Cavalry; and thus, he must either turn absolute
knight errant, or else put up quietly with constant affronts.

The news-papers must have given you the general features of this
year's politics. The complexion of them, I own, is somewhat altered;
and so much, that I dare say you will hardly know 'em again. You
will soon grow used to them, however, and upon very little
acquaintance, will be as intimate with them as ever. So much for the
affairs of the Nation. You, who hear no politics, will be astonished
at this boar (sic), but must excuse it from me, who hear nothing
else.

Indeed, there is another operation which breaks in upon this
subject, i e., the game of Commerce. Lady Betty has taken to this
game, and she makes all the world, bon gre, malgre, play at it till
five o'clock in the morning. I live there almost; what with Balls,
Bt (?), Tessier, Commerce, Supper, and Quinze, I am never out of the
house. They have invited me to go to the Oaks, this Christmas, but
if Castle Howard is too far, the Oaks, I assure you, will be much
farther. I rather think I shall go for a fortnight to Bath. You have
heard of Gen. Scott's death. George's motto for his achievement is
--sic Dice placuit; and for his sarcophagus--Dice Manibus, &c. . . .

(135) The American Prohibitory Bill, to prevent trade and