intercourse between the American Colonies and Great Britain and the
West Indies.



(1775?) Dec. 19, Tuesday.--I write to you before dinner, and before
I have all the opportunities which I might have before night of
sending you news, for fear that it should happen as it did last
Saturday, that I fall asleep, and so let pass the hour of the post.
The cold drives me to the fire, and the fire into a profound nap, in
which every earthly thing is forgot; but it shall happen no more,
that a post goes without something to indicate my existence.

Last night and the night before I supped at Lady Betty Stanley's.
Their suppers are magnificent, but their hours are abominably late;
however, they do not discourage my Lord of Worcester from staying
them out. We are very merry, all of us, and I think Mrs. North the
merriest of us all. At 2 this morning, the Bishop and I were almost
left alone; the rest of the company were in their domino's, and
going to the Masquerade. I have seen nobody to-day to tell me what
passed there.

I have been with Mie Mie at Gainsborough's,(136) to finish her
picture. I thank you for inquiring after her; it has been one of my
comforts that she has escaped any of these colds. She seems to grow
very strong; so far, so good.

Sir G(eorge) M'Cartney and Lady Holl(an)d dined here yesterday, and
we had the contrivance to keep our party a secret from Craufurd,
for, although he was engaged to two other places, he told March that