pass but for very scrubby people; a bold assertion, and a great deal
of dirt thrown, although by a very mean hand, must inevitably have a
disagreeable effect.

The night robberies are very frequent. Polly Jones, my neighbour,
was a few nights ago stopped, when the chair was set down at
Bully's(26) door, and she robbed of 12 guineas.

Lady Bolingbroke has sent her resignation to the Queen, who wrote
her a very gracious letter upon it. Bully kisses hand[s] to-morrow;
the others soon after. Lord Gower(27) is the only one who has kissed
hands as yet. Fanshaw is not to be in Parliament, so there is so
much money saved to him, and his pension consequently in greater
security.

I am glad that there is so much care taken of Rover. I think, if he
has the good fortune to survive Alps, &c., and ever come to Castle
Howard, that he has an establishment for life, and may be a
toad-eater of Stumpy's.

I had a letter yesterday from Sir J. Lambert,(28) who says he can
contrive to send the Badge safely. I hope he sends my letters
regularly. March is still at Lord Spencer's, where he amuses
himself, as he tells me, excessively.

I will write more after dinner, when I hope to be more amusing to
you. I am glad for your sake and mine that they are still in town. I
shall not forget to faire valoir tous vos beaux sentiment. I'm
persuaded that I shall not be thought borish upon that subject.