50.

Vienna, August 14, 1773.

I HOPE that your Majesty [Footnote 1: O. Jahn remarks that this
epithet is a reminiscence of a fantastic game that often amused
the boy on his journeys. He imagined a kingdom, the inhabitants
of which were endowed with every gift that could make them good
and happy.] enjoys the best state of health; and yet that now and
then--or rather sometimes--or, better still, from time to time--
or, still better, qualche volta, as the Italians say--your
Majesty will impart to me some of your grave and important
thoughts (emanating from that most admirable and solid judgment
which, in addition to beauty, your Majesty so eminently
possesses; and thus, although in such tender years, my Queen
casts into the shade not only the generality of men but even the
gray-haired).

P. S. This is a most sensible production.



51.

Vienna, August 21, 1773.

When we contemplate the benefit of time, and yet are not entirely