BATH,December 13,1762.
MY DEAR FRIEND:Yesterday I received your letter,which gave me a very clear account of the debate in your House.It is impossible for a human creature to speak well for three hours and a half;I question even if Belial,who,according to Milton,was the orator of the fallen angels,ever spoke so long at a time.
There must have been,a trick in Charles Townshend's speaking for the Preliminaries;for he is infinitely above having an opinion.Lord Egremont must be ill,or have thoughts of going into some other place;perhaps into Lord Granville's,who they say is dying:when he dies,the ablest head in England dies too,take it for all in all.
I shall be in town,barring accidents,this day sevennight,by dinnertime;when I have ordered a haricot,to which you will be very welcome,about four o'clock.'En attendant Dieu vous aye dans sa sainte garde'!
