BLACKHEATH,September 12,1766.
MY DEAR FRIEND:I have this moment received your letter of the 27th past.
I was in hopes that your course of waters this year at Baden would have given you a longer reprieve from your painful complaint.If I do not mistake,you carried over with you some of Dr.Monsey's powders.Have you taken any of them,and have they done you any good ?I know they did me a great deal.I,who pretend to some skill in physic,advise a cool regimen,and cooling medicines.
I do not wonder,that you do wonder,at Lord C-----'s conduct.If he was not outwitted into his peerage by Lord B----,his accepting it is utterly inexplicable.The instruments he has chosen for the great office,I believe,will never fit the same case.It was cruel to put such a boy as Lord G---over the head of old Ligonier;and if I had been the former,I would have refused that commission,during the life of that honest and brave old general.All this to quiet the Duke of R----to a resignation,and to make Lord B----Lieutenant of Ireland,where,I will venture to prophesy,that he will not do.Ligonier was much pressed to give up his regiment of guards,but would by no means do it;and declared that the King might break him if he pleased,but that he would certainly not break himself.
I have no political events to inform you of;they will not be ripe till the meeting of the parliament.Immediately upon the receipt of this letter,write me one,to acquaint me how you are.
God bless you;and,particularly,may He send you health,for that is the greatest blessing!