36 To the Countess of Upper Ossory [1774
I have been in Gloucestershire, and can add a little to the
catalogue, having seen Berkeley Castle, Thornbury Castle,
and a charming small old house of the abbots of Gloucester.
Indeed I could not enjoy the first, for the Earl was in it
with all his militia, and dispelled visions. To Wentworth
Castle I shall certainly make no visit this year. If I went
any journey it would be to Paris; but indolence persisting
in her apprehensions of the gout, though I have had no
symptoms of it for some time, will fix me here and here-
abouts. I discover charms in idleness that I never had
a notion of before, and perceive that age brings pleasures as
well as takes away. There is a serenity in having nothing
to do, that is delicious: I am persuaded that little princes
assumed the title of Serene Highness from that sensation.
Your assured friend,
HOEAOE LE FAINEANT.
Given at our Castle of Nonsuch, Aug. 23, 1774.
Salute our trusty and well-beloved the Palsgrave1 on
our part.
«
1555. To THE COUNTESS OP UPPER OSSORY.
Strawberry Hill, Monday night, Aug. 28, 1774
YOUE Ladyship's letter did not arrive till I was gone to
Goodwood, and sat here quietly till I returned to-night,
for as my voyages and travels are seldom, longer than
a parenthesis, I never oblige my dispatches to follow me.
Though you do not ask, I am sure you wish to know what
I heard of the Duchess of Leinster \ Not a word was men-
tioned. Last night the Duke received a letter to tell him
LHTTIBK 1664. — * Mason's friend, married secondly (about this time)
the Rev, William Palgrave. William Ogilvie, her sons' tutor.
LETTER 1655.—1 JEmilia Lennox, The match was strongly disapproved
widow of the first Duke of Leinster, of Tby her family,