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1774] To Sir Horace Mann 63

secure boroughs, as my Lord is in neglecting, I fancy they
will allow now that his intellects are not quite so sound as
they imagined. If Lady Orford asks you any questions,
you may mention the state of the case in gentle terms;
Mr. Sharpe, I conclude, will be more narrative.

In the midst of this combustion, we are in perils by land
and water. It has rained for this month without inter-
mission ; there is a sea between me and Kichmond, and
Sunday was se'nnight I was hurried down to Isleworth
in the ferry-boat by the violence of the current, and had
great difficulty to get to shore. Our roads are so infested
by highwaymen, that it is dangerous stirring out almost
by day. Lady Hertford was attacked on Hounslow Heath
at three in the afternoon. Dr. Eliot was shot at three
days ago, without having resisted; and the day before
yesterday we were near losing our Prime Minister, Lord
North; the robbers shot at the postillion, and wounded the
latter. In short, all the freebooters, that are not in India,
have taken to the highway. The Ladies of the Bed-
chamber dare not go to the Quean at Eew in an eveaing.
The lane between me and the Thames is the only safe
road I know at present, for it is up to the middle of the
horses in water. Next week I shall not venture to London
even at noon, for the Middlesex election is to be at Brent-
ford, where the two demagogues, Wilkes and Townshend,
oppose each other; and at Kichmond there is no crossing
the river. How strange all this must appear to you
Florentines; but you may turn to your Machiavel and
Guicciardin, and have some idea of it. I am the quietest
man at present in the whole island ; not but I might take
some part, if I would. I was in my garden yesterday,
seeing my servants lop some trees; my brewer walked in
and pressed me to go to Guildhall for the nomination of
members for the county. I replied, calmly, 'Sir, when



	1774] To Sir Horace Mann 63 secure boroughs, as my Lord is in neglecting, I fancy they will allow now that his intellects are not quite so sound as they imagined. If Lady Orford asks you any questions, you may mention the state of the case in gentle terms; Mr. Sharpe, I conclude, will be more narrative. In the midst of this combustion, we are in perils by land and water. It has rained for this month without inter- mission ; there is a sea between me and Kichmond, and Sunday was se'nnight I was hurried down to Isleworth in the ferry-boat by the violence of the current, and had great difficulty to get to shore. Our roads are so infested by highwaymen, that it is dangerous stirring out almost by day. Lady Hertford was attacked on Hounslow Heath at three in the afternoon. Dr. Eliot was shot at three days ago, without having resisted; and the day before yesterday we were near losing our Prime Minister, Lord North; the robbers shot at the postillion, and wounded the latter. In short, all the freebooters, that are not in India, have taken to the highway. The Ladies of the Bed- chamber dare not go to the Quean at Eew in an eveaing. The lane between me and the Thames is the only safe road I know at present, for it is up to the middle of the horses in water. Next week I shall not venture to London even at noon, for the Middlesex election is to be at Brent- ford, where the two demagogues, Wilkes and Townshend, oppose each other; and at Kichmond there is no crossing the river. How strange all this must appear to you Florentines; but you may turn to your Machiavel and Guicciardin, and have some idea of it. I am the quietest man at present in the whole island ; not but I might take some part, if I would. I was in my garden yesterday, seeing my servants lop some trees; my brewer walked in and pressed me to go to Guildhall for the nomination of members for the county. I replied, calmly, 'Sir, when