第385章 LETTER CCLXXII

LONDON,October 19,1764.

MY DEAR FRIEND:Yesterday morning Mr.-----came to me,from Lord Halifax,to ask me whether I thought you would approve of vacating your seat in parliament,during the remainder of it,upon a valuable consideration,meaning MONEY.My answer was,that I really did not know your disposition upon that subject:but that I knew you would be very willing,in general,to accommodate them,so far as lay in your power:

that your election,to my knowledge,had cost you two thousand pounds;that this parliament had not sat above half its time;and that,for my part,I approved of the measure well enough,provided you had an equitable equivalent.I take it for granted that you will have a letter from ------,by this post,to that effect,so that you must consider what you will do.What I advise is this:Give them a good deal of 'Galbanum'

in the first part of your letter.'Le Galbanum ne coute rien';and then say that you are willing to do as they please;but that you hope an equitable consideration will be had to the two thousand pounds,which your seat cost you in the present parliament,of which not above half the term is expired.Moreover,that you take the liberty to remind them,that your being sent from Ratisbon,last session,when you were just settled there,put you to the expense of three or four hundred pounds,for which you were allowed nothing;and that,therefore,you hope they will not think one thousand pounds too much,considering all these circumstances:but that,in all events,you will do whatever they desire.

Upon the whole,I think this proposal advantageous to you,as you probably will not make use of your seat this parliament;and,further,as it will secure you from another unpaid journey from Dresden,in case they meet,or fear to meet,with difficulties in any ensuing session of the present parliament.Whatever one must do,one should do 'de bonne grace'.'Dixi'.God bless you!