“We are all out by six in the morning in our chaises, and go three miles to the Geronsterre waters. We come home by nine, and take a cup of chocolate, dine between 12 and 1, go to the Assembly at 4, where there are all countries, and all languages, half a dozen card tables, and no crowd; from the Assembly we take a walk in the Capucins garden; all are in before 8 to supper, and to bed at 10.” [Page heading: PRINCESS MARY OF HESSE] Princess Mary[112] of England had been married in May to the Prince of Hesse.[113] The prince did not come to England, so her brother, the Duke of Cumberland, acted proxy. The following account is of gifts given to the princess’s suite who accompanied her to Hesse:-- “The Duchess of Dorset[114] has had fine presents upon going over with the Princess of Hesse. The Prince presented her with a gold teapot, tea-kettle, and lamp, and Lady Caroline Sackville[115] with a set of Dresden china and a diamond solitaire. The Duchess had likewise a set of Dresden teacups, and a service of Dresden China, and the King gave her a gold snuffbox with a thousand pounds Bank bill in it.” [112] Princess Mary, daughter of George II. [113] Frederick, Landgrave of Hesse Cassel. [114] Wife of 1st Duke of Dorset, _née_ Elizabeth Colyear. [115] Daughter of the Duchess of Dorset, afterwards Countess of Dorchester. In a letter to Sarah Robinson of August 11, mention is made of-- “a mask at Cliefden, on Princess Augusta’s[116] birthday; ‘The Story of Alfred,’ wrote by Thomson[117] and Mallet,[118] Mr. Grenville commends it and says it will be published. I own I cannot give much credit to it, for I rather imagine he commends it as a patriot than a judge. I never knew anything of Thomson’s that seemed to be wrote, or could be read, without great labour of the brain.... Lord and Lady Oxford are to come here next Monday, (Bullstrode), and stay a month. Lord Dupplin has made a copy of verses upon my going into the bath, which we would impute to Sandys[119] to his great amazement. He says he does not know who wrote them, but thinks he is very sure he did not.” [116] Daughter of George II., born 1737. [117] James Thomson, born 1700, died 1748; poet, wrote “The Seasons,” etc. [118] David Mallet, Scottish poet, patronized by Pope; died 1765. [119] A well-known lady’s doctor. [Page heading: MONKEY ISLAND] August 25, Elizabeth writes to her father--