[250] Young Mr. Edward Carter, son of Mr. Montagu’s head agent. He was petitioning for his brother, Mr. William Carter, to have a company of Marines, he being in that service through Mr. Montagu’s influence. [251] Mr. Sandys. [252] These men to receive British pay. [Page heading: ORATORIOS] Mrs. Montagu writes to the Duchess of Portland-- “I am now in the highest content: my little brothers are to go to Westminster, as soon as the holidays are over, and what adds still to my pleasure in this, is that Jacky’s going is owing to Mr. Montagu’s intercession for him with my Father, who did not design his going to Westminster till next year: our youngest,[253] I believe, is to go out with our new Captain.... “I am pretty well, but I do not like to sit still like Puss in the corner all the winter to watch what may prove a mouse, though I am no mountain. I cannot boast of the numbers that adorn our fireside, my sister and I are the principal figures; besides there is a round table, a square screen, some books and a work basket, with a smelling bottle, when morality grows musty, or a maxim smells too strong, as sometimes they will in ancient books. “I had a letter to-day from Mr. Montagu, in which he flatters me with the hopes of seeing him at Christmas.” [253] Charles to accompany his brother Robert. In a letter of Mrs. Pendarves of December 9 from Clarges Street, where she was living, she tells Mrs. Montagu, “Handel is to have six oratorios in Lent. The operas are dull, the plays for one part well acted, ten are wretched, but Garrick is excellent.” [Page heading: HER HUSBAND’S CHARACTER] About this time Elizabeth writes a long letter to the Rev. William Freind, her cousin, portions of which I give. She says--