MAJOR SEMPLE LISLE. I^ 



dred miles from the Duchefs's), to acquaint mc 

 with the Prince's orders, and to haften my 

 journey. 



The inftant I met the courier I left my fa- 

 mily to come forward as their heavy carriages 

 would permit them ; and proceeded with the 

 utmoft rapidity to the Duchefii's houfe. She 

 exprefled much fatisfaclion at my arrival, and 

 the great anxiety the length of my abfence had 

 ^iven her on account of the Prince's want of 

 me. Without more iofs of time I fet oif for 

 St, Peterlburgh. I immediately went to Sir 

 James Harris, who feemed hurt at my delay, 

 and told me that there were inftrudlions for me 

 at the War Office, but that Potemkin was gone: 

 he preffed my departure to follow the Prince, 

 adding, (for I will ufe his own words,) "You 

 ^* may make your own terms with him ; he 

 ** cannot do without you." 



I went immediately to court, and received 

 inftrudiions to wait her~ Majefty's difpatches, 

 with which I was to follow the Prince to Cher- 

 fon, who had taken the circuitous road of 

 Warfaw. Having received thefe direcflions, 

 ^nd not being able to leave St. Peterfburgh 

 without the commands of the Emprefs, I wrote 

 a letter to my wife, to endeavour to foothe the 

 feelings which an amiable, virtuous, and affec- 

 tionate woman mult naturaljy feel at the depar- 

 ture 



