536 LEAVES THEY HAVE TOUCHED. 



Elgin, and the famous collector of the Elgin Marbles. It was written 

 at Milan in 1791, where he was at the time in an official capacity, 

 and it is addressed to Lord Auckland, Ambassador .at Paris, appris- 

 ing Mm of current events and rumours. "We find ourselves at once 

 breathing the diplomatic atmosphere. Several distinguished European 

 personages are named. I transcribe from the original autograph : 

 "My dear Lord: I was really mortified to learn from my servant, 

 who left London on the 24th May, that your Lordship was not then 

 in England, as that persuasion had prevented me sending you, as I 

 otherwise most certainly should have done, some direct notion of the 

 progress of my present negotiations. It were totally superfluous in 

 me to trouble your Lordship with any details of what has now been 

 so long in London ; and I am very sorry to say that, as yet, nothing 

 positive has been further done. The minute of a Treaty formed at 

 Sistovo, and containing eighteen articles, threatens an unfortunate 

 delay and many unpleasant discussions. The Emperor has it in his 

 power to prevent them. I don't think myself far wrong in my belief, 

 that He wishes to do so. But we well know, that is not all that's 

 requisite for its being done. At this moment He is in possession 

 of answers from England and Berlin, on my communications from 

 Florence. I delivered them to Him on Sunday. But unfortunately 

 His decision is suspended, or rather his reply is suspended, till the 

 arrival of a messenger, who is announced from Vienna. I am not 

 sanguine in my expectations from the dispatches he may bring. The 

 more so, as he has been detained by some proposals, or intelligence 

 brought to Vienna, by Ot. Buhler, a confidential man with Potemkin. 

 I have no other but general grounds, for auguring ill. But you'll 

 allow, they are not favorable. When I adverted to the ratification of 

 your Convention, I received for answer, Gela s' ary-angera, and that 

 the Archduchess was on her way with D. d' Albert to the Nether- 

 lands, where they were to receive the oath of allegiance. You may 

 depend on my obeying the further instru.ctions I have received on 

 that head. But from what I can learn here, your neighbourhood is 

 becoming a very interesting scene in other views. We are told here 

 that the Ct. d'Artois is drawing nearer to Brusselles. All the 

 French are following Him from Italy. The Prince Lambescq arrived 

 here on Sunday, and proceeds towards the Rhine to-morrow. I have 

 to acquaint you, on the authority of a French person of distinction, 

 that we mean to take all the West India Islands ; that fifty sail of 



