BRAND

(1730-1803, Diplomat, Ambassador at Naples, husband of Emma) apologising for not writing sooner but thinking that you rather got than lose, by my not plaguing you with my tedious letters, and as I wrote to Mrs Hamilton not long since, I considered that letter as partly to you, I hope Mrs H's health is by this time perfectly re-established, as she flattered me some time ago that it was much mended. I will not attempt to give you an account of. my journey since my departure from Naples, as I have since that time travelled over such a tract of country that my narration would be as tiresome as endless. All I can say is that was I my own master I would willingly go double the distance to have the pleasure of paying my respects to my friends at Naples. Townsend and myself have passed the last five weeks very agreeably partly at the court of the Elector Palatin, and the remainder at Hannau with our old princess the Landgrave, and her Son and his family. The Landgrave is a jolly little old woman very like her father in person, she knows every little bit of scandal that passes in London by means of her correspondence with her sister the Princess Amelia, and she seems to take great delight in retailing it. Her son and his wife a Princess of Denmark are very agreeable unaffected people... We staid here a little longer than we intended in order to be present at the Princess's birthday which was very splendid it is astonishing to see how all the little German princes live... he lives in the most magnificent manner, and is remarkably civil to all English tho' he keeps the Germans at an immense distance, which makes him rather disliked by those, who are not his subjects. After having taken leave of these courts we embarked at Francfort on board a yacht which is to carry us to Cologne from whence we propose going to Spar and from Spa to the Hague where if you have any commands you may direct to m chez Messrs Moiler fils Banquiex, and no one will be more happy to obey..., 3 sides 4to., From on board a Yacht on the Rhine, 18th July