The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

Extract of a Letter from a Gentleman at Ilminster in Somersetshire, to his Friend in London, dated August 12.

"Notwithstanding the many accounts we have to the contrary in the news papers, we cannot help giving credit to the testimony of our own eyesight, which informs us, that the Lords North and Chatham are now, and have been for some time, in this neighbourhood. You will imagine we cannot choose but smile, when we read of a man, who had the effrontery to sign his name, and to challenge the parties themselves to contradict it, while he asserts, that the Minister visited Lord Rockingham in Grosvenor Square, on a day, whereon several of his neighbours dined with him at Dillington. L. Chatham, so far from having had frequent conferences with the King at St. James's, has conferred with nobody for these six weeks past, but his Bailiff and his Carpenter: and has been meditating the downfall, not of Administration but of an old Pigeon-house, which obstructs his view of Sedgmoor."

"I believe you never saw his Lordship's house at Burton. It is certainly a very surprising edifice; and perhaps furnishes one with no imperfect idea of the Administration which it might be supposed this great man would form, in case he were allowed to direct the coalition. Part of Sir William Pynent's old house is standing in the middle of the structure; and this is composed of materials quite different, both in appearance and reality, from those of the new building. Some of the Rooms are large and magnificent, whilst the rest are so extremely poultry and the whole is so irregular, discordant, and confused, that it seems literally and truly a house divided against itself; & in general the people here apprehend that it cannot stand."

"Alderman Oliver has, for more than a fortnight past, been on a visit at Mr. Collier's, a few miles from this place: though, I think it is said he treated the Officers of the third Regiment of Guards with turtle on Tuesday last. I know not whether you have any acquaintance with this Gentleman; but I am informed that he is a very amiable man, & a pleasing companion."