His notions about the warm drink were
a little whimsical: he imagined it relaxed the tone of the
stomach; and this would undoubtedly be the case if it was drank
in large quantities, warmer than the natural temperature of the
blood. He alledged the example of the inhabitants of the Ladrone
islands, who never taste any thing that is not cold, and are
remarkably healthy. But to balance this argument I mentioned the
Chinese, who scarce drink any thing but warm tea; and the
Laplanders, who drink nothing but warm water; yet the people of
both these nations are remarkably strong, healthy, and long-lived.
You desire to know the fate of my books. My lord H - d is not yet
come to France; but my letter was transmitted to him from Paris;
and his lordship, with that generous humanity which is peculiar
to his character, has done me the honour to assure me, under his
own hand, that he has directed Mr. N - lle, our resident at Paris,
to apply for an order that my books may be restored.
I have met with another piece of good fortune, in being
introduced to general Paterson and his lady, in their way to
England from Nice, where the general has been many years
commandant for the king of Sardinia.
