Thomas Gray to William Mason, [23 May 1765]

In my way into the remote parts of the North I mean to make you a visit at York. probably you will see me there on Wednesday next in the evening. it is your business to consider, whether you have a house & a bed for me, for I shall stay there a week perhaps, if you continue agreeable so long. I have been in Town this month, every day teeming with prodigies. I suppose you receive expresses every three hours, & therefore I pass over the Regency-bill, the Weaver's petition, the siege of Bedford-House, the riot on Ludgate-Hill, the royal embassy to Hayes, the Carte-Blanche refused with disdain, the subversion of the Ministry, wch fights to the last gasp, & afterwards, like the Man, che combattea, ed era morto, & yet stands upon its legs, & spits in its Master's face to this day, because no body will deign to take its place; the House of Commons standing at gaze with its hands before it; the House of Lords bullying the Justices of Peace, and fining the Printers; the King —— &c: &c: o o the rest is left to oral tradition.