And in the way of making ropes from sand, it must be owned there never was such twisting and untwisting, as that appointed Hanbury.

Who in fact broke his heart by it;--and died mad, by his own hand, before long.
[Hanbury's "Life" (in _Works, _vol.iii.) gives sad account.] Poor soul, after all!--Here are some Russian Notices from him (and he has many curious, not pertinent here), which are still worth gleaning.
PETERSBURG, 2d OCTOBER, 1755....

"The health of the Empress [Czarina Elizabeth, CATIN DU NORD, age now forty-five] is bad.

She is affected with spitting of blood, shortness of breath, constant coughing, swelled legs and water on the chest; yet she danced a minuet with me," lucky Hanbury.

"There is great fermentation at Court.