Page:Diary of the times of Charles II Vol. I.djvu/216

100 Jack How, Sir Jervois How's brother, a young amorous spark of the Court, has for some months declared a very great veneration for the Duchess of Richmond; but her Grace neither regarding Will of the Wisp nor his feigned fires, has at length converted the Squire's soft passion into revenge. Whereupon, he has of late reported that he has had several testimonies of her kindness, as well by letters as otherwise. As soon as the Duchess understood this malicious report, she forthwith made her application to the King, who was pleased to refer the examination of the matter to the Duke of Monmouth, the Earl of Essex, my Lord Sunderland, and the Earl of Halifax. Upon inquiry, their Lordships found that, amongst the many evidences of her Grace's favour that Mr. How had boasted of, he could only produce one letter, which the King, as soon as he saw, said was neither her hand nor style; whereupon his Majesty was pleased to give order that he forthwith refrain from coming to Court. Since my last of the 29th, we have had every day fresh supplies of Aldermen from the city, who come hither to confirm themselves and fellow-citizens of the King's condition.