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 98 THE WENTWORTH PAPERS.

upon the Duke of Barwick's Army and had totally routed them, and that the Duke was mortally wounded, and by the next post they expected to hear of his death.

22 August^ 1709.

The town is very empty and no manner of news but a fresh talk of Peace being as good as concluded, and I find few people that beleives you are gone to Carlsbad, some fancy you are gone upon some Secreet affair with King Augustus, Coll S* Peirre's immagination has sent you to the Zare of Moscovy, and this day in the Amsterdam news I read you were agoing to Vienna in the Room of S'' Philip Meadows, the Date of that paper is the 30th August, N.S.

Mrs. Davers daughter is made a Bedchamber Woman, wch my sister Arundel had hopes of, and I am sorry for the dis- appointment, all her comfort is theres six now wch add to the number of a chance for a Vacancy. The Queen sent for the Dutchess from London to present Bell Davers, till when her grace had not been there since the Queen was at Windsor. The town talk as if the Dutchess has thoughts of resigning the Groom of the Stole, and that upon the condition lady Sunderland shou'd succeed her, but they say the Duke of Sommersett contess the matter for his Dutchess wch is what

keeps the Dutchess of M from quiting. The Duke of

Sommerset does keep close to Windsor, I don't think he has been three days absent this season. 'Tis certain the Dutchess has not nor does not designe to be much at Windsor, but I believe the talk of her resigning is nothing but town talk ; her house in the Priory advances prodigiously, 'tis - now a covering.

[Lady Wentworth.]

December q, IT oc).

Dearist and best of children, I wish you a merry Crismas

and a hundred happy new years .... Lady Comten will

not yet see Lord Dorsett, her grandson, .... Lady Shas-

bury is .... a pryvit Gentlewoman of noe great famely, her

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