Page:The Wentworth Papers 1715-1739.djvu/168

 152 THE WENTWORTH PAPERS.

his not being at the Cabinet Council since he came to town, but I find he has really not been sommons'd, and they talk here affresh that he'll certainly be out, and the Duke of Shrewsbury Master of the Horse, and Lord Jersey Chamberlin ; and they will have it that Lord Rotchesster, has a party distinct from Harley and the Duke of Shrewsbury. All I know is that Lord Rotchester seem'd to be very great with the Duke of Shrewsbury and that he always dines there when he comes to Hampton Court, and Sunday after dinner they retir'd from the company that drank tea with the Dutchess, and sett talking in the Window for above half an hour, and so I left them very earness in discourse. Lord Rivers I hear landed Saturday but he was not at court yesterday. They talk very dismally of General Stanhope who they say has carry'd his men on but won't know how to get them back again, for we have accounts from Portugal that they will send none of there troops to join them. Sir George Bink and Mr, Methin brought me to town in their coach, and Methin was lamenting that 'twas feard we shou'd be forc't to leave the Seige of Air, and he shou'd be the more sorry because in all likely wou'd

'twou'd be the Last of the Duke of M actions abroad

but there's an express come in wch says the town is sur- render'd and he tells me the news I writ of Lord Peter- borough's being made General of the Marines is true. I have been told that the Dean of Christ Church in Oxford have writ to a great man that they ought not to put any trust in that spaun of a presbiterian Harley, may be the High Church may be provok't with the orders Lord Chamberlin has given all the parsons that preach before the Queen not to entertain her with politicks. I know this to be given into order for the Dutchess of Shrewsbury told me so, and they are all told it before they have leave to go into the pulpit. Some of the Duke of Ormond's friends give out words as if they were very cordiall towards Harley and Mrs. Masham for they think 'twas them defer'd his being made Lord Leiutenant of Ireland so long, and that the Duke was given to under stand that he shou'd address himself to Mr. Harley, wch they say he cou'd not bring himself to do. I have seen him tho' very often take

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