Page:The Wentworth Papers 1715-1739.djvu/234

 2l8 THE WENTWORTH PAPERS.

his assistance, and connives at her doing him good offices. I told this news of Britain being Envoy to BerHn to some Gentlemen that I thought were very much his friends, and they cry'd out immediately Bretain is a very pretty fellow, but no more fitt for a Minister then any of them, and con- sidering his birth and education, very unfitt for that Court who pique them selves upon quality ; if they shou'd find out, that he was always reckon 'd a bastard and had been page to two several Lords, lett him have the Eloquence of an Angel they wou'd hear him with prejudice. The Queen has changed her Drawing room nights, there are to be now tuesday and friday. She begins to night.

��[Lady Strafford.]

St. James's Square, December ii,, 171 1.

.... I could freely live all the year round in a desart with only you, and say with a great sinceirity

I wou'd not envy kings there state Nor once desire a happier fate.

I'm afraid you'll think I am turned poet .... Lady Pawlet and I am very well togethere and Lady ' Stiffback ' * in her formall way. I am to day to goe to a very od figure of a Lady that's Lord Treasurer's who is like an old house keeper, but I hear Lord Treasurer takes it as a compliment paid to him for she seldom goes a brode, so I am content'd to do it in hopes it may be of service to you. I last week met the Duchess of Marlborough and the Duchess of Mountague in a viset and they both looked upon me with the most spleen and mallis I ever see peaple. I own I think they may envy me but I envy nobody, for as you and I love won anothere all things elce in this world are but Triffles. I believe sister Wentworth is now more extravagant then ever for fear the

question, who it appears afterwards is Lady Dartmouth. She was Anne Finch, daughter of Lord Guernsey, afterwards first Earl of Aylesford.
 * " Lady Strafford gives a somewhat coarser nickname to the lady in

�� �