Page:The Wentworth Papers 1715-1739.djvu/238

 222 the wentworth papers.

[Lady Strafford.]

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

, ., . I am to go to night to Court with Lady ' Stiffback.' I am told that the night before the Parhament meet the Queen sent for the D. of Kent and talked to him a good while, and the next day he voted with the Tories. ... I have heard of a wedding which is to be next week, 'tis Lady Mary Thynn to Mr. Grinvill. Lady Oxford, Lady Betty Harley, and Mrs. Massam cam hethere together to night, and Lady ' Stiffback ' brought her sister Benson to see me. I have here sent the Lord N m's ballet.

[Peter Wentworth.]

London, December 11, 1711. Dear Brother,

There was some people of opinion that the vote of the house of Lords might be retrieved the next day, but I hear all the ministry was not intire of that mind, so 'twas not pust in earness. Lord North and Grey open'd the debate and said he cou'd not tell whether 'twas very regular, but he hop'd since what had happen in the house of Commons was sufficient for them to think of some expedient to alter what had past their house yesterday by so small a majority as one. I believe he was surprised to find so long a Pause after his speech, and that when Lord Jernsey that had voted with him the day before declared that tho' he had voted that the advise that was given shou'd not stand part of the address, but now 'twas carried by a majority 'twas not Parliamentary, when they thought they had muster'd up more of their opinion, to endeavour to alter it. Then some lords desired if it was to stand part of the address, that they might have the liberty to protest, and 'twas answered readyly, yea, yea ; then the Speaker said " is it your pleasures that this advise stands part of your address," and the noise for the affirmative was

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