Page:The Wentworth Papers 1715-1739.djvu/261

 LETTERS OF LORD BERKELEY OF STRATTON. 241;

��[Lord Berkeley of Stratton.]

January 11, 1712.

I had the happyness of a letter from your Lordship at a time when I least expected it, dated the day that we thought the Congress was to begin, which I find now was put off for some days, but I hope you will now soon enter upon the business, and accomplish it to your wishes. Prince Eugene I suppose hath altered his plan, since he finds the D. of Marlborough out of all his places, and they say he will stay here but a little while. There are mighty crowds in a morning to see him, and he is invited every day about to dinner and is I think generally liked. He dines to day at the D. of Ormond's, who is yet only general of the forces in England. The D. of Marlborough is very uneasy at the report of the Commissioners of Accounts, and they say, with reason, for that there will be open'd such a scene of corruption as never was known. However Mountains often bring forth mice, tho" noe body can doubt his greediness hath got the better of his understanding. There hath gone about a most impertinent lye concerning your Lordship, of some of your letters being intercepted to I doe not know who in France, with God knows what in them, and that you were order'd to goe away, as Count Gallas was here. Tho' I was sure it was a most notorious lye, it was soe often repeated, that I askd My Lord Poulct about it, and found with great satisfaction, not only the falseness of the report, but that your whole behaviour was intirely approved by the Ministers.

I am afraid Mr. Powell never received my letter, which I should he sory for, because I shall be undone if he does not now and then send me word how your Lordship does, when I cannot hope to hear it from your self. I begun to write late, or your Lordship had had a longer trouble.

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