Page:The Wentworth Papers 1715-1739.djvu/307

 LETTERS OF LADY STRAFFORD. 29I

They tell me he will be prosequeted for his first paragraph. Capt. Cicil told me there was he and several others proposed to get the fellow to a Tavern and beat him soundly for his impudence to you. Others said 'twas doing the fellow, at least those that set him on, too much honour to take notice of him ; 'tis the same man that writs the Observator. By this you may see the parties' spleen begins to work against you, but 'tis well their malice does not prompt them to say worse. They cannot deny you to have courage, and are

desparately afraid you'll succeed in your undertaking

The Parliament was this day prorogued till the last of this month. My Lord Bullingbrook was introduced this morning. Mr. VValpool is come out of the Tower, but met with a dis- appointment, for he had no musick nor dinner prepared for him by the Hanover Club ; and there was the last Tuesday was fortnight, which proving only an adjournment, he was forc't to stay in till now. At St. James's Coffee house they expect the Dutch will hold and stand fast by the Emperor and conquor France this summer by themselves. I din'd with my Lord Bathurst to-day and my aunt desir'd me to wish you joy of being First Commissioner of the Admiralty.

[Lady Strafford.]

St. James's Square, July 18, 17 12.

.... All the news I know is the Duke of Beaufort is so ill Dr. Ratlife says he can't live a month, tho' he goes a brode; but the Dr. says his loungs are touched ocationed by former drinking. I beg of you for my sake as well as your own that you wont drink, for tho' you dont presently find the effects of it you see by the Duke of Beaufort what ill conse- quences comes after it. Perhaps you will think me very im- pertenant to pretend to advice you, but never the less whan I think your helth concerned I cant forbare .... Lord Rivers has writ to severall of his friends from the Bath that he is much better than when he went down. Here is four nam'd for Garters, Lord Treasurer, Duke of Kent, your self, and Lord Pawlct. I find non of the Court cares for Lord Pawlet.

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