Page:The Wentworth Papers 1715-1739.djvu/498

 48o THE WENTWORTH PAPERS.

��[Capt. Powell.]

August <)i:^) 1733. My Lord,

I had troubled your lordship long ere this, but that I knew you were so much in motion of late it wou'd be un- certain of meeting you. I am sorry to do it now, by way of condolance for the loss of dear Lady Wentworth, tho' 'tis no more then what might have been expected some years agoe, yet I am perswaded every one is concern'd at it that knew her, and your lordship in particular, who has lost the most affectionate mother that ever was. I always thought her my friend, and she show'd it to the last, by several inquirys she made after me 2 or 3 days before her death. I shall put on my decent sable, and sail up to-morrow to pay my last duty to her dear remains. I believe I shou'd have avoided that ceremony (had not Mr. Wentworth desired me) because I know I shall be more sencebly touch'd at it then can be imagin'd. Since even now I find how it affects me at what I write, I am to blame for dweling so long on this melancholy subject, but pray forgive me, for I can not help it.* I am

almost entirely at Twickenham, receiving an annuity of 200/. from her son. Her quarterly acknowledgments of the amount have been carefully preserved along with many other vouchers for the Earl's disbursements, including receipts from grocers, bootmakers, tailors, lawyers, the Sun Fire Office, the Governor and Company of Undertakers for raising the Thames Water at York Buildings, &c. One receipt in Lord StraiTord's handwriting, and signed only by Lady Wentworth, runs thus : —
 * In the latter part of her life Lady Wentworth appears to have lived

June y^ lo"* 1728. Received of my son Strafford ten pound in part of my Quarter due next midsummer. I hope God will forgive him for paying me before it is due and breaking his resolution but it is because he is going into the country and I promise to be a better manger {sic) for the future and never to ask him before my quarter is due only this time My son Peter took advantage of my good nature and weedled me out of six and twenty shining w*^*" I fear he will never pay me.

ISABELLA WENTWORTH. Twickenham parish register records her burial there on August 10, 1733.

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